U – Victims of Certain Crimes
The U visa category is for those who entered in another non-immigrant visa status but who are prevented from timely departure or who fail to maintain valid visa status because they have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity involving a violation of one or more federal, state or local criminal statutes relating to rape, torture, trafficking, incest, domestic violence and other such crimes.
The victim must provide information helpful to the investigation or prosecution of the crime, and a petition for U visa status must be accompanied by a certification from the law enforcement agency involved. Nearly all grounds of inadmissibility may be waived, and individuals in U visa status may adjust to permanent residence after three years. A maximum stay of 4 years in U status is allowed. U visas are limited to 10,000 per fiscal year.
If you are in need of a New York U visa lawyer, feel free to contact Karin Wolman today!