In the fourth quarter of FY 2020, the median processing time from receipt of a U visa petition until placement on the waiting list was 50.1 months and the processing time from waitlist placement until final adjudication was 10.8 months. Source: USCIS.
How long is the U visa waitlist?
Backlog of U visa applications
Some applicants are waiting five to seven years for the government to process their applications. That’s a long time for individuals who need to work.
How long are U visas taking 2021?
It typically takes about four and a half years for USCIS to fully process U visa applications, which includes the agency taking biometrics (photographs and fingerprints), processing all forms and supporting information (such as the Certification of Helpfulness by a qualifying agency), and finally, issuing an approval …
Why is U visa taking so long?
One reason it takes so long is that Congress limited the number of U visas the government can give out to 10,000 per year,1 but far more than 10,000 people apply for U visas each year, so the line of applications waiting to get reviewed gets longer and longer every year.
How long does it take to get U visa approved?
The government is currently taking about 6-9 months to approve or deny a U application. This time may change depending on the number of applications people send in. Also, it can take longer if the government requests more information partway through the process.
How many U visas are approved each year?
Each year, USCIS may approve up to 10,000 U visa petitions.
What percentage of U visas are approved?
U Visa Success Rate
The U visa approval rate is 87 percent for principal petitioners, according the USICS.
Can U visa be denied?
USCIS may deny a U visa petition for a variety of reasons including if the victim’s criminal history warrants such a decision. Denials may occur in cases where a victim has multiple arrests, convictions, or has a serious or violent criminal arrest record.
What happens after your U visa is approved?
After the U visa is approved at the USCIS Vermont Service Center, the file will be sent to the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) for processing. … The United States consulate in your client’s country of origin is responsible for issuing the U visa travel document.
Does U visa lead to green card?
U.S. immigration law allows noncitizens who have been victims of certain crimes and granted U nonimmigrant status (U visa) to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card). To qualify for a Green Card as a crime victim, you must have U nonimmigrant status and meet certain eligibility requirements.
How can I check my U visa status?
How can I check the status of my pending U Visa case? You can check USCIS processing times for U Visas on the USCIS website: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.
How long does it take to get a green card through U visa?
Applications for an adjustment from U nonimmigrant status to lawful permanent residency are filed with the USCIS Vermont Service Center. The processing time for a green card can vary significantly from case to case, though it generally takes 1 – 2 years.