A Guide to U Visa’s

U visas are known as a type of visa available to victims of crimes who may have suffered mental or physical abuse.  They also assist the police or law enforcement with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. 

The U Visa also provides a person with temporary legal status and allows them to stay in the United States for up to 4 years. 

What are the benefits of a U Visa?

There are many benefits associated with these visas, which include protection from deportation and work authorization. They also provide a clear pathway to either permanent residence or a green card for the victim of crimes, either mental or physical. 

The visa also provides benefits to the families of victims of the U Visa holder, and this includes the spouse and children of the victim who can apply for derivative U Visas, which offer the same protection and benefits as the U Visa holder. 

Plan your travels:

What are the processing times?

A Guide to U Visa’s
Photo by ConvertKit

There are a few factors that need to be considered when estimating processing times. These are listed below for your information. 

  • The volume of Applications received 
  • The complexity of each case
  • Available resources to process each application

Due to these factors, the estimation of visa approval can be anywhere between several months to several years.  Applicants can keep informed and are able to track their application easily through the USCIS processing page for real-time updates on their application once it has been submitted. 

One of the main benefits of applying for a visa in America is that while you wait for your application decision, you will receive an EAD work permit, which will give you the right to live and work in the US for up to three years.  This, like the U Visa processing times, can be lengthy and can sometimes take upwards of the same amount of time. 

It can be a long-drawn-out process whilst waiting for your work permit to be processed, but there are companies out there that can guarantee they can have your application decision with you much quicker.  Some applications have been known to only take about a month to two months to process compared to up to a year in some cases. 

What is Pro Se Pro? 

A Guide to U Visa’s
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM

A company dedicated to reducing the amount of time it takes to receive a decision on an EAD work permit.  The service they provide helps to build a case and submit it to the US government, which legally must be responded to within 60 days, which is seeing much quicker turnaround times and much quicker decisions being made for applicants. 

It is important to note they do not represent you legally, but they do provide you with assistance to file your case and will be there to support you throughout the process until you get a decision. 

 Help is just one click away. 

Essential Travel Planning Resources

Planning your next adventure?

Here are some of our go-to resources that we’ve personally tested over the years.

Find Your Accommodation

Whether you’re looking for hotels or hostels Booking.com is ideal for finding great hotel deals worldwide, with a wide range of options to suit any budget.

Book Your Flights

For unbeatable flight deals, we also recommend Booking.com Flights as they search across airlines and travel sites to ensure you get the best prices. It’s our favorite tool for finding affordable flights, no matter your destination.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must-have! Protect yourself from unexpected events like illness, injury, or cancellations. Here’s what we recommend:

* TrueTraveler (only EU citizens): Perfect for long term travelers looking for comprehensive and affordable coverage.
* SafetyWing (for everyone) Great for digital nomads, long and short term travelers.

Rent a Car for Your Trip

Need the freedom to explore at your own pace? Renting a car is a great way to travel off the beaten path. We recommend Discovercars.com a fantastic comparison website that helps you find the cheapest rates from all the major rental companies worldwide.

Book Your Activities

From guided tours to skip-the-line tickets, use Get Your Guide to plan unforgettable experiences wherever you’re going. It’s one of the best platforms for activities and tours.

Try Housesitting

If you love animals and you prefer going local during your travels, try housesitting, which is an amazing way to travel the world while taking care of the pets whose owners are on vacation. If you use TrustedHousesitters with this link you’ll get $25 discount on annual membership.

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