U Visa and VAWA Lawyer in New York
A U visa and VAWA lawyer in New York helps victims of crime and abuse apply for protection and a path to a green card. At Zavala Law Firm, PLLC, attorney Eliud Zavala has more than a decade of immigration experience and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. We work in English and Spanish with clients across New York City and New Jersey. Federal law keeps these applications confidential. This path does not fit every situation, so we start with a private review of your history.What Is a U Visa in New York?
A U visa is for victims of certain serious crimes who suffered substantial physical or mental abuse. The victim must also be helpful to police or prosecutors in the investigation. The rules come from 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U). Qualifying crimes include domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, kidnapping, felonious assault and others. The crime must have happened in the United States or broken U.S. law. Certain family members can be included in the application.The U Visa Process, Step by Step
Most cases follow this order.| Step | What happens | Key form |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Certification | A police department, prosecutor, judge or other agency certifies that you helped. | Form I-918, Supplement B |
| 2. Petition | We file your petition, personal statement and evidence of harm. | Form I-918 |
| 3. Waiver | If needed, we ask USCIS to forgive past immigration or other problems. | Form I-192 |
| 4. Review | USCIS reviews the case. Some applicants receive a work permit and deferred action while they wait, under rules USCIS updated in 2026. | Bona fide determination |
| 5. Approval or waitlist | Only 10,000 U visas are issued each year, so many approved cases wait. | Approval notice |
| 6. Green card | After three years in U status, you may apply for permanent residence. | Form I-485 |
U Visa vs. VAWA Self-Petition vs. T Visa
Three forms of protection help victims. Each has different rules:- U visa: for victims of qualifying crimes who help law enforcement. The abuser does not need to be a relative.
- VAWA self-petition: for spouses, children and parents abused by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative. Filed on Form I-360 under 8 U.S.C. § 1154, without the abuser’s help or knowledge.
- T visa: for victims of human trafficking, filed on Form I-914.
- Asylum: for people who fear persecution abroad. See our asylum page.
U Visa Evidence and Confidentiality
A strong case shows the crime, the harm and your cooperation. Helpful evidence includes police reports, court records, medical records, counseling letters and your own detailed statement. Federal law protects the confidentiality of U visa, T visa and VAWA applications. Immigration officers cannot deny your case based only on information from your abuser. The government also may not share your case file with the person who harmed you. If you are in removal proceedings, a pending case may support a request to pause your court case. Our deportation defense team works with you on that.U Visa and VAWA Lawyer Serving New York City and New Jersey
Certifications in New York City often come from the NYPD or a district attorney’s office, such as the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens or Bronx DA. Our Lower Manhattan office is at 325 Broadway. We help clients from all five boroughs and Northern New Jersey. Once a U visa or VAWA case is approved, many clients move on to a green card and, later, citizenship. Related family matters may involve our family immigration services.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a U visa if the police never arrested anyone?
Yes. An arrest or conviction is not required. What matters is that you were a victim of a qualifying crime and helped, or are willing to help, the investigation. The certifying agency still needs to sign Supplement B.
Do I need a U visa lawyer near me in New York to get the police certification?
It helps. Each agency has its own request process, and a complete request is more likely to be signed. We prepare the request and follow up with the agency for you.
Can I file VAWA if I am divorced from my abuser?
Yes, in many cases. You can usually still file within two years of the divorce if the abuse was connected to the marriage. Other timing rules apply, so talk to a lawyer before that window closes.