United States•North AmericaS-6 — Terrorism Informant
At a Glance
1 month – 10 years
USD $0–$1,960
Varies by filing options
3 years
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Living in United States
Overview
Informant possessing critical reliable information about a terrorist organization, willing to provide to law enforcement.
796 chars — 3 tight paragraphs within hard caps (P1=285, P2=314, P3=193)
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Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 3 years |
Annual Cap & Quota
50 per fiscal year (INA § 214(k)); cap has never been approached
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must possess critical and reliable information concerning a terrorist organization, operation, or enterprise
Must be willing to supply, or have already supplied, such information to federal law enforcement or a federal court
Attorney General and Secretary of State must jointly certify the alien has been or will be placed in danger as a result of providing the information
Must be qualifying to receive a cash reward under 22 U.S.C. § 2708 (State Department 'Heroes Rewards' anti-terrorism program)
Only a federal law enforcement agency or federal court may petition on the alien's behalf — no self-petition
Must comply with quarterly reporting requirements to the Attorney General on activities and whereabouts
Must waive the right to contest removal orders (except withholding of removal applications)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Form I-854A completed by sponsoring federal law enforcement agency
Evidence of qualifying terrorism-related information or cooperation
Documentation of qualification for State Department Heroes Rewards program (22 U.S.C. § 2708)
Evidence of danger faced as a result of cooperation
Supporting federal agency endorsement and case documentation
Form I-693 (medical examination, required at adjustment of status stage)
Identity and passport documents
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Provides legal US status and protection for high-value terrorism informants facing personal danger
- Includes work authorization via EAD (category C21)
- Explicit pathway to lawful permanent residence under INA § 245(j)
- Derivative S-7 visas available for spouse, children, and parents with same LPR pathway
- Made permanent by Congress in 2001 — not subject to expiration
- Annual cap of 50 is effectively never approached, so quota is not a practical barrier
Worth Knowing
- Extremely rare in practice — only 5 ever issued (all FY1995), zero since 1996
- Alien cannot self-petition; entirely dependent on a federal agency or federal court to initiate
- Requires dual approval from both Attorney General and Secretary of State — unique dual-agency hurdle
- Must qualify for State Department Heroes Rewards program as a prerequisite
- Non-renewable; maximum 3-year stay with no extension option
- Quarterly reporting to Attorney General on activities and whereabouts required
- Conviction for any crime punishable by 1+ year imprisonment results in automatic loss of status
- Must waive right to contest removal orders
- No standard processing timeline; cases can take years due to interagency bureaucracy
- S-5 (criminal informant) category allows state/local agency petitions; S-6 is federal-only
Application Process
Federal law enforcement agency (e.g., FBI, DEA) or federal court identifies alien with qualifying terrorism information
Sponsoring agency files Form I-854A with DOJ Criminal Division, Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO)
DOJ Criminal Division reviews and certifies the petition (mandatory prerequisite — USCIS will not process without it)
Both the Attorney General and Secretary of State review and jointly approve the S-6 classification
USCIS grants S-6 nonimmigrant status; if alien is abroad, State Department issues visa through consulate
Alien may separately file Form I-765 for Employment Authorization Document (EAD), category C21
For permanent residence
sponsoring agency files Form I-854B; alien subsequently files Form I-485
Application Forms
| I-854A Inter-Agency Alien Witness and Informant Record (S Classification Request) | Fill online |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization | Fill online |
| I-854B Inter-Agency Alien Witness and Informant Record (Adjustment of Status Request) | Fill online |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Fill online |
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Living in United States
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