U Visa Application (Form I-918)

What Is a U Visa?

The U visa is a nonimmigrant visa available to certain individuals who have been victims of qualifying criminal activity and who have been helpful, are being helpful, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of that activity.

The purpose of the U visa is to provide protection to victims while supporting law enforcement efforts.

The process involves preparing and submitting Form I-918 along with supporting documentation and a required law enforcement certification.

Who May Apply?

Common situations include:

• Individuals who have been victims of certain criminal activity in the United States
• Individuals who have suffered physical or mental harm as a result of the crime
• Individuals who have cooperated or are willing to cooperate with law enforcement

Qualifying criminal activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Domestic violence
• Felonious assault
• Sexual assault
• Kidnapping
• Other qualifying crimes

Each case is unique and eligibility may depend on several factors, including the available documentation and law enforcement involvement.

If you are unsure whether this process applies to your situation, you may wish to review your case with a licensed immigration attorney.

Forms Commonly Included in This Process

Depending on the case, the process may include preparing:

• Form I-918 – Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
• Form I-918 Supplement B – Law Enforcement Certification
• Form I-192 – Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant (if applicable)

Additional forms and supporting documents may be required depending on the case.

How We Help

Our office assists with:

• Preparing Form I-918 based on the information you provide
• Assisting with organizing your personal statement and supporting evidence
• Reviewing your information for completeness and consistency
• Preparing the application packet for submission

Our office assists with the preparation and organization of immigration forms and documents based on the information provided by the client.

Please note that our office does not issue law enforcement certifications and does not control whether a certification will be signed.

Ready to Start Your Process?

This service requires an initial consultation before beginning the preparation process.

During the consultation we will:

• Review your situation
• Provide general information about the immigration process
• Explain how our office may assist you with preparing your case

To schedule your consultation, please visit our Book a Consultation page.

The consultation fee is $5 for a 30-minute session.

Please note that our office is not a law firm, and the consultation is for informational purposes only and does not include legal advice.

USCIS Process

U visa petitions are reviewed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Processing times may be lengthy due to annual limits on the number of visas available. Applicants may receive deferred action and work authorization while waiting, depending on their case.

Important Notice

CNIS Immigration Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation.

Our services are limited to immigration document preparation and administrative assistance based on the information provided by the client.

If you require legal advice, we recommend consulting with a licensed immigration attorney.