T Visa

Overview

Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers typically lure individuals with false promises of employment and a better life. Victims of severe forms of human trafficking are provided relief under U.S. immigration law by the Victims of Trafficking in Persons (T) nonimmigrant visa. This status allows victims of human trafficking to remain in the United States to assist in investigations or prosecutions of human trafficking violators.

Foreign citizens seeking T-1 nonimmigrant status must be physically present in the United States already, due to human trafficking. Therefore, U.S. embassy, consulate, or office providing consular services abroad (outside the United States) do not issue T-1 visas but may issue qualifying family members T (derivative) visas.

T1 Visas for Immediate Family Members (File an Application with USCIS)

As a T-1 nonimmigrant status applicant, you may apply for certain family members in conjunction with your own application, or at a later date, with USCIS. Depending on your age, you are able to apply for the following family members:

If you are:	Then you may file for your:
under age 21,	Spouse (T-2) Children (T-3) Parents (T-4) Unmarried siblings under age 18 (T-5)
age 21 or older,	Spouse (T-2) Children (T-3)
Any age, if your family member faces a present danger of retaliation as a result of your escape from trafficking or your cooperation with law enforcement,	Parents (T-4) Unmarried siblings under age 18 (T-5)

If you are a qualifying family member of a T-1 principal applicant or T-1 nonimmigrant status holder, he or she may file for derivative T nonimmigrant status for you. The T-1 principal applicant or T-1 nonimmigrant status holder must file Form I-914, Supplement A, Application for Immediate Family Member of T-1 Recipient, directly with the USCIS Vermont Service Center, regardless of where you are currently located. Before USCIS approves Form I-914, Supplement A, qualifying family members aged 14-79 will receive a Notice of Action instructing them to go to the nearest USCIS office for fingerprinting. If you are outside the United States, you must submit fingerprints at the nearest USCIS office. If there is no USCIS office in your country, you must go to a U.S. embassy, consulate, or office providing consular services to have your fingerprints taken. Check the local information section of this page for instructions on requesting a fingerprinting appointment for a Form I-914, Supplement A, Application for Immediate Family Member of T-1 Recipient. Contact the Nonimmigrant Visa section if you have questions, and be sure to specify that you need fingerprints collected as part of a Form I-914, Supplement A. There is no fee for this fingerprinting service. Do not wait for the U.S. embassy, consulate, or office providing consular services to contact you.

USCIS will inform you in writing when your Form I-914, Supplement A, is approved or denied. If approved, you will receive a notice of approval on Form I-797, Notice of Action, from USCIS stating your Form I-914, Supplement A, has been approved.

For more details on a T Visa, visit Travel.State.gov.

Be sure to view local information below to determine fees and payment process and additional requirements.

How to Apply

Complete the Online Visa Application

- - - Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
    - Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements

Some applicants will need to have additional information and documents handy while completing the DS-160

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified.

After you complete your DS-160, gather the required documentation

- - - Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
    - Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
    - Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
    - Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
    - Form I-797, Notice of Action, from USCIS indicating approval of Form I-914, Supplement A.

Additional Information

- - - We cannot guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
    - Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
    - Information for T-2, T-3, T-4, and T-5 visa holders about permission to work in the United States is available on the USCIS website under Work Authorization. T-2, T-3, T-4, and T-5 visa holders are permitted to study in the United States.

Pay Fees (Prices in U.S. Dollars)

Each Applicant must pay a non-refundable processing (MRV) fee of US$160.00.

For some nationalities and visa types, an additional issuance fee may be required. Detailed information is available on your country of nationality’s Reciprocity Table on travel.state.gov . These additional fees will be paid at the time of your interview.

Schedule an Interview

If your Form I-914, Supplement A, Application for Immediate Family Member of T-1 Recipient, is approved by USCIS and you are outside of the United States, you must apply for a T visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, generally in your country of permanent residence. You may schedule your visa appointment immediately upon receiving Form I-797 from USCIS stating your Form I-914, Supplement A, has been approved. Do not wait for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact you.

Schedule an interview online (using the barcode of your Form DS-160) and print the appointment confirmation. Because of space limitations in our public waiting area, only the person with an appointment for an interview will be admitted. Exceptions: Parents or guardians of a minor child who has an appointment, a caregiver for a disabled person, and young children accompanying the person with an appointment will be allowed to enter the waiting area.

Applicants aged 14 – 79 are required (some exceptions for renewals) to book one interview slot each and appear in person for an interview with a consular officer. While an interview is generally not required for children aged 13 and younger or for adults aged 80 and older, please keep in mind that a consular officer can require any applicant to appear for an interview. When submitting an application for a non-present child, the person present at the interview should bring the child’s birth certificate or family book as a supporting document.

Local Information

Please read the information in this section carefully. It contains location-specific information that you will need to know when applying for your Visa.

Select the country or area where you will apply for your visa:

Application Status

You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov.

Some visa applications may require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.

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