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U Visa Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the U visa?

The U visa is designed to provide temporary legal status and protection to victims of qualifying crimes who cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes. It encourages crime victims to come forward without fear of deportation.

Who is eligible for a U visa?

To be eligible for a U visa, you must meet several criteria, including:

Being a victim of a qualifying crime.

Having suffered significant mental or physical abuse as a result of the crime.

Being helpful, or willing to be helpful, in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

Having proper certification from a law enforcement agency.

What are qualifying crimes for a U visa?

Qualifying crimes include but are not limited to:

Domestic violence

Sexual assault

Human trafficking

Stalking

Felonious assault

Abduction

False imprisonment

Blackmail

Extortion

Fraud in foreign labor contracting

How long can I stay in the U.S. on a U visa?

U visa holders are initially granted four years of U.S. status. Extensions may be possible, and after three years of continuous presence in U visa status, you may be eligible to apply for lawful permanent residency (a green card).

Can my family members accompany me on a U visa?

Yes, certain family members, including your spouse, children, and, in some cases, parents and unmarried siblings under 18, may be eligible for U visas as derivative beneficiaries.

How do I apply for a U visa?

The process generally involves:

Filing a U visa petition (Form I-918) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Obtaining a law enforcement certification (Form I-918, Supplement B) to demonstrate your cooperation with law enforcement.

Gathering evidence and supporting documentation of the qualifying crime and your eligibility.

Waiting for USCIS to adjudicate your U visa petition.

If approved, applying for U visa status and work authorization.

Is there a numerical cap on the number of U visas issued each year?

Yes, there is an annual cap of 10,000 U visas per fiscal year. However, certain family members (derivative beneficiaries) do not count against this cap.

Can I apply for permanent residency (a green card) while on a U visa?

Yes, after three years of continuous presence in U visa status and meeting other eligibility requirements, you may apply for lawful permanent residency (a green card) through a U visa adjustment of status application (Form I-485).

Can I travel outside the U.S. while on a U visa?

Yes, U visa holders can travel outside the U.S. with proper authorization and documentation, but you should consult with your immigration attorney or USCIS for guidance on travel and re-entry.
Davidson Law Group, P.C.
Davidson Law Group, P.C.
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Tilak
Tilak
Davidson Law Group has been exceptional in handling my L1-A visa process. Jennifer has been meticulous in gathering the required documents and processing the file. Leyla has thorough knowledge and expertise on immigration laws and can help with any of the concerns. Overall it has been an outstanding experience. Thanks
Ross Gregory
Ross Gregory
Tony Montana
Tony Montana
I recently used the services of Davidson Law Group and I must say, they are truly exceptional! 😊The team, especially Jennifer, was incredibly kind and helpful throughout the process 🌟Their efficiency and online system saved me a lot of time and energy, making everything much more convenient as I didn't need to visit the office often 🙏I'm deeply grateful for all the support and guidance they provided! And I 100% recommend Davidson Law Group to anyone in need of legal services 👍Thank you, Davidson Law Group, for making my experience so positive!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Vishnu Prashanth
Vishnu Prashanth
My deepest gratitude for the outstanding support and guidance I received during the visa extension and stamping process. Davidson Law Group team, and particularly Leyla, went above and beyond to ensure a smooth and successful experience.Navigating visa-related matters can be daunting, but with Leyla's assistance and the overall support from your firm, I felt confident and well-informed throughout. Leyla provided tremendous support at every step, answering my queries promptly and offering valuable insights that significantly eased the process. The meticulous attention to detail and personalized service I received have left a lasting impression.I am truly grateful for the exceptional service provided by the Davidson Law Group. The team's commitment to client satisfaction and expertise in immigration matters have undoubtedly made a significant impact on my journey.Thank you once again for your invaluable assistance. I look forward to recommending your services to others in need of legal guidance.
Harsimran Kaur
Harsimran Kaur
Aadia Mujawar
Aadia Mujawar
Davidson Law group is absolutely the best at what they do! They are able to handle the nuances of every different case with such ease. Leyla, Stephanie and Dana were very prompt, cooperative and patient with all my questions and I would highly recommend them to anyone seeking immigration help!!
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Dana Davidson - Full Bio

Dana T. Davidson holds degrees from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and State University of New York at Stony Brook and has been practicing immigration law since 2003 in New York and nationwide. She represents corporations, individuals, and families in a broad range of immigration matters. Attorney Davidson has offices in New York City and Glen Cove.
 

Education

  • Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, New York, New York
  • Juris Doctor – 1988
  • Honors: Moot Court Board, Member, Judge
  • State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York
  • Bachelor of Arts – 1982
  • Major: Political Science
  • Concentration: Business


Pro-Bono Activities

  • Safe Passage Project, Volunteer Attorney, 2013-Present
  • Educating the Educators, Founder, 2012-Present
  • Momentum Project, Board Member, 1991-1994 Bar Admission
  • New York, Eastern District
  • New York, Southern District
  • Washington, D.C.

Speaking Engagements
 
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Spring Conference 2018, Berlin, Germany, Speaker on “Public Charge” panel
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Fall Conference 2018, Johannesburg, South Africa, Speaker: “Practice Management in the New Age” panel
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Spring Conference 2018, Madrid, Spain, Speaker: “El Traje de Luces: Self-Sponsored Petitions – EB-1A and NIW”  AILA RDC-EMEA Spring Conference 2017, Brussels, Belgium, Speaker: “Continuing Blanket L Challenges”
  • Safe Passage Project, March 2017, Speaker: “Representing Unaccompanied Minors: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and the Effects of President Trump’s Executive Orders on Immigration”
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Fall Conference 2016, Speaker: “It’s Not About Money: I-864”
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Spring Conference 2016, Vienna, Austria, Speaker: “K-Visa: Differences Between K-1 and I-130 Processing”
  • New York Institute of Technology’s Center for Entrepreneurship, January 2016, Entrepreneur/Executive-in-Residence
  • AILA Fall Conference 2015, London, UK, Speaker: Impact of joint sponsors on family-based cases
  • Goldman-Sachs 10,000 Small Business Education Program, October 2014, “What is required to grow a business?”
  • Dowling College, May 2013, Keynote Speaker at the first annual Latino Summit at Dowling College
  • International Taxation Conference, 2010