U Visa Help: Prepare Your U Visa Petition with Claudette

The U visa is for victims of certain crimes who suffered substantial harm and have helped or are willing to help law enforcement. Claudette prepares your Form I-918, statement, and evidence with you.

U-Visa for Victims of Crime

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a crime in the U.S., you may qualify for a U Visa, even if you are undocumented. The U Visa offers legal protection for victims and a path to permanent residency.

What Is a U Visa?

The U Visa is a special immigration benefit for people who:

• Were victims of a serious or violent crime,
• Suffered substantial physical or emotional harm, and
• Helped or are willing to help law enforcement investigate or prosecute the crime.

You don't need to have legal status. You don't need the perpetrator to be convicted. You just need to show that you cooperated and that you were harmed.

U Visa Benefits

• Legal status for 4 years
• Work authorization
• Ability to apply for a green card after 3 years
• Possibility to include certain family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings in some cases)

Do You Qualify?

You may be eligible if:

• A qualifying crime occurred in the U.S.
• You suffered significant mental or physical abuse
• You reported the crime and are helping or willing to help police or prosecutors
• A law enforcement agency is willing to sign a certification form (I-918B)

Did you report a crime to the police after being hurt, threatened, or scared, even without legal status? You may be eligible for a U Visa.

Everything You Need to Know About the U Visa

The U Visa is designed for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.

Eligibility requirements:

• Victim of a qualifying crime
• Suffered substantial physical or mental abuse
• Possess information about the crime
• Have been or will be helpful to law enforcement

Qualifying crimes include:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual assault
• Kidnapping
• Trafficking
• Felonious assault

Benefits of a U Visa:

• Temporary legal status and work authorization for 4 years
• Eligibility to apply for a green card after 3 years
• Derivative U Visas available for certain family members

Certification requirement: Applicants must obtain a signed law enforcement certification (Form I-918B).

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a U Visa

It is possible to apply for a U Visa without an attorney. Here are the general steps.

1. Determine if you qualify. Make sure you meet the requirements:

• You were the victim of a qualifying crime (e.g., domestic violence, assault, trafficking)
• You suffered significant physical or emotional harm
• You cooperated with law enforcement
• You can obtain a signed law enforcement certification (Form I-918B)

2. Request the law enforcement certification (Form I-918, Supplement B). Contact the police department, prosecutor, or other agency that investigated the crime. Politely request they sign the I-918B. This is required to submit your case.

3. Prepare and file Form I-918. Complete Form I-918 (Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status) and include:

• A personal statement describing the crime and how it affected you
• Police reports, court records, medical or therapy records (if available)
• Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate)
• Signed Supplement B certification (Form I-918B)
• Optional: I-765 (for a work permit after approval)

4. Mail your application to USCIS. Send the full package to the correct USCIS address based on current filing instructions (double check at uscis.gov).

5. Wait for a decision or waitlist placement. If approved, you may be granted deferred action and receive a work permit while you wait for a visa number. After 3 years in U Visa status, you can apply for a green card.

Important Warning

While you are legally allowed to apply without an attorney, U Visas are highly complex and sensitive. Many applicants are denied because:

• They cannot get the law enforcement certification
• Their personal statement is unclear or incomplete
• They submit the wrong documents or forms
• Or they unintentionally incriminate themselves (especially if they were present during the crime or undocumented)

How Claudette helps with this

Claudette starts by talking with you about the crime, what you reported, and how it affected you, and drafts your personal statement from your own words so it is clear and complete. She builds your document plan, including how to request the I-918B certification from the agency that handled your case, and helps you gather police reports, court, medical, and therapy records, and proof of identity. She prepares your Form I-918 (and I-765 when it applies), audits the package for wrong or missing documents, and assembles it for filing. You can add licensed-attorney review of your packet before you file, which is especially useful where you were present during the crime or have no status.