United States•North AmericaT-3 — Child of T-1 Trafficking Victim
At a Glance
2.5–3.5 years
USD $185
4 years
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Living in United States
Overview
Unmarried child (under 21) of a principal T-1 trafficking victim.
The T-3 is a US derivative nonimmigrant status for unmarried children under 21 of T-1 trafficking victims. The child must be unmarried at time of filing, adjudication, and admission. USCIS charges no filing fee; a $185 MRV fee applies only if the child is abroad and requires a consular visa.
Status lasts up to 4 years, co-terminous with the T-1 principal; extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances or while an I-485 adjustment is pending. Work authorization is available via Form I-765 (EAD required, not automatic). The T nonimmigrant program has no annual cap on derivatives.
This visa is ideal for children of trafficking survivors who need to join or remain with their T-1 parent in the US while the family pursues lawful permanent residence.
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Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 4 years |
Annual Cap & Quota
No cap on T-3 derivative status; T-1 principal capped at 5,000/year (cap never reached in practice)
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Parent must hold or be applying for T-1 (trafficking victim) nonimmigrant status
Must be an unmarried child under age 21 of the T-1 principal
If T-1 principal was 21 or older at time of filing, only children (T-3) qualify as derivative family members
Must be admissible to the US or obtain an inadmissibility waiver (Form I-192)
Background checks conducted by USCIS
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Form I-914 Supplement A (completed and filed by T-1 principal)
Birth certificate proving parent-child relationship
If relationship not evident from birth certificate: marriage certificate of parents, adoption decree, or other proof
Valid passport (if applying at US consulate abroad)
Form DS-160 confirmation page (if applying at consulate)
Form I-797 USCIS approval notice (for consular applications)
Form I-192 with supporting documentation (if inadmissibility waiver needed)
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- No USCIS filing fee for Supplement A
- Derivative T-3 beneficiaries do not count against the 5,000/year T-1 principal cap
- Work authorization available via EAD (Form I-765) once status is granted
- Post-August 2024 bona fide determination process allows early EAD access before final approval
- Direct statutory green card pathway after 3 years of continuous physical presence
- Broad inadmissibility waivers available, including for trafficking-related offenses
- Duration co-terminous with T-1 principal (up to 4 years)
Worth Knowing
- Processing times are lengthy: currently 17–37 months at Vermont Service Center
- Child must remain unmarried and under age 21 throughout the application process
- Work authorization is not automatic — must file separate Form I-765 to obtain EAD
- Extensions beyond 4 years granted only in exceptional circumstances or while I-485 is pending
- Green card continuous presence requirement: no single absence over 90 days, no combined absences over 180 days
- If inadmissibility grounds exist, Form I-192 fee is $930 (may be waived by USCIS for trafficking victims)
- Child applying from abroad must pay $185 consular MRV fee
Application Process
T-1 principal files Form I-914 with USCIS Vermont Service Center
T-1 principal includes Form I-914 Supplement A for each qualifying child (can be filed concurrently or while I-914 is pending)
USCIS conducts background checks and issues bona fide determination; deferred action may be granted while awaiting final decision
If child is abroad
after I-797 approval, apply for T-3 visa at US embassy/consulate using Form DS-160 and pay $185 MRV fee
If child is in the US
T-3 status granted directly by USCIS; file Form I-765 for Employment Authorization Document
After 3 years of continuous physical presence, file Form I-485 to adjust status to lawful permanent resident
Application Forms
Go to application portal| I-914 Application for T Nonimmigrant Status | Fill online |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization | Fill online |
| I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant | Fill online |
| DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | Fill online |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in United States
- Parent of T-1 (if T-1 under 21)
Humanitarian
- Sibling of T-1 (if T-1 under 21)
Humanitarian
- Adult or Minor Child of a Derivative Family Member
Humanitarian
Humanitarian visas in other countries
- National Visa for Medical Treatment
Germany
- S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa
United Kingdom
- Residencia Temporal por Razones Humanitarias
El Salvador
Living in United States
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