U visas give victims of certain crimes temporary legal status and work eligibility in the U.S. for up to four years. The U visa is a nonimmigrant visa and only 10,000 U visas may be issued every fiscal year. Family members may also be included in the petition including spouses and children if the petitioner is over 21 years old, and spouses, unmarried children, unmarried sisters and brothers under 18, mothers, fathers, as well as stepparents and adoptive parents if the petitioner is under 21 years. An approved U visa petition will automatically grant the applicant work eligibility in the United States.
