U Visas

Widespread Protection For Crime Victims With U Visas

The U nonimmigrant status or U visa is there to help victims of crimes that have suffered mental or physical abuse and that are helpful, have been helpful, or may be helpful in the future to law enforcement or other government officials during the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.

To be eligible for this category it is necessary that the victim has suffered substantial mental or physical abuse in the United States.

It is also important that the victim has as much information and evidence of the crime as possible.

It is not necessary; however, that someone had been arrested or convicted of the crime. There is also no statute of limitations or time limit on how long ago the crime occurred.

The victim may apply for a U visa in the United States or outside the United States.

If you have an approved U Visa and you are outside of the United States you must apply for a U visa at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country of permanent residency. Interviews are generally not required if you are 13 and younger or over 80 years old; however, if you are between the ages of 14 and 79 an interview is almost always required.

The U Visa eligibility is determined by USCIS and not by law enforcement even though law enforcement is a very important part of the U visa process due to the fact that law enforcement is who determines whether you are a victim of a qualifying crime and whether you have been, are, and/or may be helpful to them in the future.

If you have been the victim of a crime and are willing to report the crime to law enforcement or if you have already reported it and have the police report please contact us to see if you are eligible for the U Visa.

If you need our assistance in reporting the crime or obtaining the police report for you, we can also help, please contact us and we will assist you as much as we can.