Reviewed September 17, 2026.
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U nonimmigrant status, often called a U visa, may provide temporary immigration protection to certain victims of qualifying criminal activity who suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and were helpful, are helpful, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement or another authorized agency.
Being the victim of a crime, making a police report, or receiving a certification does not guarantee approval. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) decides the petition and reviews every eligibility requirement, the supporting evidence, admissibility, and discretion.
Basic U visa eligibility requirements
In general, the principal applicant must show that:
- the person was a victim of qualifying criminal activity or substantially similar activity;
- the person suffered substantial physical or mental abuse because of that activity;
- the person has credible and reliable information about the criminal activity;
- the person was, is, or is likely to be helpful to a certifying agency;
- the activity occurred in the United States or violated U.S. law; and
- the person is admissible or qualifies to request an available waiver.
Age, incapacity, and other circumstances can affect who may provide information or cooperate for the victim. A person who was culpable for the qualifying criminal activity generally cannot qualify as that crime’s victim for this purpose.
Which crimes may qualify?
Federal law lists categories that include domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, stalking, kidnapping, extortion, blackmail, felonious assault, trafficking, involuntary servitude, false imprisonment, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, perjury, and other named crimes. Attempts, conspiracies, solicitations, and certain criminal activity with substantially similar elements may also qualify.
The title used in a Connecticut police report or state criminal statute does not decide federal U visa eligibility by itself. The conduct, facts, harm, and legal elements must be compared with a qualifying federal category.
Form I-918 Supplement B certification
A principal petition normally must include Form I-918, Supplement B, signed by an authorized official at a certifying agency. The certification addresses the criminal activity, victimization, and whether the person was, is, or is likely to be helpful in detection, investigation, prosecution, conviction, or sentencing.
A certifying agency has discretion whether to sign. A signed certification does not grant immigration status, employment authorization, or final approval. Only USCIS decides the U visa petition. A police report, protective order, or letter from an attorney does not automatically replace Supplement B.
Before requesting certification, identify the agency with authority over the matter, the person authorized to sign, the available records, and any inconsistency that must be explained. Never invent, exaggerate, or omit information to obtain a signature.
Review the current USCIS Form I-918 page and official Supplement B instructions.
Documents and evidence that may matter
A filing may include:
- the current Form I-918 and signed Supplement B;
- a detailed personal statement describing what happened;
- police reports, protective orders, court records, and agency correspondence;
- relevant medical or mental-health records;
- photographs, messages, emails, lawfully obtained recordings, or other documentation;
- statements from witnesses or professionals;
- evidence of physical, emotional, family, work, or educational effects;
- records showing cooperation with authorities;
- identity documents and complete entry, exit, and immigration records; and
- certified arrest and court dispositions for the applicant, if any.
Not every person will have every type of evidence. The explanation should be honest and consistent with the records that exist.
Inadmissibility and Form I-192
Immigration and criminal history still matter. Entries without inspection, prior removal orders, false statements, certain arrests, and other facts may create inadmissibility issues. Some principal and derivative U applicants may request a waiver using Form I-192, but no waiver is automatic and not every problem has the same solution.
Obtain and review the complete record before answering immigration-history questions or filing a waiver. If the person has repeated entries without inspection, read our guide to multiple EWI entries and future relief. If the person missed immigration court, also review in absentia removal orders.
Bona fide determination, the waiting list, and work authorization
USCIS may review certain pending petitions through the bona fide determination process. A favorable determination may result in deferred action and an opportunity to request employment authorization, but it is not final U status approval.
Federal law limits the number of principal U-1 grants each fiscal year. A petition that is otherwise eligible but cannot be granted because of the cap may be placed on a waiting list. Processing times change, and historical averages do not promise how long an individual case will take.
USCIS explains that adjudication of certain Form I-765 applications connected to a U petition begins only after a bona fide determination, waiting-list deferred action, or approval. Do not rely on a fixed work-permit date promised by an unverified person or website.
Qualifying family members
Certain family members may be requested through Form I-918, Supplement A. The categories depend in part on the principal petitioner’s age when filing:
- for a principal under 21, possible derivatives can include a spouse, children, parents, and certain unmarried siblings under 18; and
- for a principal age 21 or older, possible derivatives can include a spouse and children.
The relationship, age, marital status, location, admissibility, and safety of each family member must be reviewed separately.
U visa, VAWA, and T status are different
A U visa focuses on victims of qualifying criminal activity and requires certification. VAWA may allow certain abused spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens or permanent residents to self-petition without relying on the abuser. T status concerns severe forms of human trafficking and has different requirements.
Some people should evaluate more than one option. Do not choose a process based only on a crime’s name or informal advice. Read our information about VAWA and immigration protection for survivors and immigration waivers.
Confidentiality and safe planning
Crime-victim cases require careful handling of addresses, telephone numbers, mail, and online accounts. Tell the attorney if another person controls your mail, telephone, or devices. In immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 800-799-7233 and by texting START to 88788.
Speak with a U visa lawyer in Connecticut
M.C. Law Group reviews qualifying criminal activity, certification, helpfulness, evidence, inadmissibility, and derivative family members. We offer a brief free telephone evaluation. A complete legal consultation by video or at our primary Fairfield office is a paid appointment.
Call 203-373-9080 or use our contact form. Do not give original documents or sensitive information to an unverified person. An initial evaluation does not create an attorney-client relationship, and no result is guaranteed.
