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Why hire visapro immigration law firm?
The VisaPro Immigration Law Firm lawyers excel in all areas of immigration and nationality law. VisaPro offers more than 100 types of US immigration services to address every one of your specific needs. VisaPro immigration lawyers are highly renowned and respected, drawing on many years of experience in US immigration law.
Who are the best immigration lawyers in the USA?
Let us walk you through Topteny online magazine ‘s top 10 best immigration lawyers in the USA. Christian S. Allen has been a passionate fan of immigrants who are coming into the United States for many years now. He has supported them by offering them various legal supports that have to do with immigration laws.
Can a U visa be used for a crime victim?
Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
Can a family member apply for a U visa?
Certain qualifying family members are eligible for a derivative U visa based on their relationship to you, the principal, filing for the U visa. The principal petitioner must have their petition for a U visa approved before their family members can be eligible for their own derivative U visa.
Is it hard to get U visa?
You are not required to be in the U.S. to qualify for a U visa although the crime must have taken place within the U.S.1 However, it is very hard to successfully apply for U visa status from outside of the country, mainly because you will need the help of an attorney who knows U visas and most of those attorneys are in ...
Who is a certifying officer for U visa?
The U visa regulation defines a certifying official as: “[t]he head of the certifying agency, or any person(s) in a supervisory role who has been specifically designated by the head of the certifying agency to issue U nonimmigrant status certifications on behalf of that agency.” 8 C.F.R.
How long does it take for a visa U to be approved?
It currently takes up to around six years for USCIS to fully process U visa applications, which includes the agency taking biometrics (photographs and fingerprints), processing all forms and supporting information (such as the Certification of Helpfulness by a qualifying agency), and finally, issuing an approval notice ...
How much does it cost to get a visa U?
How much does it cost to obtain a U visa? There is no fee to apply for a U visa. There is a filing fee of $230 in order to apply for a derivative visa for a family member (Form I-929).
What if U visa is denied?
If USCIS denies your request for a U visa, then your status is still the same as it was before you applied. This means that if you are in the country without legal documentation, you are at risk for being detained and deported.
What is the new law for U visa?
DHS will grant a U Visa if the applicant demonstrates they suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of certain criminal activity; possesses information concerning that criminal activity; has been helpful, is being helpful, or is likely to be helpful in the investigation or ...
Is there any interview for U visa?
If your petition is approved, you must undergo consular processing in order to enter the United States on a U visa, which will include an interview with a consular officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate who will determine whether you qualify for the U visa.
What percentage of U visas are approved?
U Visa Success Rate The U visa approval rate is 87 percent for principal petitioners, according the USICS.
What next after U visa is approved?
After being approved by USCIS, you will receive U "status," which authorizes you to remain in the U.S.—but you will not receive an actual U "visa." A visa is a document in your passport that enables you to enter the United States. Technically, you can obtain a visa only from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
What documents are needed for U visa?
U Visa Document Checklist. I. FORMS AND DECLARATION.II. EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY.III. EVIDENCE OF SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL OR. MENTAL ABUSE.IV. COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Why is U visa taking so long?
One reason it takes so long is that Congress limited the number of U visas the government can give out to 10,000 per year,1 but far more than 10,000 people apply for U visas each year, so the line of applications waiting to get reviewed gets longer and longer every year.
How much bank balance is required for US visa?
The amount of bank balance you should have for applying to the US tourist visa depends on the duration. If it is a 15-day trip, you must have $ 5,000-10,000 in your bank. Is travel insurance compulsory for the US travel visa? No, travel insurance is not compulsory for the US travel visa.
How do I get U visa certified?
In order for an immigrant survivor of crime to qualify for U nonimmigrant status (often referred to simply as a “U visa”), she must obtain certification of her helpfulness by having a law enforcement agency complete Form I-918 Supplement B, “U Nonimmigrant Status Certification.” 2 This law enforcement certification is ...
Can a witness apply for U visa?
In some cases, witnessing a crime or being related to a crime victim can qualify someone for U immigration status. Noncitizens who have themselves been the targeted victims of crimes are not the only ones who can apply for U nonimmigrant status (a U visa) in order to remain in the U.S. lawfully.
What documents are needed for U visa?
U Visa Document Checklist. I. FORMS AND DECLARATION.II. EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY.III. EVIDENCE OF SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL OR. MENTAL ABUSE.IV. COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
How long is the U visa backlog?
approximately five yearsUSCIS caps the number of U visas each year at 10,000, even though tens of thousands of applicants apply every year. Once the cap is reached, the remaining applicants are placed on a waiting list. This creates a backlog that stretches back approximately five years.
How to apply for a U visa?
In order to be eligible for a U visa, a victim must prove the following: 1 They were a victim of a qualifying criminal activity 2 They suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of the crime 3 They possess credible and reliable information about the qualifying criminal activity 4 They are, have been, or are likely to be helpful in the investigation and/or prosecution of that qualifying criminal activity, and have received a “Law Enforcement Certification” to prove this helpfulness 5 The crime they were a victim of violated a U.S. law
Why is it important to have a U visa?
For this reason, one of the most important requirements of the U visa is that the victim must have been fully cooperative in the investigation or prosecution of a crime.
Why do people get a U visa?
Congress’ intent in creating the U visa was two-pronged. First, they wanted to provide an incentive for crime victims to call the police when they were victimized, and to assist as witnesses in the investigation and/or prosecution of the crimes. In the past, though many victims wanted to report the crimes, ...
How long is a US visa valid?
The U visa gives the applicant lawful immigration status in the U.S., and the ability to work and to apply for a Social Security number. It is only valid for 4 years, but after 3 years the applicant becomes eligible to apply for Legal Permanent Residency, or a “green card.”
What are the benefits of a U visa?
There are many benefits that come with obtaining a U Visa. At the time the petition is approved, you will be authorized for employment , and USCIS will send you an Employment Authorization Document as evidence. Derivative family members of the victim also receive employment authorization, but will have to apply for the Document for a fee. The most important benefit is that the U Visa may independently file for a green card through adjustment of status after being physically present in the US for 3 years since the U visa was granted.
What is a U visa petition?
A U visa petition requires submission of reasonably substantial documentation and to establish specific legal elements with particularity. It is often necessary to coordinate efforts with law enforcement and mental health professionals to obtain documentation which will effectively meet the relevant legal elements. Preparation of an effective U visa petition generally requires the assistance of a considerate advocate with experience working with victims of trauma. A past record of success in U visa petitions is invaluable.
What is a victim visa?
U Visa Immigration Lawyers | Criminal Victim Visa 1 A U visa allows victims of certain qualifying criminal activity to reside and work in the United States lawfully. This classification was created in the interest of assisting law enforcement and for humanitarian purposes. The Eligibility is met when 2 i) the person was a victim, 3 ii) of qualifying criminal activity in the United States, 4 iii) who suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of the criminal activity, 5 iv) and possesses credible and reliable information concerning the criminal activity, 6 v) and has been helpful or is likely to be helpful to law enforcement.
Can a non profit help with a U visa?
There are non-profit organizations which assist victims of crimes to obtain U visas, however, these organizations generally have limited resources and place those who are seeking assistance on wait lists. If such a wait is unacceptable, our law firm can begin to assist you immediately. Please contact us for our fee schedule.
Do you have to be a direct victim to get a visa?
The term “victim” does not have to be the direct victim of the crime. For example, the direct victim was murdered, then the spouse or children under 21 years of age are considered victims that are eligible to apply for a U visa. Also, if the direct victim was a child under 21 years of age, the parents and siblings under the age of 18 are considered victims that are eligible to apply for a U visa.
US Non Immigrant Visas
If you need to travel to the United States for an employment, business or education purposes, you need to obtain a proper visa. All non immigrant visas are issued by U.S. Embassy or consulate located abroad.
Non-Immigrant visa categories
Please remember that it is imperative to consult a competent immigration counsel about your particular matter.
US Immigrant Visas
Permanent residence status may be conferred through issuance of an immigrant visa IV by an American consular post abroad. An immigrant visa applicant must be in one of the following categories and is eligible to receive IV or immigrant visa if:
Our attorneys have decades of experience and will give you personal attention
The VisaPro Immigration Law Firm lawyers excel in all areas of immigration and nationality law. VisaPro offers more than 100 types of US immigration services to address every one of your specific needs. VisaPro immigration lawyers are highly renowned and respected, drawing on many years of experience in US immigration law.
Ancy S. Varghese
Ms. Varghese practices primarily in the area of US immigration law with specialized expertise in securing employment-based Green Cards under EB1 for Aliens of Extraordinary Ability and EB2 National Interest Waiver (NIW). Ms. Varghese is highly successful in securing O1 visas for Aliens of Extraordinary Ability in Business and the Arts.
A.R. Keshmiri
For over 12 years, Mr. Keshmiri has assisted thousands of clients successfully. He has handled a variety of cases, including preparation and filing of family visas, family-based Green Cards and Citizenship and Naturalization applications.
What is a U visa?
The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking ...
When was the U visa created?
Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act) in October 2000. The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, ...
How long is a nonimmigrant visa valid?
When U nonimmigrant status is granted, it is valid for four years. However, extensions are available in certain, limited circumstances if the extension is (PDF, 96.74 KB):
How old do you have to be to get a derivative U visa?
If you, the principal, are... Then... Under 21 years of age. You may petition on behalf of your spouse, children, parents and unmarried siblings under age 18.
What is a nonimmigrant U?
U Nonimmigrant Eligibility. You are the victim of qualifying criminal activity. You have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity. You have information about the criminal activity. If you are under the age of 16 or unable to provide information due to a disability, a parent, guardian, ...
Do you have to take additional steps to get a visa?
Petitioners do not have to take any additional steps to request the U visa. USCIS will notify the petitioner of the approval and the accompanying U visa.
Who can possess information about a crime?
If you are under the age of 16 or unable to provide information due to a disability, a parent, guardian, or next friend may possess the information about the crime on your behalf (see glossary for definition of ‘next friend’).
