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U Visa - Victim of Crime

Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status

The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. 

U Visa Eligibility

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You may be eligible for a U Visa if:

  • You are the victim of qualifying criminal activity.

  • You have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity.

  • You have information about the criminal activity. If you are under the age of 16 or unable to provide information due to a disability, a parent, guardian, or next friend may possess the information about the crime on your behalf;

  • You were helpful, are helpful, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. If you are under the age of 16 or unable to provide information due to a disability, a parent, guardian, or next friend may assist law enforcement on your behalf.

  • The crime occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws.

  • You are admissible to the United States. If you are not admissible, you may apply for a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility on a Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant.

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Qualifying Criminal Activities

  • Abduction

  • Abusive Sexual Contact

  • Blackmail

  • Domestic Violence

  • Extortion

  • False Imprisonment

  • Female Genital Mutilation

  • Felonious Assault

  • Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting

  • Hostage

  • Incest

  • Involuntary Servitude

  • Kidnapping

  • Manslaughter

  • Murder

  • Obstruction of Justice

  • Peonage

  • Perjury

  • Prostitution

  • Rape

  • Sexual Assault

  • Sexual Exploitation

  • Slave Trade

  • Stalking

  • Torture

  • Trafficking

  • Witness Tampering

  • Unlawful Criminal Restraint

  • Other Related Crimes*

*Includes any similar activity where the elements of the crime are substantially similar.

*Also includes attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the above and other related crimes.

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Filing for Qualifying Family Members

Certain qualifying family members are eligible for a derivative U visa based on their relationship to you, the principal, filing for the U visa. The principal petitioner must have their petition for a U visa approved before their family members can be eligible for their own derivative U visa.

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Applying for a Green Card

You may be eligible to apply for a Green Card (adjustment of status/permanent residence) if you meet certain requirements, including:

  • You have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least three years while in U nonimmigrant status. 

  • You have not unreasonably refused to provide assistance to law enforcement since you received your U visa.

 

FEATURED EXPERIENCE:

Successfully completed more than fifteen (15) U Visa - Victim of Crime cases.

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Contact Us 

To discuss your U Visa - Victim of Crime case with an experienced Jacksonville immigration attorney from Gjoka Law Firm, feel free to contact us by email at ardian@gjokalawfirm.com or call us at 904-351-8749.

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