The U visa was created specifically to encourage crime victims to help law enforcement without fear of deportation. If you were a victim of a qualifying crime in the US, have suffered substantial harm, and have helped or are willing to help investigators or prosecutors, you may qualify. This screener checks your situation against the core U visa requirements.
The U visa process involves working with law enforcement agencies to get a certification. An immigration attorney can guide you through each step, help you understand your rights, and make sure your application is complete.
The U nonimmigrant visa was created by Congress specifically to protect immigrant crime victims who cooperate with law enforcement. It provides temporary legal status and work authorization for up to 4 years, and after 3 years of continuous U status, holders can apply to adjust to permanent residency through a green card. The U visa is also available regardless of how the applicant entered the US or their current immigration status, which makes it one of the few relief options open to people regardless of prior immigration violations.
The U visa is distinct from the TPS and asylum pathways, though some victims may qualify for more than one. It's also different from the VAWA self-petition, which specifically covers abuse by a US citizen or green card holder spouse or parent rather than crime victimization more broadly.
The U visa covers a specific list of qualifying criminal activities defined in the statute, including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, kidnapping, rape, abusive sexual contact, extortion, felonious assault, and more. The crime must have violated US law or occurred in the US or its territories. Both direct victims and, in certain circumstances, indirect victims, such as a parent of a minor child who was the primary victim, can qualify depending on the facts.
One of the most distinctive requirements of the U visa is a law enforcement certification, filed as part of form I-918 Supplement B, signed by a federal, state, or local law enforcement official certifying that the applicant has been, is being, or is likely to be helpful in investigating or prosecuting the qualifying crime. Getting this certification can be the hardest step practically, since it depends on a government agency's cooperation. An attorney can help navigate which agency to approach and how to request it. Our separate deportation defense screener covers other relief options that may apply if a certification is difficult to obtain.
Congress caps U visa grants at 10,000 per fiscal year. This cap is consistently reached, meaning approved applicants are placed on a waiting list for the actual visa issuance, sometimes for several years. While on the waiting list, USCIS can grant deferred action and work authorization in the interim, providing practical protection even before the visa number becomes available.