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A U-visa is a nonimmigrant visa classification created by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2000. The U-visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. Here is a list of crimes that are protected against under the VAWA:

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• Abduction

• Abusive Sexual Contact

• Blackmail

• Domestic Violence

• Extortion

• False Imprisonment

• Female Genital Mutilation

• Felonious Assault

• Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting

• Hostage

• Incest

• Involuntary Servitude

• Kidnapping

• Manslaughter

• Murder

• Obstruction of Justice

• Peonage

• Perjury

• Prostitution

• Rape

• Sexual Assault

• Sexual Exploitation

• Slave Trade

• Stalking

• Torture

• Trafficking

• Witness Tampering

• Unlawful Criminal Restraint

• Other Related Crimes*†
   

If you have been the victim of one of these crimes, and you are willing to help law enforcement officials in the investigation or prosecution of the crime, you may be eligible for a U-visa. The U-visa allows victims of these crimes to live and work in the United States for up to four years, and may eventually lead to permanent residency.