U Visa for Crime Victims
Protection and a Path to Status for Crime Victims
The U visa is a critical form of protection for noncitizen victims of certain crimes who have suffered abuse and been helpful to law enforcement. With an annual cap of 10,000 visas creating processing delays of 4-5 years, expert guidance is essential to prepare a strong application, secure your place on the waiting list, and obtain work authorization while you wait.
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U visa for crime victims — quick answer
The U visa, created by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and codified at INA § 101(a)(15)(U), is for noncitizens who suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as victims of qualifying criminal activity and have been, are, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement. Congress capped principal U-1 visas at 10,000 per fiscal year (INA § 214(p)(2)). Because demand vastly exceeds the cap, full adjudication often takes 5 to 7+ years; USCIS issues bona fide determinations with deferred action and EADs while petitions are on the waitlist (8 CFR § 214.14(d)).
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Our Services
U Visa for Crime Victims Services We Provide
- U Visa Eligibility Assessments for crime victims in CT & NY
- Law Enforcement Certification (Form I-918, Supplement B) assistance
- I-918 Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status filing and support
- Bona Fide Determination and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications
- Derivative U Visas for qualifying family members
- Addressing Inadmissibility Issues with U visa applications
- U Visa Waiting List management and status updates
- Adjustment of Status from U Visa to Green Card
Why It Matters
The U Visa Path to Stability
This visa provides more than just status; it offers a lifeline to crime victims.
Protection from Deportation
A U visa provides temporary protection from removal proceedings while your case is pending and during your U visa status.
Work Authorization
A U visa allows you to work legally in the U.S. and support yourself and your family, often years before the visa is granted.
Path to a Green Card
After three years of continuous presence with U status, you and your qualifying family members can apply for lawful permanent residence.
Our Process
How We Handle Your U Visa for Crime Victims Case
- 1
Case Evaluation & Crime Assessment
We determine if the crime you suffered is a 'qualifying criminal activity' and assess your eligibility, including the 'substantial abuse' and 'helpfulness' requirements.
- 2
Law Enforcement Certification
We strategically engage with the certifying agency (police, prosecutor, etc.) to obtain the crucial Form I-918B law enforcement certification required for your petition.
- 3
Petition Assembly & Filing
We compile a comprehensive petition, including your personal declaration, the I-918B, and evidence of the substantial abuse you suffered, to present the strongest case possible.
- 4
Waiting List & Green Card Path
Once your petition receives a 'bona fide determination,' we help you secure work authorization. After 3 years in U status, we guide you through the process of adjusting to permanent residence.
Documents
What you'll need to file a U visa
Trauma-informed petitions take time to assemble. We help gather the certification and corroborating proof carefully and with discretion.
- • Form I-918, Supplement B law-enforcement certification (within 6 months of signing)
- • Petitioner's personal declaration describing the qualifying crime and substantial abuse
- • Identity documents — passport, birth certificate, and any prior I-94 records
- • Police reports, criminal-court records, and protective orders, if any
- • Medical, mental-health, and counseling records corroborating substantial abuse
- • Witness statements and affidavits from family, advocates, or shelter staff
- • Photographs of injuries or property damage where applicable
- • Form I-192 (waiver of inadmissibility) if any inadmissibility grounds apply
- • Form I-918 Supplement A and derivative documents for qualifying family members
- • Certified translations of any non-English evidence (8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3))
Common pitfalls
Where U petitions stumble
Stale Supplement B
Form I-918 Supplement B must be signed within 6 months of submission. Late or expired certifications draw RFEs and can require re-engaging the certifying agency.
Thin substantial-abuse showing
USCIS evaluates substantial physical or mental abuse under 8 CFR § 214.14(b)(1). Conclusory declarations without corroborating medical or counseling records often lose.
Missing I-192 waiver
Any inadmissibility ground requires a Form I-192 waiver under INA § 212(d)(14). Overlooking this step delays adjudication or triggers denial.
Helpfulness gap
Walking away from an active investigation can be deemed unreasonable refusal to cooperate. We document continuing willingness to help, even after the case closes.
Costs & fees
Fees for U-visa cases
Most U-visa fees are waivable on Form I-912 for petitioners who cannot pay. Attorney fees vary by case complexity — schedule a consultation for a tailored quote.
I-918 U petition
$0
No filing fee for principal or derivative U petitions
I-192 waiver
$1,100
Fee waivable on Form I-912 for indigent petitioners
I-485 adjustment (after 3 yrs)
$1,440
Per the 2024 USCIS fee rule (89 FR 6194)
By the numbers
Congress caps U-1 visas at 10,000 per fiscal year.
Under INA § 214(p)(2). USCIS's Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status page reports tens of thousands of pending I-918 petitions, producing multi-year waitlists. Since June 2021, USCIS's bona fide determination process has issued deferred action and EADs to qualifying petitioners while they await final adjudication.
“[The Secretary of Homeland Security] may grant [U nonimmigrant] status to an alien if ... the alien has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity ... [and] possesses information concerning [that] criminal activity ... [and] has been helpful, is being helpful, or is likely to be helpful to a Federal, State, or local law enforcement official ... investigating or prosecuting [that] criminal activity ...”
— Immigration and Nationality Act § 101(a)(15)(U)(i), 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U)(i)
FAQ
U Visa FAQ
Who qualifies for a U visa?
Under INA § 101(a)(15)(U), U nonimmigrant status is available to noncitizens who (i) have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of qualifying criminal activity, (ii) possess information concerning that criminal activity, (iii) have been helpful, are being helpful, or are likely to be helpful to a federal, state, or local law enforcement official investigating or prosecuting the criminal activity, and (iv) where the criminal activity violated U.S. law or occurred in the United States.
What is the annual U visa cap?
INA § 214(p)(2) caps the number of principal U-1 visas at 10,000 per fiscal year. Derivative family members (U-2 through U-5) do not count against this cap. Because demand far exceeds supply, USCIS uses a waiting list under 8 CFR § 214.14(d)(2).
How long is the U visa waitlist in 2025?
Wait time for full U-1 adjudication routinely exceeds 5 to 7+ years due to the 10,000 annual statutory cap and substantial pending inventory. Per USCIS's Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status page, USCIS conducts a 'bona fide determination' that may grant deferred action and an employment authorization document (EAD) while a petition remains on the waiting list.
What is Form I-918 Supplement B?
Form I-918 Supplement B is the U Nonimmigrant Status Certification, signed by a federal, state, or local certifying official (police, prosecutor, judge, or other qualifying agency) attesting that the petitioner has been, is being, or is likely to be helpful to the investigation or prosecution of the qualifying criminal activity. The Supplement B is required to file Form I-918.
Which crimes are 'qualifying criminal activity'?
Qualifying crimes are listed in INA § 101(a)(15)(U)(iii) and include (but are not limited to) domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, rape, kidnapping, felonious assault, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, and stalking, plus any similar activity. Attempt, conspiracy, and solicitation to commit any qualifying crime are also included.
Can U visa holders get a green card?
Yes. Under INA § 245(m), a U nonimmigrant who has been continuously physically present in the U.S. for at least three years in U status and who meets the other criteria may apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident on Form I-485.
Frequently Asked Questions
U Visa for Crime Victims FAQ
Related Topics
Related Immigration Topics
- VAWA Self-Petition — Alternative for spouse / child / parent abuse survivors
- Asylum & Refugee — Where persecution accompanies criminal harm
- Deportation Defense — Pursuing U status during removal proceedings
- Inadmissibility Waivers (I-192) — INA § 212(d)(14) waiver for U petitioners
- Marriage Green Card — Adjustment if married to a U.S. citizen / LPR
- Citizenship & Naturalization — N-400 path after U adjustment under INA § 245(m)
- Immigration Appeals — AAO review of denied I-918 / I-918B / I-192
Talk to an immigration attorney
Get clear answers about your immigration case
Schedule a confidential consultation with M. Riaz Musani. Offices in West Hartford, CT and Latham, NY. Multilingual representation in five languages.