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T-4 — Parent of T-1 (if T-1 under 21)

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

2.5–3 years

Estimated Cost

USD $185

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

49 months

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$52,000

Quality of Life

185/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Parent of a T-1 visa holder who was under 21 at time of application.

The T-4 is a US derivative nonimmigrant status for parents of T-1 trafficking victims. qualifying parents must be biological, adoptive, or step-parents of a T-1 holder who was under 21 at filing — or face present danger of retaliation from the T-1's escape or cooperation with law enforcement, regardless of the T-1's age.

No USCIS filing fees apply — I-914 Supplement A, biometrics, and Form I-765 (EAD) are all $0. Initial stay mirrors the T-1 up to 4 years, renewable in 1-year increments. Work auth is not automatic; parents must file I-765 after status is granted. A permanent residence pathway exists after 3 years in T status.

This visa is ideal for parents of T-1 trafficking survivors who need to join their child in the US to support recovery and cooperation with federal law enforcement.

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Cost Breakdown

Form I-914, Supplement A (USCIS filing fee)USD $0

BiometricsUSD $0

Form I-765 (Employment Authorization)USD $0

DS-160 MRV fee (consular processing, if abroad)USD $185

TotalUSD $185

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

4.0 years

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be the biological, adoptive, or stepparent of the T-1 principal applicant

T-1 principal must have been under 21 years of age at time of filing (age locked at filing date)

Alternatively qualifying if parent faces present danger of retaliation due to T-1's escape or cooperation with law enforcement (regardless of T-1's age)

Must not be inadmissible on security, criminal, or other grounds (or must obtain a waiver)

Does not need to be a trafficking victim independently

T-1 principal petition must already be filed or approved

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed Form I-914, Supplement A (signed by T-1 petitioner)

Proof of relationship: birth certificate of T-1 showing parent's name (biological); adoption decree (adoptive); marriage certificate to biological parent (stepparent)

Copy of T-1's I-914 receipt or approval notice

Evidence of danger of retaliation (if using retaliation-danger pathway)

Biographic information and passport photos

Valid passport (if abroad, for consular processing)

Form DS-160 confirmation and MRV fee receipt (if applying at US consulate)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No USCIS filing fees at any stage (I-914 Supplement A, biometrics, I-765 all waived)
Work authorization available via I-765 (EAD) at no cost
Path to lawful permanent residence (green card) after 3 years in T status
Age-out protection: T-1's age is locked at initial filing date, preserving T-4 qualification
Derivative extensions can be filed independently of T-1 under 2024 final rule
Access to federal and state benefits and services for trafficking victims
No annual cap — T derivative visas are uncapped
Deferred action and interim work authorization available after T-1 bona fide determination

Worth Knowing

Processing times are very long — currently 2.5 to 3+ years
T-4 is not automatic; the T-1 principal must actively file Supplement A on the parent's behalf
Work authorization is not incident to status — a separate I-765 filing is required
Parent must not be inadmissible; criminal history may trigger bars (waivers available for certain grounds)
If parent is outside the US, consular processing is required after USCIS approval; $185 DS-160 MRV fee applies
T-4 qualification based on the under-21 pathway is contingent on the T-1's age at time of their filing
Status mirrors T-1 — if T-1 status is terminated, T-4 status is also affected
Green card qualification requires T-1 to petition separately on Form I-914A

Application Process

T-1 principal victim files Form I-914, Supplement A on behalf of the parent (T-4 derivative)

USCIS issues bona fide determination (BFD) on the T-1 petition; derivatives in the US may receive deferred action at this stage

USCIS adjudicates I-914 Supplement A and issues I-797 approval notice

If parent is outside the US: apply for T-4 visa stamp at US embassy/consulate using DS-160 with I-797 approval notice

Upon entry or status grant, file Form I-765 (no fee) to obtain Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

After 3 years in T status (or when investigation/prosecution is complete), T-1 may petition for T-4 family member green card on Form I-914A

Application Forms

Go to application portal

I-914 Application for T Nonimmigrant Status (Supplement A filed by T-1 on behalf of family member)	Fill online
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization	Fill online
DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online

Verified Claims (35)

Last verified May 30, 2026

Application Steps

T-1 principal victim files Form I-914, Supplement A on behalf of the parent (T-4 derivative); USCIS …

uscis.gov

Blockers

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Can Convert To

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Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$52,000

Quality of Life

185/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Parent of a T-1 visa holder who was under 21 at time of application.

This visa is ideal for parents of T-1 trafficking survivors who need to join their child in the US to support recovery and cooperation with federal law enforcement.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be the biological, adoptive, or stepparent of the T-1 principal applicant

T-1 principal must have been under 21 years of age at time of filing (age locked at filing date)

Alternatively qualifying if parent faces present danger of retaliation due to T-1's escape or cooperation with law enforcement (regardless of T-1's age)

Must not be inadmissible on security, criminal, or other grounds (or must obtain a waiver)

Does not need to be a trafficking victim independently

T-1 principal petition must already be filed or approved

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed Form I-914, Supplement A (signed by T-1 petitioner)

Proof of relationship: birth certificate of T-1 showing parent's name (biological); adoption decree (adoptive); marriage certificate to biological parent (stepparent)

Copy of T-1's I-914 receipt or approval notice

Evidence of danger of retaliation (if using retaliation-danger pathway)

Biographic information and passport photos

Valid passport (if abroad, for consular processing)

Form DS-160 confirmation and MRV fee receipt (if applying at US consulate)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No USCIS filing fees at any stage (I-914 Supplement A, biometrics, I-765 all waived)
Work authorization available via I-765 (EAD) at no cost
Path to lawful permanent residence (green card) after 3 years in T status
Age-out protection: T-1's age is locked at initial filing date, preserving T-4 qualification
Derivative extensions can be filed independently of T-1 under 2024 final rule
Access to federal and state benefits and services for trafficking victims
No annual cap — T derivative visas are uncapped
Deferred action and interim work authorization available after T-1 bona fide determination

Worth Knowing

Processing times are very long — currently 2.5 to 3+ years
T-4 is not automatic; the T-1 principal must actively file Supplement A on the parent's behalf
Work authorization is not incident to status — a separate I-765 filing is required
Parent must not be inadmissible; criminal history may trigger bars (waivers available for certain grounds)
If parent is outside the US, consular processing is required after USCIS approval; $185 DS-160 MRV fee applies
T-4 qualification based on the under-21 pathway is contingent on the T-1's age at time of their filing
Status mirrors T-1 — if T-1 status is terminated, T-4 status is also affected
Green card qualification requires T-1 to petition separately on Form I-914A

Application Process