What is a U visa?

If you are in Louisiana and wish to obtain a visa, it is important to understand the details of how they work. Not all visas are the same, and some may be restricted, such as the U visa. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a U visa is a special nonimmigrant status visa you can get if you are a crime victim. However, there are specifics about the types of crimes and requirements you must meet to get one.

For this visa, the crime you were a victim of must have violated U.S. laws. You need to have suffered mental or physical harm as a result that is substantial in nature. You also must be willing to cooperate with law enforcement and be willing to provide information or have information to provide to help in the solving of the crime. The U visa is often reserved for crimes of a sexual nature, human trafficking or domestic violence. However, there is a long list of crimes that can qualify you for this type of visa that do not fall into those categories, such as blackmail, witness tampering and perjury.

Form I-918 is used to file for this visa. To file it, you must have it signed by a qualified law enforcement personnel. It must also be accompanied by evidence to back up your claims and a personal statement detailing the information you have about the crime. Your family members may also be qualified for a U visa simply based on your relationship with them. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.