{"id":352908,"date":"2019-12-09T13:46:16","date_gmt":"2019-12-09T18:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/visas\/u-visas.html"},"modified":"2026-05-03T16:02:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T21:02:00","slug":"u-visas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/visas\/u-visas.html","title":{"rendered":"How U Visas Protect Victims of Crime in the U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How U Visas Protect Victims of Crime 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 U visa<\/span> protects noncitizen victims of serious crimes by allowing them to stay in the U.S. while helping law enforcement<\/span> investigate or prosecute the offense. It provides temporary legal status, 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 residence.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

To qualify for a U visa<\/span>, applicants must show they were victims of a qualifying crime<\/span>, suffered physical or mental harm, and are helpful\u2014or likely to be helpful\u2014to authorities.<\/p>\n

This article provides an overview of the U visa<\/span> process. Learn about eligibility<\/span> criteria, application procedures, and more. Pursuing a U visa<\/span> can be a complex and emotional process. An immigration attorney<\/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 a U Visa<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

The U nonimmigrant visa<\/span> serves as a beacon of hope to victims of qualifying criminal activities<\/span>. Established by the U.S. Congress in 2000 under the\u00a0Victims of Trafficking<\/span> and Violence Protection Act<\/span><\/a>, this visa category gives critical support to noncitizens suffering physical or mental abuse<\/span>.<\/p>\n

U nonimmigrant status<\/span> is for non-U.S. citizens who have been victims of serious crimes in the United States. This federal law aims to boost the ability of law enforcement<\/span> officials<\/span> to investigate and prosecute cases of:<\/p>\n