U Visa Attorneys in Philadelphia

Experience-Backed Support for Crime Victims Seeking U Nonimmigrant Status

The U visa is a federal protection for immigrants who are victims of qualifying crimes, have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse, and are willing to assist law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting the criminal activity. It provides temporary legal status, work authorization, and a pathway to lawful permanent residence after three years. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a crime, our team can assess your eligibility for a U visa and guide you through every stage of the process.

Learn more about your options in a free consultation. Call (215) 568-1500 to schedule yours. 

Who Qualifies for a U Visa?

Federal law sets six core requirements for a U visa:

• Victim of qualifying criminal activity: Covered crimes include domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, kidnapping, felonious assault, obstruction of justice, and related offenses. The statutory list is broad, and an attorney can assess whether a specific crime qualifies.
• Substantial physical or mental abuse: You must have suffered real harm as a result of the criminal activity, not merely witnessed it.
• Possession of information: You must have information about the criminal activity itself.
• Helpfulness to law enforcement: You have been, are being, or are likely to be helpful to a law enforcement agency in investigating or prosecuting the crime.
• U.S. nexus: The criminal activity occurred in the U.S. or violated U.S. laws.
• Admissibility or waiver: You’re admissible to the U.S., or you can apply for a waiver of inadmissibility on Form I-192.

Two points that often surprise applicants: the person who committed the crime doesn’t need to have been arrested for you to qualify, and prior immigration history doesn’t automatically disqualify you. In many cases, U visas are approved despite prior immigration violations. USCIS petitions and related forms through adjustment of status are also fee-exempt, so government filing fees aren’t a barrier.

The law enforcement certification on Form I-918 Supplement B is often the most difficult step. An authorized official directly involved in the investigation or prosecution, such as a police officer, prosecutor, or judge, must sign off. Obtaining that certification frequently requires attorney advocacy, and it’s the point where many unrepresented applicants stall.

Protecting Family Members with Derivative U Visas

A U visa for the principal applicant can extend protection to eligible family members through derivative petitions. Who qualifies depends on the principal petitioner’s age. If you’re 21 or older, your spouse (U-2) and children (U-3) may be eligible. If you’re under 21, the eligible group expands to include your parents (U-4) and unmarried siblings under 18 (U-5). 

Family members can petition at the same time as the principal or after. The principal’s petition must be approved before derivatives receive their own U nonimmigrant status. Our family immigration attorneys can work to make sure every eligible family member is covered and that no one is left out because of a filing timing error. For some female victims of domestic violence or abuse, a VAWA petition may provide an alternative or additional pathway to protection worth discussing at your consultation.

How Long Does a U Visa Take?

The honest answer: years. USCIS issues only 10,000 U-1 visas per year for principal petitioners. Once your petition is filed, it enters a waiting list and is adjudicated in filing-date order: oldest first.

Until recently, petitioners on the waiting list could receive a bona fide determination, which, if granted, opened the door to deferred action and work authorization via Form I-765 while waiting for a visa number. As of February 4, 2025, USCIS suspended the streamlined bona fide determination process. Petitions now receive standard waiting list review, which extends the timeline before interim protections become available.

Once a U visa number is issued, status is initially granted for up to four years. After three years of continuous physical presence in a U non-immigrant status, you may be eligible to apply for a green card under INA 245(m). Adjustment of status rules for U visa holders changed in November 2025, and the correct pathway depends on your specific facts. Consult an attorney before filing to make sure you’re using the right process.

Protection from deportation or removal while a petition is pending is one of the most urgent concerns for applicants. The interim protections that exist within the U visa process address this directly, and our attorneys can explain what applies to your situation, given current USCIS policies.

Start with a Free Consultation

If you or someone you care about has been a victim of criminal activity and may qualify for U visa, the first step is understanding your options. Applying for this visa can be time-consuming and the certification step is challenging, but a well-prepared petition filed through experienced counsel can stand a strong chance of moving forward without errors that add delay in an already backlogged queue.

Henry & Grogan handles U visa cases from initial eligibility review through filing. Free consultations are available, and our rates are designed to keep quality representation accessible. 

Call (215) 568-1500 to speak with one of our Philadelphia U visa attorneys about your case.

Not sure where to start? Your first conversation with us costs nothing.

Free Consultation