{"id":352903,"date":"2019-11-25T09:52:50","date_gmt":"2019-11-25T14:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/visas\/t-visas.html"},"modified":"2026-05-03T21:39:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T02:39:00","slug":"t-visas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/visas\/t-visas.html","title":{"rendered":"T Visas for Trafficking Victims in the U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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T Visas for Trafficking Victims in the U.S.<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A T visa<\/span> protects noncitizen victims of human trafficking<\/span> by allowing them to remain in the United States while assisting law enforcement<\/span> with investigating or prosecuting the traffickers. It provides temporary legal status<\/span>, work authorization<\/span>, and the ability to petition certain family members<\/span>, with a path to a green card<\/span> after three years of continuous presence<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Like a U visa<\/span>, a T visa<\/span> offers temporary legal status<\/span> and work authorization<\/span> to victims who assist law enforcement<\/span>. But it differs from a U visa<\/span><\/a> in that it is reserved specifically for victims of severe human trafficking. It also requires applicants to show they are in the U.S. because of the trafficking and would face extreme hardship<\/span> if removed.<\/p>\n

This visa allows those who endured trafficking the chance to work and rebuild their lives in the United States, after meeting certain requirements. Family members<\/span> of the victim of trafficking may also benefit from a derivative nonimmigrant visa<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the T nonimmigrant visa<\/span>. Learn about human trafficking, who qualifies for a T visa<\/span>, the application process<\/span>, and more. Pursuing a T visa<\/span> can be overwhelming and emotional. An immigration attorney<\/span><\/a> near you can assess whether your situation meets U visa<\/span> requirements and advocate for your rights throughout each step.<\/p>\n

What Is Human Trafficking?<\/h2>\n

If you or your loved ones are or were victims of human trafficking<\/span>, you are not alone. Different human services in the United States address this criminal activity<\/span>, providing you safety and security. Among them is the immigration benefit that the\u00a0U.S. Department of Homeland Security<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(DHS<\/span>) provides through the T nonimmigrant visa<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Human trafficking<\/a>\u00a0or trafficking in persons<\/span> is a criminal activity<\/span> where traffickers lure a person with false promises of a better life and employment. It happens when the trafficker uses fraud, coercion, or force to compel the victim into a commercial sex act<\/span> or forced labor.<\/p>\n

The federal law<\/span> defines a “severe form of trafficking” as either sex trafficking<\/span> or labor trafficking<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Sex Trafficking<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sex trafficking<\/span> happens when the person gets harbored, recruited, transported, provided, or solicited to commit commercial sex acts<\/span>. It is sex trafficking<\/span> if the trafficker uses fraud, force, or coercion to compel the victim to perform commercial sex acts<\/span>. It is also sex trafficking<\/span> if the victim who suffered from these criminal activities<\/span> is under 18.<\/p>\n

Labor Trafficking<\/span><\/h3>\n

Labor trafficking<\/span> happens when a trafficker does the following to a person for labor or work:<\/p>\n