U Visa Attorneys In Kansas City, Missouri

What is a U Visa?

The “U status,” more commonly known as the “U visa,” is a form of immigration relief for victims of certain crimes. People who receive U visas can apply for permanent residency. Family members of U visa applicants can also benefit from this status.

There is no requirement that the police arrest the person who committed the crime, or that the case be prosecuted. Instead, the U visa was designed to encourage victims to report crimes to law enforcement and to cooperate in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

Call Martinez Immigration Law LLC at 816-491-8105 to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today.

Case Types

Eligibility for a U Visa

Qualifying Criminal Activity: To qualify for a U visa, the applicant must be the victim of a certain crime, called a “qualifying crime.” Qualifying crimes include sexual assault, felonious assault, domestic violence, and others. A full list is available on USCIS's website. The crime must have occurred inside the United States, or violated U.S. laws.
Physical or Mental Abuse: The crime must have caused the applicant substantial physical or mental harm. In some situations, family members of victims can qualify for a U visa if the direct victim has died, is incapacitated, or is under 18 years old. In these cases, the family member is considered the indirect victim of the crime.
Providing Information and Cooperation with Law Enforcement: Applicants must have information about the crime and be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Reporting the crime to the police can meet this requirement. However, the applicant must remain helpful for the entire investigation.
Admissibility: Applicants must be admissible to the United States, or eligible for a waiver. Most grounds of inadmissibility can be waived when applying for a U visa. An experienced attorney can assist in interpreting this requirement and analyzing whether an applicant can qualify for a waiver.

The Application Process

Law Enforcement Certification: Before submitting a U visa application to USCIS, a law enforcement agency must sign form I-918 Supplement B. Signing this form means the agency agrees that the applicant was the victim of a crime, has information about the crime, and has been helpful or will be helpful in the investigation or prosecution.
Filing the Petition: Applicants must file form I-918 and the I-918 Supplement B with USCIS. The U visa application must be filed with USCIS within 6 months of the law enforcement agency’s certification.
Deferred Action: USCIS can only grant a limited number of U visas each year. Some applicants may wait 15 or more years for a U visa. Because of this, USCIS will do an initial review of the U visa application. After this review, USCIS may grant deferred action while the applicant waits for a final decision on their petition. With deferred action, an applicant can apply for work authorization while waiting for a final decision.
Permanent Residency: Eligible applicants will receive U nonimmigrant status in the U.S. for 4 years. U visa holders may become eligible to apply for permanent residency after 3 years if they stay in the U.S., remain helpful to law enforcement, and meet other requirements.

The U visa offers critical protection for victims of crimes in the U.S. However, the process can involve detailed legal requirements and documentation. Our attorneys are experienced in navigating these complexities to ensure that the case is presented effectively. Contact Martinez Immigration Law LLC today for a consultation.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.