U visa holders may wonder if they have a pathway to permanent residency in the United States. U visas protect crime victims who work with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those crimes. The U visa is a temporary solution for vulnerable people, but it does allow holders to receive a green card in particular situations. A skilled immigration attorney in Massachusetts can assist you with applying for permanent residency.
Can U Visa Holders Apply for a Green Card?
U visa holders can apply for a green card. The U visa is a nonimmigrant visa that provides temporary legal status to people who qualify under the USCIS rules. The rules include:
- Being a victim of a qualifying crime.
- The crime resulted in substantial physical or mental abuse.
- Being willing to assist the government in investigating and prosecuting the crime.
Applying for a U visa requires applicants to adjust their status to become lawful permanent residents. Applicants must follow specific eligibility requirements and steps. The requirements include:
- Continuous Physical Presence – U visa holders must continuously be in the US for at least three years before adjusting their status.
- Ongoing Cooperation With Law Enforcement – Anyone seeking to change their status must continue to work with the government to prosecute U visa-eligible crimes.
- Admissibility to the United States – Applicants must be admissible to the United States.
- No Revocation of U Visa – The U visa must still be valid and cannot have been revoked by the federal government.
- Demonstrated Good Moral Character – Applicants must show good moral character during their time in the United States.
Once applicants meet these requirements, they must still undergo a complex process with the United States government. The application process steps include:
- Filing a Form I-485
- Paying the Filing Fee or Request a Fee Waiver
- Providing fingerprints, a photograph, and a signature
- Responding to Requests for Evidence
- Interviewing With USCIS
Benefits of Adjusting Status With a U Visa
Adjusting status from a U visa to a green card offers many benefits. You can become a lawful permanent resident and live and work in the United States indefinitely. The green card also makes you eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after five years and allows you to travel outside the U.S. without jeopardizing your status.
There are challenges to consider when applying for a green card. USCIS can take a long time to process applications, and delays are expected. It may also be necessary to contact a skilled immigration attorney because several issues, including previous criminal convictions or immigration violations, may make you inadmissible. An experienced immigration attorney will ensure the application is complete and include all necessary documents.
Why You Should Work With an Immigration Attorney
A U visa may make you eligible to apply for a green card and secure your stability in the United States. Like all areas of immigration law, applying for lawful permanent residency with a U visa is a complex process requiring a strong advocate. A qualified immigration attorney can increase your chances of successfully changing your legal immigration status and building stability in the United States.Cameron Moore Law understands the challenges and complexities of the U visa process and applying for a green card. We offer legal services specific to your immigration concerns. We want to ensure that our clients are knowledgeable about the immigration process and that their applications have the best chance of success. Please contact us online or call (857) 600-0178 so that we can assist you with your legal concerns.
