U Visa
Crime victims in the U.S. have the right to protection. The U Visa provides legal security for those who cooperate with law enforcement.
Full legal protection for victims who cooperate with authorities.
Access to the job market with official work authorization and full support.
Obtain your Green Card after three years in the U.S. with the U Visa.
What is the U Visa?
The U Visa is available to victims of certain qualifying crimes that occurred in the United States. It is designed to protect individuals who have suffered abuse and are willing to cooperate with law enforcement investigations.
To be eligible, the victim must demonstrate that they have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse. It is essential to obtain a certification from the authorities confirming effective assistance in the investigation.
In addition to providing protection against deportation, the U Visa grants work authorization and, after three years, allows the applicant to apply for lawful permanent residence. It is a solid pathway to rebuilding a stable life.
Who is the U Visa for?
The U Visa is for victims of specific criminal activities, such as human trafficking. It supports those who have suffered harm and do not have a legal status to remain and work in the United States.
Any victim who possesses useful information about the crime and actively cooperates with law enforcement or prosecutors may obtain a U Visa. Assistance in the investigation is the central requirement for visa approval.
The visa allows for the inclusion of immediate family members, such as spouses and unmarried children. The U Visa is a comprehensive solution to ensure that the entire family can live safely in the United States.
Eligibility Criteria for the U Visa
Being a victim of a qualifying crime
You must have been a victim of a qualifying criminal activity that occurred in the United States, such as sexual exploitation or human trafficking.
Suffering substantial abuse
It is necessary to demonstrate that the crime caused severe physical or mental abuse, affecting your personal integrity and well-being.
Assisting in the investigation
You must possess useful information and actively cooperate with law enforcement or other authorities in the investigation of the crime.
Certification of cooperation
It is mandatory to obtain a certification from a U.S. government agency confirming that you are or will be helpful to the case.
Protection for crime victims with the legal support you deserve. Start your U Visa process with full confidentiality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of visa is the U Visa?
The U Visa is a humanitarian protection created to support victims of certain qualifying crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse. It allows the individual to live and work lawfully in the U.S. while assisting authorities in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
How do I obtain the U Visa?
The first step is to obtain a certification (Form I-918B), signed by an official from a qualifying law enforcement agency, confirming your assistance in the case. With this document, a petition is filed with USCIS demonstrating that you were a victim of a qualifying crime and, as a result, suffered substantial abuse.
How does the U Visa work?
The U Visa works as a two-way street: the U.S. government provides legal protection and work authorization; in return, you provide useful information to law enforcement. After three years with an approved visa, it is possible to apply for Adjustment of Status to obtain a Green Card, that is, permanent residence.
What makes someone eligible for the U Visa?
To file for the U Visa it is necessary to have been a victim of certain qualifying crimes that occurred in the United States, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, kidnapping, or extortion.
The law also protects victims of attempts, conspiracies, or solicitation to commit such offenses. The applicant must demonstrate the physical or mental abuse suffered and show willingness to cooperate with law enforcement or prosecutorial authorities in the investigation of the case.
Is it possible to leave the country with the U Visa?
It is not recommended to leave the United States while the case is pending, as doing so may be interpreted as abandonment. After approval, travel should only occur with a prior Advance Parole authorization. Departing without the proper document may prevent your return and result in the cancellation of your immigration benefits.
How long does the U Visa process take?
The U Visa has an annual cap of 10,000 grants for principal petitioners. When this cap is reached, approved cases are placed on a waiting list until new visas become available, making the final processing time uncertain.
However, while the final decision is pending, it is possible to request, in certain cases, what is known as Deferred Actione Work Authorization. This allows the applicant to live and work lawfully in the United States with full security.
How much does the U Visa cost?
USCIS does not charge a filing fee for the principal petition (I-918). However, there may be costs associated with applications for a waiver of inadmissibility (I-192) or for a future Adjustment of Status. Additionally, the investment in a specialized immigration law firm to ensure that the technical documentation is accurate and to avoid delays also impacts the overall cost.
Understanding the Steps to Your Green Card
Eligibility Assessment
A precise evaluation of your profile, conducted at no cost to you, as part of our commitment to transparency. We assess whether you meet the rigorous criteria established by U.S. immigration law (USCIS) to apply for a Green Card.
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Meeting with a Specialist
We review every detail of your profile and analyze the specifics of your case to determine the best visa option for you. We answer your questions and manage expectations so you have full clarity and confidence before we begin building your case.
Legal Strategy Development
The legal expertise behind the Green Card process is what determines the strength of a case. We develop a detailed technical narrative focused on transforming your background and qualifications into persuasive arguments for review by the USCIS officer.
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Document Collection
We provide comprehensive support in organizing the evidence that truly carries weight in the U.S. immigration process. We work alongside you to ensure that the documentation presented accurately supports the legal argument developed for your case.
Filing the Application
This is the final stage of preparation. We consolidate the strategy and documentation into a robust dossier and formally file your U.S. immigration application with the relevant authorities, officially beginning your legal journey on American soil.
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Post-Filing Follow-Up
Our commitment is to provide full transparency on the progress of your journey toward the Green Card. We monitor every status update with USCIS and act swiftly on any additional requests, ensuring proactive case management through to the final decision.
Green Card in Hand
The definitive achievement of your U.S. immigration journey. The United States is no longer a dream but your new home. You and your family gain the right to live, work, and thrive in the country, with all the benefits of a global citizen.
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We are truly committed to protecting victims in the United States. We handle every legal detail to ensure your family's safety.
Far more than just immigration processes, we bring life plans to life
Higor Medeiros
Excellent service. A meeting where they patiently explained our options for immigrating to the USA. We were very satisfied and would definitely recommend YOUSA.
Maria Luísa Moreno
Excellent service! They answered all my questions with great patience and dedication. I started my process with YOUSA and recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy attorney.
Maila Fernandes
We had a consultation with Dr. Otávio and he was extremely professional and insightful. We hired YOUSA confident that we are well advised to succeed in our case.
Leandro Alves Duarte
YOUSA is a very honest and serious firm. It has excellent staff who are also very personable. Congratulations on the outstanding work.
Avoid irreversible denials in your U Visa case. Count on experienced attorneys to safeguard your rights and your future in the United States.
Otavio Haverroth Silva
Attorney at law
We believe that connecting skilled immigrants is a transformative force for the development of the United States.
We are committed to your dream of living in the United States. Your U.S. immigration journey is what drives our everyday work.
We are selective about the cases we take
We believe in immigration cases with a legitimate background and a realistic chance of approval. That is our priority.
We operate with transparency
We work to transform the complexity of each case into a smoother and more transparent journey for our clients.
We take care of everything for you
We listen to your story, understand your dream, develop a legal strategy, and support you until you receive your Green Card.
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