Victims of Criminal Activity (U) Visa for the U.S.

Overview

The people who are the victims of certain criminal activities that happened in the U.S or violated U.S laws are eligible for this nonimmigrant (U) visa. The Victim should have suffered from severe mental or physical torture because of criminal activity and also help law enforcement to investigate and examine the crimes. This visa allows four years’ temporary stay in the U.S.

Qualifications

The applicant must meet up the following criteria to obtain a U visa:

• The candidate must be the Victim of a specific criminal activity.
• The applicant should have suffered from severe mental or physical abuse due to criminal activity.
• The applicant should know illegal activity. The parent, custodian, or next friend of the applicant will provide the information about the crime on behalf of them if they are under the age of 16 or unable to due to disability. 
• The applicant was helpful and is helpful now, or will be useful in the investigation or examination of the crime for law enforcement.
• The criminal activity must be happened in the United States or violated U.S. laws.
• You apply to the United States. If the applicant is not acceptable to the U.S, they should apply for a waiver through a Form I-192 for their early permission to enter as a nonimmigrant. 

Qualifying Criminal Activity: The following qualifying criminal activities are eligible for the U-Visa:

• Abduction       
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Kidnapping     
• Prostitution
• Abusive Sexual Contact          
• Felonious Assault       
• Manslaughter
• Rape
• Blackmail       
• Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting  
• Murder           
• Sexual Assault
• Domestic Violence     
• Hostage          
• Obstruction of Justice
• Sexual Exploitation
• Extortion        
• Incest  
• Peonage         
• Slave Trade
• False Imprisonment   
• Involuntary Servitude 
• Perjury
• Stalking
• Torture           
• Trafficking      
• Witness Tampering    
• Unlawful Criminal Restraint
• Other Related Crimes

How to Apply for P-1 Visa

Filing the petition: File Form I-918 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the first step to start the appeal for a U nonimmigrant visa. The applicant should also submit Form I-918 Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification during the time they submit Form I-918. The authorized official of the certifying law enforcement agency must sign in the Form I-918, Supplement B, U visa Nonimmigrant Status Certification, which confirms that the applicant was helpful and is helpful now, or will be useful to the investigation or examination of the crime for law enforcement in future.

Complete the Form DS-160: Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application is the standard form for nonimmigrant visa claimants. It will have queries on applicant data, background, as well as the determination of visit to the U.S. When the applicant confirms it, they will get an authorization page and code which they need for their document file.

Reimburse the application fee: The applicant must pay the visa application fee due to being able to remain with the rest of the application stages. Also, the visa petition fee, other dues may apply dependent on the affiliation of their country, and the U.S termed visa issuance charges. The total amount is dissimilar from nation to nation. After the applicant has paid the dues, they must save the money receipts and affix it to the documents file.

Book your visa interview: Victim of criminal activity (U) visa claimants among 14 and 79 years old should have an interview with the U.S Embassy. As they may have a high workload, it is wise to book the interview as early as possible. When they book their visa interview, they will get an interview approval letter which they need to carry with them on the day of the interview.

Make ready your document file: You must have your completed document file with you when you appeal for the P-1 visa. To appeal for the nonimmigrant (U) visa permit, there is a file of documents that the claimant is needed to submit. As well the usual compulsory documents for any U.S nonimmigrant visa, the file for a U visa claim must also hold these papers:

• A Valid passport 
• A Photograph that fills up visa requirement 
• DS-160 visa application confirmation page   
• DS-160 form visa application fee payment receipt 
• A letter of the personal statement about the criminal activity of which the applicant was a victim

Appear the interview: The visa interview will be regulated by authorized U.S Embassy officials. The applicant must be present on the schedule and take their documents. The assessor will ask queries about their background and aim for going to the U.S. The applicant must deliver correct information since if the authorized official feels that they are not giving them any particulars, the official will reject their visa request.