The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced last week that it has granted 10,000 applications for U non-immigrant status, commonly known as the “U visa” for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010.
U visas are granted to foreign nationals who are victims of violent crimes. The visa is valid for up to a four (4) year period, the individual would be eligible for permanent residence after three (3) years on U visa status and, the visa provides protection from deportation. The visa also allows the victims to actively cooperate with law enforcement officials in the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of those crimes.
This is the first time that the USCIS reached the quota of 10,000 U visas per fiscal year since the U visa program was implemented in 2008.
The USCIS will issue U visas on October 1, 2010. In the meantime, applications can be submitted and the USCIS will hold conditionally approved applications in abeyance until U visas become available.
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