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U-Visa and VAWA: protection for victims

If you were the victim of a crime or abuse in the U.S., the law provides a path to a work permit and, in time, residency. We prepare your forms and organize your evidence with you, step by step, as assisted self-service: it is not legal representation.

Two paths

Which one fits your situation?

Form I-918

U-Visa

For victims of qualifying crimes (domestic violence, assault, kidnapping, among others) who suffered substantial physical or mental harm and cooperated with authorities in the investigation or criminal proceeding.

Requirements and benefits
Form I-360

VAWA

For spouses, children or parents who are victims of abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Allows self-petitioning without depending on the abuser.

Requirements and benefits
U-Visa

U-Visa: protection for crime victims

The U-Visa was created by Congress in 2000 to protect victims of certain serious crimes who suffered substantial physical or mental harm and who cooperate with authorities in the investigation or criminal proceeding. It is a humanitarian status that can lead to a work permit and, after three years, open the path to permanent residency.

General requirements

  • Have been the victim of a qualifying crime in the U.S. (domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, trafficking, among others).
  • Have suffered substantial physical or mental harm as a result of the crime.
  • Have information about the crime and have cooperated (or be willing to cooperate) with police, prosecutors or authorities.
  • Obtain the Form I-918, Supplement B Certification signed by a qualifying authority.
  • The crime must have occurred in the U.S. or violated U.S. laws.
  • Be admissible (or request a waiver with Form I-192 if applicable).

Benefits

  • Legal status for up to 4 years.
  • Automatic work permit (EAD) upon approval.
  • Ability to include qualifying family members (spouse, children and, in some cases, parents and minor siblings).
  • After 3 years with a U-Visa, you can apply for permanent residency (Green Card).
  • While you wait for a visa number, USCIS may grant deferred action and a work permit.

General process

  1. 1Organization of the evidence you provide.
  2. 2You request the I-918B certification from the authority (police, prosecutor or judge).
  3. 3Preparation of the package: I-918, personal statement, medical, police and harm evidence.
  4. 4You review and sign your application, and it is sent to USCIS. Timelines are long: the wait may take several years.
  5. 5Deferred action and work permit while waiting for the annual cap (10,000 per year).
VAWA

VAWA: self-petition for abuse victims

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), despite the name, applies to men and women. It allows certain domestic abuse victims to self-petition for residency without depending on the abuser and without the abuser being notified. It is a key tool when a U.S. citizen or permanent resident uses immigration status as a means of control.

Who can apply?

  • Spouse (or ex-spouse, in certain cases) abused by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Child under 21, unmarried, abused by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent.
  • Parent of a U.S. citizen 21 or older who has suffered abuse from the child.

Key requirements

  • Demonstrate the qualifying relationship (marriage, filiation).
  • Demonstrate that you lived with the abuser at some point.
  • Evidence of physical abuse or extreme cruelty (statements, medical or police reports, photos, witnesses, psychological evaluations).
  • Demonstrate good moral character.
  • For spouses: bona fide marriage (not for immigration purposes).

Benefits

  • Confidentiality: the abuser is not notified of the process.
  • Once the self-petition is approved, deferred action and a work permit.
  • A path to permanent residency (Green Card).
  • Ability to include children as derivatives.
  • Access to certain public benefits for victims.
Plainly

What we do and what we don't

We are a document preparation agency, not a law firm. For legal questions about your case, we recommend speaking with a licensed immigration attorney.

What we do

  • We organize the evidence and documents you give us.
  • We fill out the forms with the information you give us.
  • We put the package together for you to review and sign.
  • We tell you which documents are missing and keep you updated.

What we don't do

  • Decide whether you qualify: USCIS determines that.
  • Give you legal advice about your case.
  • Represent you before USCIS or immigration court.
  • Guarantee an outcome or a response time.
FAQ

Questions about the U-Visa and VAWA

General information. Every case is different and the decision is always USCIS's.

The U-Visa is for victims of certain crimes who cooperated with authorities, no matter who committed the crime, and requires the Form I-918, Supplement B certification. VAWA is for victims of abuse by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent or child, and allows self-petitioning with Form I-360 without depending on the abuser.

Federal law protects the confidentiality of VAWA and U-Visa applications: USCIS does not notify the abuser and cannot decide your case using only information that comes from the abuser.

For the U-Visa, yes: the authority that investigated or prosecuted the crime (police, prosecutor, judge or another agency) must sign Form I-918, Supplement B. You request it from that authority. VAWA does not require this certification.

The law allows 10,000 U-Visas per year for principal applicants, so the wait can take several years. In the meantime, USCIS may grant deferred action and a work permit. Current timelines are published on USCIS's processing times page.

No. USCIS decides. We prepare your forms and organize your evidence at your direction. To know whether you qualify, we recommend speaking with a licensed immigration attorney.

Ready to get started?

Message us today and we will help you prepare your documents step by step.