U-visa for crime victims (Form I-918)

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 — U-visa has no fee. Fee waiver automatic for victims.

Verify current fee

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

• USCIS Fee Calculator — official tool
• USCIS Form G-1055 — full schedule

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: $440 (fee waiver available via I-912)

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

• Spouse, children, parents (if you’re under 21), unmarried siblings (if you’re under 21) — via 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

Fee waiver available

• Asylum applicants, VAWA, U-visa all have fee waiver options via I-912

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
• $1,225 fee
• Eligibility based on U-visa approval

Resources

• USCIS U-visa page: uscis.gov/i-918
• National Crime Victim Law Institute: law.lclark.edu/centers/national_crime_victim_law_institute
• Tahirih Justice Center: tahirih.org
• National Network to End Domestic Violence: nnedv.org

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

← See all paths to legal status

Related procedural information

• Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
• ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
• USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
• Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
• Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections

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