United States•North America

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U-1 — Crime Victim

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

At a Glance

Processing Time

2.7–6.7 years

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

USD $185

Stay Duration

4 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

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

Victims of qualifying criminal activity who cooperate with law enforcement. Annual cap of 10,000.

The U-1 is a US humanitarian visa for crime victims who suffered substantial abuse and cooperate with law enforcement to investigate a qualifying crime.

Holders get 4 years of work-authorized status and can apply for a green card after 3 years. USCIS fees are waived; cap is 10,000 principal visas per year.

This visa is ideal for immigrant crime victims in the US who suffered qualifying abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement in investigation or prosecution.

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Cost Breakdown

Form I-918 filing feeUSD $0

Form I-918 Supplement A (family members)USD $0

Form I-192 (inadmissibility waiver)USD $0

Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document)USD $0

Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)USD $0

DS-160 MRV fee (consular processing outside US only)USD $185

TotalUSD $185

Processing Time

Track 1	3.3–3.6 years
Track 2	2.7–3.1 years
Track 3	6.0–6.7 years

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

4 years

Annual Cap & Quota

10,000 principal U visas per fiscal year (derivatives do not count toward cap)

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

EB-4 — Employment Fourth Preference - Special Immigrant

United States

EB-4 — Employment Fourth Preference - Special Immigrant

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1–3 years

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a victim of a qualifying criminal activity that violated US law or occurred in the US/its territories

Suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of the criminal activity

Possesses credible and reliable information about the criminal activity

Has been, is, or is likely to be helpful to law enforcement in detection, investigation, prosecution, conviction, or sentencing

Must be admissible to the US or obtain a waiver (Form I-192)

Law enforcement certification (Form I-918 Supplement B) from a qualifying certifying agency required

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Form I-918 (Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status)

Form I-918 Supplement B signed by authorized law enforcement certifying official

Personal declaration describing the crime, harm suffered, and cooperation with law enforcement

Police reports, court records, trial transcripts, or orders of protection

Medical or psychological records evidencing substantial abuse

Identity documents: passport, birth certificate

Certified translations of any foreign-language documents

Form I-192 with supporting rehabilitation evidence (if inadmissibility grounds apply)

Form I-918 Supplement A for each qualifying family member being petitioned

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

All USCIS filing fees are fully waived (I-918, I-192, I-765, I-485 all $0)
Bona Fide Determination (BFD) grants deferred action and a 4-year work-authorized EAD while waiting for final status
Direct pathway to permanent residence (green card) after 3 years of continuous physical presence
No annual cap on U-based green card adjustments
Family members (spouse, children, and depending on age: parents and siblings) can be included as derivatives
Broad waiver authority for inadmissibility grounds (Form I-192) — including prior immigration violations
Work authorized incident to status after U-1 approval; EAD available during BFD waiting period

Worth Knowing

Annual statutory cap of 10,000 principal U visas per fiscal year — cap has been exhausted every year for over a decade
Total wait time from filing to final U-1 status approval is typically 6–10+ years
Bona Fide Determination streamlined process was suspended February 2025; standard BFD processing continues
ICE enforcement policy changes in 2025 increased risk for applicants with pending petitions
Must not unreasonably refuse to assist law enforcement from date of U-1 admission through adjustment of status decision
Extensions beyond 4 years are limited to specific circumstances (exceptional circumstances, law enforcement need, pending I-485)
Consular processing requires $185 MRV fee and possible reciprocity fee depending on nationality
Criminal convictions require Form I-192 waiver and significantly stronger documentation of rehabilitation

Application Process

Obtain signed Form I-918 Supplement B (law enforcement certification) from a qualifying certifying agency

Complete Form I-918 (principal petition) and Supplement A for qualifying family members if applicable

File Form I-192 (inadmissibility waiver) if any inadmissibility grounds apply

Gather supporting evidence

personal statement, police reports, medical records, court documents

Submit complete I-918 package to USCIS (HART Service Center handles BFD review)

Await Bona Fide Determination — if granted, receive deferred action and 4-year EAD

Await final adjudication and U-1 status approval from waiting list

After 3 years in U-1 status with continuous physical presence, file Form I-485 for adjustment to permanent residence

Application Forms

Go to application portal

I-918 Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status	Fill online
I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant	Fill online
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization	Fill online
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status	Fill online
DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
I-918A Petition for Qualifying Family Member of U-1 Recipient	Fill online
I-918B U Nonimmigrant Status Certification	Fill online