What is a Vawa Visa?

The VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) visa is an immigration benefit that allows certain victims of domestic violence, physical or psychological abuse, to file an independent petition for permanent residency in the United States, without relying on their abuser. Although its name refers to women, this resource is available to both women and men, as well as to qualifying children and parents.

Reasons to apply for a Vawa Visa

The VAWA visa can be requested by individuals who have suffered mistreatment or abuse at the hands of a family member who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident. The main reasons include:

• Victims of domestic violence, physical, psychological or emotional abuse.
• Sons or daughters abused by a parent who is a citizen or permanent resident.
• Parents who suffer abuse from a U.S. citizen child.
• Wives or husbands who are victims of abuse by their citizen or resident spouse.

This benefit seeks to protect those who have been harmed, offering the possibility of obtaining an independent and secure legal status.

Restrictions for

the Vawa Visa application

Although the VAWA visa provides protection and a path to residency, it also has significant limitations:

• The applicant must prove the family relationship with the aggressor (spouse, father/mother or child).
• Evidence of abuse is required (police reports, medical or psychological evaluations, sworn statements, among others).
• Not all family conflict situations qualify; it must involve verifiable violence or abuse.
• The process can be complex and requires strict compliance with the immigration requirements established by USCIS.