Visa Types – Victims of Trafficking in Persons, T Visas
Under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, the United States adopted a new visa type for aliens who have been victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons, the “T” visa. The T visa allows qualifying victims and, sometimes, their immediate family members, to travel to the U.S. temporarily to live and work.
Who Is Eligible For The “T” Visa?
To be eligible for a T visa, an alien must qualify as a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons. Additionally, the victim’s immediate family members may qualify for T visas, as well.
How Do I Apply?
Documentation and fees are required of all T visa applicants, and fingerprinting is sometimes required. First, the alien must complete an application package, consisting of the following: (1) proof regarding the alien’s claim of trafficking; (2) three nonimmigrant photographs; (3) complete answers to all of the questions on the form; (4) a supplemental application for each family member; and (5) a complete signature. Second, all applicants and family members who are between the ages of 14 and 79 must be fingerprinted and must have their backgrounds checked. Applicants are automatically told when and where to have the fingerprinting completed. Finally, if the applicant or his or her family members wish to work in the U.S., each must file an application for employment authorization.
Additionally, there is an application fee, which increases incrementally with the addition of each family member, and there are fingerprinting fees for each person who must undergo that procedure. Although waivers of the application fee are sometimes granted, no waiver is available for the fingerprinting.
Copyright 2012 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.
| Robert Beles | - | State Certified Criminal Law Specialist |
| Anne Beles | - | State Certified Criminal Law Specialist |
| Paul McCarthy | - | State Certified Appellate Law Specialist |
| Emilio Parker | - | State Certified Immigration Law Specialist |
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