The T visa for survivors of human trafficking

Your steps, in order

1. 1

   Get free, honest legal help before you file

   Only a licensed attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice recognized organization may give you immigration legal advice. A notario público is not allowed to give immigration legal services, no matter what the sign says.89

   The Justice Department's immigration courts publish a List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers four times a year (January, April, July and October). It lists nonprofits and attorneys who give free legal help, grouped by immigration court location.10

   In Utah, Catholic Community Services and Holy Cross Ministries both run immigration legal programs (numbers are in the state section below).11

   Tip:

   Blank immigration forms are always free at uscis.gov/forms. Never pay anyone just to get a form.9

2. 2

   Check the four requirements

   You must be or have been a victim of a severe form of trafficking. You must be in the United States, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or at a port of entry because of the trafficking.1

   You must have complied with reasonable requests from law enforcement to help investigate or prosecute the trafficking, unless an exception applies (next step). And you must show you would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed.1

   You also must be admissible, or ask USCIS to waive the problem on Form I-192. A lawyer can tell you whether anything in your past needs a waiver.13

3. 3

   Understand the law enforcement part, and its exceptions

   Most applicants must have reported the trafficking to a law enforcement agency at least once. One documented contact may be enough, and it can be by phone or online.5

   You don't have to cooperate if you were under 18 when at least one act of trafficking happened, or if physical or psychological trauma keeps you from cooperating. For the trauma exception, send credible proof, such as your own statement, a statement from a counselor or doctor, or medical or police records.15

   Whether a request was reasonable depends on your situation, including your trauma, your safety, your age and health, and whether you had an interpreter or attorney.5

   Form I-914 Supplement B is a declaration that a law enforcement agency fills out. It helps but isn't required: you may instead send other proof, such as proof of Continued Presence, police reports, court records or sworn statements from witnesses.15

4. 4

   Put your application together

   File Form I-914 with a detailed personal statement, signed, in your own words. It should describe what happened to you, why you're in the U.S. because of it, the hardship you would face if removed, and your contact with law enforcement. Add any credible evidence that supports it. Every principal applicant also gives fingerprints and a photo (biometrics).3

   To apply for family members, add Form I-914 Supplement A for each one. USCIS strongly recommends filing Form I-765 (work permit) together with your I-914, so it can decide your work permit sooner.1

   If you're in immigration court or have a removal order, you still file with USCIS. USCIS generally won't refer you for removal while your case is pending.3

   Bring

   • Form I-914 and your signed personal statement
   • Form I-914 Supplement A for each family member
   • Form I-765 for the work permit
   • Supplement B or other proof of contact with law enforcement, if you have it
   • Proof of age if you were under 18 when trafficked (birth certificate or passport)
   • Form I-192 if a lawyer says you need a waiver
5. 5

   Get a bona fide determination and a work permit

   Since August 28, 2024, USCIS first checks whether your application is bona fide: complete, properly filed, with a signed personal statement and background checks that raise no national security concern. If it is, USCIS can give you deferred action and a work permit while your case waits.14

   A bona fide determination also automatically pauses any final order of removal.4

   The bona fide notice also lets you ask HHS for a Certification Letter, which opens refugee-type benefits. A receipt notice alone isn't enough. Our guide on benefits for trafficking survivors explains what the letter unlocks.7

6. 6

   After approval: family, extensions, and a green card

   T status is usually granted for 4 years. In some situations you can extend it on Form I-539. DHS can grant T status to no more than 5,000 principal applicants in a fiscal year.16

   If you were under 21 when you applied, you can apply for your spouse, children, parents and unmarried brothers and sisters under 18. If you were 21 or older, you can apply for your spouse and children. At any age, parents, unmarried siblings under 18, and children of family members with T status may qualify if they face present danger of retaliation.21

   You can apply for a green card after 3 years of continuous presence in the U.S. in T status, or sooner if the investigation or prosecution has ended. Don't leave the U.S. without advance parole, or you may lose your status.13

   Tip:

   Want someone to walk this with you? Call or text 888-860-RISE and we'll connect you with a person on our team who can help you find legal help near you.

What it costs

State rules and special situations

A few situations change how the process works for you. These come from federal rules and each state's own law or court pages.

Questions people ask

Keep going: more first-step guides

Sources

Official pages, read in October 2026. Rules change. If something here looks out of date, please let us know at hello@riseaid.org and we'll fix it.

1. 1.U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Victims of Human Trafficking: T Nonimmigrant Status
2. 2.Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 214.201 (via Cornell Law School). T nonimmigrant status: definitions (eligible family member)
3. 3.Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 214.204 (via Cornell Law School). T nonimmigrant status: application
4. 4.Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 214.205 (via Cornell Law School). T nonimmigrant status: bona fide determination
5. 5.Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 214.208 (via Cornell Law School). Compliance with reasonable requests for assistance from law enforcement
6. 6.Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 214.210 (via Cornell Law School). T nonimmigrant status: annual numerical limit
7. 7.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Trafficking in Persons. Certification Letters
8. 8.U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Avoid immigration scams (flyer)
9. 9.Federal Trade Commission. Avoid immigration scams and get real help
10. 10.U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review. List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers
11. 11.Utah State Courts. Free legal services organizations
12. 12.Illinois General Assembly. 5 ILCS 825: Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act
13. 13.California Department of Social Services. Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program: benefits and services
14. 14.National Human Trafficking Hotline. National Human Trafficking Hotline