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U-2 — Spouse of U-1 Crime Victim
United StatesUnited States•North America
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U-2 — Spouse of 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. Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

5–10 years

Estimated Cost

USD $185

Stay Duration

49 months

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Spouse of a principal U-1 crime victim.

766 chars — 3 paragraphs P1=286 P2=317 P3=159; starts P3 with 'This visa is ideal for'

United States

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Cost Breakdown

I-918 Supplement A petition (USCIS)USD $0
I-192 waiver (if inadmissibility grounds apply)USD $0
I-765 Employment Authorization DocumentUSD $0
optional
DS-160 MRV fee (consular processing abroad only)USD $185
TotalUSD $185

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant4.0 years

Annual Cap & Quota

No cap on derivatives; U-1 principals subject to 10,000/year statutory cap

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Principal U-1 petitioner must have an approved or pending I-918 petition

Must be the legal spouse of the U-1 principal petitioner

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

Qualifying regardless of principal petitioner's age (unlike some other derivative categories)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed Form I-918, Supplement A

Evidence of qualifying relationship (e.g., marriage certificate)

Copy of principal's I-918 petition and any I-797 receipt/approval notices

Form I-192 waiver package (if inadmissible)

Valid passport (6+ months validity for consular processing)

DS-160 confirmation page (if consular processing)

Biometrics

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • No USCIS filing fees for any associated forms
  • Work authorized incident to status (EAD obtainable at no cost)
  • Clear pathway to green card after 3 years of continuous US presence
  • Derivatives are not subject to the 10,000/year U-1 cap
  • Deferred action and EAD available while on waiting list
  • Nearly all criminal inadmissibility grounds are waivable
  • No nonimmigrant intent requirement (dual intent effectively permitted)

Worth Knowing

  • Requires an approved or pending U-1 petition from the principal crime victim
  • Processing is currently very slow due to U-1 cap backlog (multi-year waits common)
  • Bona Fide Determination streamlined process was suspended February 4, 2025; all petitions now process in receipt-date order
  • Extensions beyond 4 years only available in limited circumstances
  • Absolute bars to inadmissibility waiver exist for murder and criminal acts involving torture

Application Process

1

Principal U-1 victim files Form I-918 with USCIS

2

Principal files Form I-918, Supplement A for each qualifying family member including spouse

3

File Form I-192 if any grounds of inadmissibility apply to the derivative

4

Submit biometrics at an Application Support Center

5

If cap is reached, applicant is placed on waiting list and may receive deferred action with EAD qualification

6

Upon approval, file Form I-765 (no fee) to receive physical EAD card

7

If abroad after I-797 approval, file DS-160 and schedule consular interview for visa stamp

Application Forms

I-918
Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
Fill online
I-192
Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant (Inadmissibility Waiver)
Fill online
I-765
Application for Employment Authorization
Fill online
DS-160
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Fill online
I-539
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Fill online

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