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August 15, 2022Can men qualify for VAWA self-petitioning?
Even though the law has the word “women” in the title, abused men or people of any gender can file a VAWA self-petition as long as they can show they qualify.1
Immigration
- VAWA for Abuse Victims
- VAWA Self-petitions
- Basic info about VAWA self-petitions
- What is VAWA? What is a VAWA self-petition?
- What do I have to prove to be able to file for a VAWA self-petition?
- Can I get lawful permanent residence through VAWA self-petitioning?
- Can I work legally if I file a VAWA self-petition?
- Can family members be included in my self-petition?
- Can men qualify for VAWA self-petitioning?
- If I don't qualify for a VAWA self-petition, are there other options?
- If my self-petition is approved, what do I get?
- Eligibility for VAWA self-petitions
- Step 1: You must have one of the "qualifying relationships" to the person abusing you.
- What relationships could qualify me for a VAWA self-petition?
- If I am married to an abuser, do I qualify?
- How can I prove that I got married in good faith?
- Does a common law marriage count as being “married to” the abuser?
- If I am married, can I still qualify as an “abused child”?
- If I am the child or step-child of an abuser, do I qualify?
- If I am the parent or step-parent of an abuser, do I qualify?
- Step 2: You must prove that you were abused.
- Step 3: You must show that you have “good moral character.”
- Step 1: You must have one of the "qualifying relationships" to the person abusing you.
- Applying for a VAWA self-petition
- What will I need in order to apply for a VAWA self-petition?
- Can I file for a VAWA self-petition if I am in another country?
- Will I have to testify about the abuse or be interviewed by the government?
- How long will it take for my VAWA self-petition to be decided?
- What happens after my lawyer files my self-petition?
- Am I protected from deportation while my VAWA self-petition is pending?
- If I have been the victim of trafficking, should I apply for VAWA or for a T visa?
- Getting lawful permanent residence through a VAWA self-petition
- Basic info about VAWA self-petitions
- VAWA Battered Spouse or Child Waiver
- Basic information and definitions
- What is a battered spouse or child waiver? How do I know if I am eligible?
- What is "conditional permanent residence"?
- Who is eligible for a battered spouse or child waiver?
- When do I apply for a battered spouse or child waiver?
- If my spouse was already married to someone else when we got married, can I still qualify for a battered spouse waiver?
- How can I prove that I got married in good faith?
- How can I prove that I suffered battery or extreme cruelty?
- Can the government tell the abuser about my battered spouse or child waiver application?
- The process for getting a battered spouse or child waiver
- What documents will I need in order to apply for a battered spouse or child waiver?
- Will I have to testify about my application?
- What happens after my lawyer files my battered spouse or child waiver?
- How long will USCIS take to review my application?
- If the battered spouse or child waiver is approved, what will my immigration status be?
- If the battered spouse or child waiver is approved, how soon can I apply for citizenship?
- Basic information and definitions
- VAWA Cancellation of Removal
- VAWA Self-petitions
- U Visa for Crime Victims
- Basic info and definitions
- What is a U visa? How can it help me?
- What crimes could qualify me for a U visa?
- What are the requirements that I must meet to get a U visa?
- After I apply for a U visa, when will I get a work permit and lawful permanent residence (a green card)?
- When I apply for a U visa, can my family members also get U visas? What about a work permit and lawful permanent residence?
- Aside from filing for my child as a derivative, what other immigration options may be available for my child?
- Preparing to apply for a U visa
- What needs to be included in my U visa application?
- How do I show that I am a “victim of a crime”? What is the difference between a direct and indirect victim?
- How do I show that I suffered “substantial harm”?
- How do I show that I was helpful to law enforcement?
- Which government officials and agencies may be able to provide the law enforcement certification that is required?
- What can I do if law enforcement refuses to sign the certification?
- If my U.S. citizen child is a victim of a crime, can I (the undocumented parent) qualify for a U visa?
- How much does it cost to apply for a U visa?
- Can I apply for a U visa if I am in immigration court for deportation ("removal") proceedings?
- After you apply for a U visa
- What legal status do I have while I am waiting for the government to review my U visa application?
- Can I get deported while I'm waiting for the government to review my U visa application?
- If my U visa application gets approved, when can I get lawful permanent residence (a green card)?
- If my U visa application gets denied, will I be deported?
- Possible barriers to getting a U visa
- What are the grounds of inadmissibility? How can they affect me?
- If I didn't include my family members on my U visa application, can I include them when I apply for lawful permanent residence?
- Can I apply for a U visa from another country? What are the obstacles?
- I think I may be eligible. Should I go to my local USCIS (Immigration) office?
- Can I travel outside of the U.S. if my U visa application is approved?
- U visas and domestic violence
- Can I get a U visa based on domestic violence? Does it matter if the abuser is undocumented or if we are not married?
- If I have been the victim of domestic violence, should I apply for VAWA or for a U visa? What about a T visa?
- I got U visa status based on a crime committed against me by my spouse but now we have gotten back together. Can I apply for a U visa for my spouse?
- If I receive public benefits for myself or for my child, can I still get a U visa?
- Basic info and definitions
- T Visa for Trafficking Victims
- Basic information and definitions
- What is trafficking and how does it relate to T visas?
- Will I be able to work legally with a T visa?
- Will I be deported if my T visa application is denied?
- How does USCIS determine if I am a victim of a "severe form of human trafficking"?
- What about my family? Can they get T-visa status along with mine?
- What does it mean to have “continued presence”? Is it the same as having T visa status?
- Contacting law enforcement
- Eligibility for T visa status
- Proving your case: T visa requirements
- Requirement 1: You are or have been the victim of a "severe form of trafficking"
- Requirement 2: You have cooperated with or are excused from cooperating with reasonable requests from legal authorities.
- Requirement 3: You are in the United States, a U.S. territory, American Samoa, or a port of entry of any of these because of human trafficking.
- Requirement 4: You would suffer "extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm" if removed or forced to leave.
- Applying for a T visa
- After I apply for a T-visa, what are the first documents that I will receive?
- What needs to be included in my T visa application?
- What do I need to know about the personal statement and corroboration included in my application?
- What do I need to know about the law enforcement agency (LEA) endorsement included in my application?
- What do I need to know about the other forms and requirements included in my application?
- How much does it cost to apply for a T visa? Can I get a fee waiver?
- When I apply for a T visa, can I include my family members?
- Do I need a lawyer to apply for a T visa or can I find the forms online?
- Where do I send my T visa application?
- After you have T visa status
- How long does my T visa status last and what happens when it expires?
- I have T visa status. Can I work legally in the U.S.?
- Can I travel outside the U.S. after my T visa status is approved?
- Now that I have T visa status, can I apply for permanent resident status?
- What specific federally-funded benefits are available to me?
- What steps do I need to take to get federal benefits that I am entitled to?
- Additional information and where to get help
- Basic information and definitions
- Asylum
- Basic information
- What is asylum?
- Who qualifies for asylum? Will being a victim of domestic or sexual violence qualify me?
- What does "persecution" mean? How do I prove that the government was unable or unwilling to protect me from persecution?
- Is being a woman enough to prove I am part of a "particular social group?"
- If I plan on coming into the U.S. by crossing the border, how do I ask for asylum?
- The asylum process
- Benefits of getting asylum
- Basic information
- Refugee Status
