United States•North AmericaU-4 — Parent of U-1 (if U-1 under 21)
At a Glance
1.5–10 years
Varies by processing route
Not confirmed
Check the official source4 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
Parent of a U-1 visa holder who was under 21 at time of application.
The U-4 is a US derivative nonimmigrant status for parents of U-1 crime-victim visa holders, available only when the U-1 principal was under 21 at the time of filing. It was created under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to keep families intact while victims cooperate with law enforcement.
Status is granted for up to 4 years with work authorization via Form I-765. All fees are waived — no cost for I-918 Supplement A, I-765, I-485, or I-192. After 3 years of continuous presence in U status, the parent may file I-485 for a green card. No cap applies to derivatives.
This visa is ideal for parents of minor U-1 crime-victim holders who need legal status in the US while supporting their child's recovery and law enforcement cooperation.
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Cost Breakdown
Processing Time
| Bona Fide Determination (interim deferred action + EAD) | 1.5–3 years |
| Full cap approval (U-4 status granted) | 5–10 years |
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 4 years |
Annual Cap & Quota
No cap for derivatives; U-1 principal capped at 10,000 per fiscal year (cap met every year since FY2010)
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
U-1 principal must have been under 21 years old at the time the I-918 petition was filed
Must be biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the U-1 principal applicant
U-1 principal must have an approved or pending bona fide U-1 petition
Must be admissible to the United States, or obtain an I-192 inadmissibility waiver
Cannot have committed certain disqualifying crimes
Parent does not need to be a crime victim themselves
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Completed and signed Form I-918 Supplement A
Evidence of qualifying family relationship (birth certificate, adoption decree, or step-parent legal documentation)
Evidence the U-1 principal was under 21 at time of petition filing
Form I-192 and supporting documentation if parent has inadmissibility grounds
Biometrics (USCIS will schedule appointment)
For overseas parents: additional consular processing documents via US embassy
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Completely fee-exempt — no filing fees for any form including I-485 (green card)
- No annual cap for derivative U-4 petitioners
- Direct green card pathway after 3 years of continuous presence in U status
- Bona Fide Determination grants 4-year deferred action and work authorization while waiting for cap approval
- Unrestricted open-market EAD — no employer sponsorship required
- Most grounds of inadmissibility can be waived via Form I-192
- Dual intent explicitly contemplated by statute — no preconceived intent bar
- Parent does not need to be a crime victim to qualify
Worth Knowing
- Extreme backlog — currently processing petitions filed before April 2017; effective wait is 8–9+ years
- Qualification is strictly tied to the U-1 principal being under 21 at the time the petition was filed
- Status expires after 4 years; extensions are rare and require law enforcement certification or exceptional circumstances
- Work authorization requires separately filing Form I-765 — it is not automatic upon approval
- Status is entirely dependent on the U-1 principal maintaining their status
- Adjustment of status rules for U nonimmigrants fall under INA 245(m), not 245(a) — requires careful filing approach
- If parent is outside the US, consular processing timelines apply and may differ
Application Process
U-1 principal (crime victim) files Form I-918 with Form I-918 Supplement B (law enforcement certification)
Principal petitioner files Form I-918 Supplement A for the qualifying parent (U-4)
File Form I-192 alongside Supplement A if the parent has any admissibility issues
USCIS adjudicates the principal petition; if the annual cap is reached, petition enters the waiting list
USCIS issues a Bona Fide Determination — if approved, parent may receive 4-year deferred action and EAD
When the annual cap opens, USCIS approves petitions in date-of-receipt order; derivative U-4 status approved with U-1
File Form I-765 to receive physical Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
If parent is outside the US, pursue consular processing at a US embassy/consulate
After 3 years of continuous physical presence in U status, file Form I-485 to adjust to lawful 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-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | Fill online |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Fill online |
| I-918 Supplement A Petition for Qualifying Family Member of U-1 Recipient | — |
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Living in United States
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