U VISA - NOimmigrant

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.

You may be eligible for a U nonimmigrant 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 (see
glossary for definition of ‘next friend’).
 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

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.

If you, the principal are... Then...

You may petition on behalf of your spouse,
children, parents, unmarried siblings under age
Under 21 years of age 18
You may petition on behalf of your spouse and
21 years of age or older children.

To petition for a qualified family member, you must file a Form I-918, Supplement A,
Petition for Qualifying Family Member of U-1 Recipient, at the same time as your
application or at a later time.

The limit on the number of U visas that may be granted to principal petitioners each
year is 10,000. However, there is no cap for family members deriving status from the
principal applicant, such as spouses, children, or other eligible family members.

When U nonimmigrant status is granted, it is valid for four years. However,

extensions are available in certain, limited circumstances if the extension is:

 Needed based on a request from law enforcement,

 Needed based on exceptional circumstances,
 Needed due to delays in consular processing, or
 Automatically extended upon the filing and pendency of an application for
adjustment (application 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, and
 You have not unreasonably refused to provide assistance to law enforcement
since you received your U visa.

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/