Atlanta U-Visa Case Process

The Atlanta U-visa case process and application can be complex, requiring specific qualifications for approval. An experienced U-visa attorney can help crime victims secure legal protection and pursue permanent residency over time.

Applying for a U-visa requires substantial documentation and a waiting period. The benefits of applying, however, can be worth the effort, depending on your circumstances.

An Overview of the U-Visa Application Requirements

The U-visa case process in Atlanta requires completing multiple steps, beginning with Form I-918 from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  The applicant must complete Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, and submit supporting documents to demonstrate their qualifications for the visa.

The applicant must demonstrate that they were a victim of a qualifying crime and have been or are willing to assist law enforcement in prosecuting the crime. Law enforcement can certify this cooperation by completing Supplement B to Form I-918.

The application must include documentation of the applicant’s physical or mental injury from the crime, such as medical or police reports.  Additional evidence may also be helpful, such as witness reports and affidavits from others close to an applicant to verify their information and narrative of what happened.

Once the pieces of an application are brought together, the process for your U-visa case continues by filing with USCIS. From this point, an attorney can be especially helpful in guiding your application to its conclusion.

How an Attorney Can Assist With Your Application

Beyond assisting with constructing a U-Visa application, your immigration attorney can represent you throughout the process. From communicating with law enforcement agencies on your behalf to get the necessary certification and other evidence to fielding correspondence with USCIS, your attorney can be your point of contact during the application process.

USCIS may request additional information, which your attorney can help you gather and present as necessary. If any issues with prior inadmissibility could stand in the way of obtaining your U-visa, such as a criminal conviction or prior immigration violation, your attorney can work with you and USCIS to secure a waiver or otherwise preserve your application.

Your application may be pending for an extended period of time, from several months to years. Your attorney can provide support throughout this process and dialogue with USCIS to keep your application active and add more documentation as needed.

Our Atlanta attorneys can walk you through the U-visa case process and discuss beginning an application if you so choose. With the prospect of obtaining status and certain benefits, such as work authorization and the chance to apply for a green card, our immigration lawyers can work to get you the best outcome from your application.

 Streamline the U-Visa Case Process With an Atlanta Attorney

After being a victim of a crime, you should not have to worry about being forced out of the country by law enforcement. A U-visa can anchor you in the United States, at least temporarily, as you and your family decide what to do next.

An attorney from Solano Law Firm can assist with the Atlanta U-visa case process from start to finish, looking out for your interests in front of USCIS and law enforcement agencies. To learn more about what to expect from the process, contact our offices to schedule an appointment.