The U visa is a nonimmigrant visa that is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse.

These victims are allowed to apply for visa if they are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.

Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa by passing the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act) in October 2000.

The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of non-citizens and other crimes, while also protecting victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse due to the crime, as well as helps law enforcement agencies to better serve victims of crimes. 

Qualifying Crimes Include:

• Abduction

• Abusive Sexual Contact

• Blackmail

• Domestic Violence

• Extortion

• False Imprisonment

• Female Genital Mutilation

• Felonious Assault

• Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting

• Hostage

• Incest

• Involuntary Servitude

• Kidnapping

• Manslaughter

• Murder

• Obstruction of Justice

• Peonage

• Perjury

• Prostitution

• Rape

• Sexual Assault

• Sexual Exploitation

• Slave Trade

• Stalking

• Torture

• Trafficking

• Witness Tampering

• Unlawful Criminal Restraint

• Other Related Crimes

If you or someone you know wishes to apply for a U Visa, reach out to an experienced Immigration lawyer to learn more.

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