U Visa Information

The U visa classification was established under the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 2000.  Subsequently, nonimmigrant victims of certain criminal activity began applying for interim U visa relief, receiving deferred action status until regulations would be issued. These interim regulations were issued on September 17, 2007.

New Classification for Victims of Criminal Activity; Eligibility for "U'' Nonimmigrant Status; Interim Rule: 72 Fed. Reg. 53014 (Sept. 17, 2007)

• These interim regulations for U visa classification were issued in September of 2007, and became effective on October 17, 2007.

New Classification for Victims of Criminal Activity; Eligibility for “U'' Nonimmigrant Status; Correction: 72 Fed. Reg. 54813 (Sep. 27, 2007)

• On September 27, 2008 this correction to the interim regulations was issued regarding filing fees for U visa applications.

Fact Sheet, USCIS Publishes Rule for Nonimmigrant Victims of Criminal Activity (Sept. 5, 2007)

• This USCIS fact sheet explains history, eligibility and application procedures for U visa classification.

“New Classification for Victims of Criminal Activity- Eligibility for ‘U’ Nonimmigrant Status”, Memo, Aytes, Assoc. Dir. Dom. Operations, USCIS, HQ0RPM AD08-12 HQ70/8 (Mar. 27, 2008)

• This memorandum was issued by USCIS to clarify U visa eligibility and procedures.

USCIS Announces Update for Processing Petitions for Nonimmigrant Victims of Criminal Activity (April 10, 2008)

•  USCIS announcement clarifying requirements for those who had previously filed for interim U visa status prior to the issuance of the regulations in September of 2007.