The U-visa (or U nonimmigrant status) is for victims of qualifying crimes who cooperate with law enforcement. Created by Congress in 2000 to encourage victims to report crimes without fear of deportation.

Official USCIS Fee (effective 2024-04-01)

Verified source: Federal Register 2024-01427

Fee: FREE

FREE — Form I-918 has no filing fee. It is a fee exemption, not a fee waiver, so no fee-waiver request (Form I-912) is needed.

Verify current fee

⚠️ USCIS fees can change. Verify the current fee before filing at:

Who qualifies

You must show:

  1. You were a victim of a qualifying crime in the US (or US-jurisdiction abroad)
  2. You suffered substantial physical or mental abuse from the crime
  3. You have information about the crime
  4. You have been, are being, or will likely be helpful to law enforcement in detection, investigation, prosecution, or conviction
  5. Law enforcement certification (Form I-918 Supplement B) signed by judge, prosecutor, or police

Qualifying crimes (list)

  • Domestic violence
  • Sexual assault
  • Rape
  • Trafficking
  • Stalking
  • Felonious assault
  • Witness tampering
  • Murder/manslaughter
  • Kidnapping
  • False imprisonment
  • Extortion
  • Female genital mutilation
  • Slavery
  • Forced labor
  • Solicitation of murder
  • Torture
  • Hostage situations
  • Witness tampering
  • Related crimes (perjury, obstruction)

The process

  1. Get law enforcement certification (Form I-918 Supplement B)

    • Approach prosecutor, judge, or police
    • They sign certifying you cooperated
    • This is the hardest step

  2. File Form I-918 (Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status)

    • Fee: $0 — USCIS charges no filing fee for Form I-918 or its Supplements A and B (Form G-1055, ed. 10/16/26), so no I-912 fee waiver is needed

  3. Wait for adjudication

    • CURRENT BACKLOG: 4-6 YEARS to be approved
    • 10,000 U-visas per year (cap)

  4. Deferred Action while waiting

    • You may receive Deferred Action (employment authorization eligible) while waiting
    • This protects from deportation

  5. U-visa approval

    • Valid 4 years
    • Work authorization
    • Can extend if necessary

  6. After 3 years of U-visa

    • Apply for green card via Form I-485

Family members can also qualify

  • Who can be included depends on the principal applicant’s age, under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U)(ii):
    • Principal under 21: spouse, children, parents, and unmarried siblings who were under 18 on the date the principal applied for U status.
    • Principal 21 or older: spouse and children only.
  • Family members are added on Form I-918 Supplement A

Critical strategic considerations

Get certification FIRST

  • Without Supplement B from law enforcement, you cannot file
  • Cooperation is required (you cannot refuse to testify)
  • Some law enforcement agencies routinely sign; others rarely do

Long wait protections

  • During the 4-6 year wait, you may receive Deferred Action and EAD
  • This is the practical benefit of U-visa for many years

There is no fee to waive

  • Asylum applicants and VAWA self-petitioners have fee waiver options via Form I-912. The U visa needs none: Form I-918, its Supplements A and B, and Form I-192 for U petitioners are all $0 (Form G-1055, ed. 10/16/26).

What if law enforcement won’t certify?

  • Some prosecutor’s offices have written policies on Supplement B signing
  • Some have “do not sign” policies (no remedy except moving to a friendly jurisdiction)
  • Some certify only for “very serious” crimes
  • Try multiple agencies if applicable

After U-visa expires or path forward

After 3 years of U-visa, you may apply for green card:

  • File Form I-485
  • No fee: Form I-485 filed for adjustment under INA 245(m) by a person seeking or granted U nonimmigrant status is fee-exempt (8 CFR 106.3, per the 2024 USCIS fee rule)
  • Eligibility based on U-visa approval

Resources

Last verified: 2026-09-24.

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General procedural information based on official sources. Not personalized legal advice.