“U” Visa for Crime Victims

The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (VTVPA) also made significant amendments to the Violence Against Women Act. In particular the VTVPA provides 10,000 U nonimmigrant visas each year for victims for enumerated crimes that occurred in the United States.
To obtain the U visa, the applicant must demonstrate that he or she:

• Suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of an enumerated crime, including rape, torture, trafficking, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, female genital mutilation, prostitution, or other enumerated crime;
• Possesses information on the crime, and
• Is being or has been helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

The U nonimmigrant may be eligible for adjustment of status after three years of continuous presence when humanitarian grounds, family unity, or public interest justifies continued presence.