United States•North AmericaU-3 — Child of U-1 Crime Victim
At a Glance
2–8 years
Varies by processing route
USD $185
49 months
Renewable
Renewal
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 U-1 crime victim.
The U-3 is a US derivative nonimmigrant status for unmarried children under 21 of an approved U-1 crime victim principal. It grants temporary legal status and work authorization to minor children, keeping families together while the principal cooperates with law enforcement. All USCIS filing fees are waived.
Status is valid for up to 4 years, renewable, with dual intent permitted. An age-freeze protects children who turn 21 while the principal's I-918 is pending. Derivatives are not subject to the 10,000 annual U-1 cap. After 3 years of continuous US residence in U status, the child may file for a green card.
This visa is ideal for unmarried minor children of U-1 crime victim petitioners who need legal status and work authorization while their parent's case progresses.
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Cost Breakdown
Processing Time
| Bona Fide Determination (interim deferred action) | 2–3 years |
| Final U status adjudication | 6–8 years |
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 4.0 years |
Annual Cap & Quota
Derivatives (U-2 through U-5) are not subject to the 10,000 annual U-1 cap
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Child (unmarried, under 21) of an approved or pending U-1 principal petitioner
Unmarried at time of filing
Age freeze applies if child was under 21 when the principal's I-918 was properly filed
Must be admissible to the US or obtain inadmissibility waiver via Form I-192
Cannot be the perpetrator of the qualifying criminal activity underlying the U-1 petition
Principal U-1 petitioner must have pending or approved status
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Form I-918, Supplement A (completed by U-1 principal parent)
Child's birth certificate listing the petitioning parent
Evidence of acknowledgment or paternal support (if father is petitioner and child born out of wedlock)
Secondary evidence of relationship with written explanation if official documents unavailable
Form I-192 with supporting documentation (if child has any grounds of inadmissibility)
Valid passport (for consular processing)
DS-160 confirmation page (for consular processing)
I-797 approval notice (for consular visa interview)
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- No USCIS filing fees for any U-related forms
- Work authorization is incident to status — no employer sponsorship needed
- Derivatives are NOT counted against the 10,000 annual U-1 cap
- Clear green card pathway after 3 years of continuous US residence
- Age freeze protects children who turn 21 while I-918 is pending
- Deferred action and interim work authorization (EAD category C14) available while on waiting list
- USCIS has sole jurisdiction over inadmissibility waivers — favorable humanitarian standard
Worth Knowing
- Extreme processing delays: final U status may take 7–8 years from initial filing
- Bona Fide Determination streamlined process was suspended in February 2025; cases now processed in date-of-filing order only
- U-3 status cannot be granted before the U-1 principal is approved
- Total stay in U status cannot exceed 4 years in the aggregate
- If principal adjusts to LPR before child is admitted as U-3, child can no longer enter as U-3 (may still adjust via family petition)
- Children who turn 21 after I-918 approval but before I-918A adjudication do not receive age-freeze protection
- Child who was the perpetrator of the qualifying criminal activity is absolutely barred
Application Process
U-1 principal files Form I-918, Supplement A with USCIS on behalf of the child
USCIS adjudicates and issues Form I-797 approval notice
If child is abroad
schedule DS-160 consular interview at a US Embassy and obtain U-3 visa stamp
If child is in the US
employment authorization is incident to status; file Form I-765 for physical EAD card (category A20)
File Form I-539 to extend U-3 status if needed beyond initial grant
After 3 years of continuous US residence in U status, file Form I-485 to adjust status to LPR
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-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | Fill online |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Fill online |
| DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in United States
- Parent of U-1 (if U-1 under 21)
Humanitarian
- Sibling of U-1 (if U-1 under 21)
Humanitarian
- V-92 Asylee Follow-to-Join Visa
Humanitarian
Humanitarian visas in other countries
Living in United States
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