U Visa | León & Asociados LLC

The situation

Does this sound familiar?

You were the victim of a serious crime and cooperated with the authorities, or you want to but don’t know how. Your immigration situation is uncertain and you’re afraid. You know the U Visa exists, but nobody resolves the first thing for you: who signs the certification, which office it goes to, how long it can take, and what the package must include for the agency and then USCIS to take it seriously. It’s a long process, but well organized from the first phase it opens the way to a work permit and permanent residency.

About this solution

What is U Visa?

Who it is for

• Victims of eligible crimes
• Physical or emotional harm
• Cooperation with authorities

What it includes

• Initial stage — certification request: we prepare the package ready for YOU to present…
• Finding the right entity to present it to: we identify with you the agency with…
• Information on the criteria agencies usually review before signing: that the crime is…

What we do not do

The signing of the certification: the victim (or her representative) requests it and the agency decides at…

The U Visa is a humanitarian status for victims of certain serious crimes that occurred in the U.S. who suffered substantial harm and helped — or are willing to help — the authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. The process has THREE phases: (1) the official certification (Form I-918B) signed by an agency with jurisdiction over the crime, (2) the I-918 petition before USCIS, which the victim can file herself at no cost and with no attorney required by law, and (3), if USCIS approves it, the path to permanent residency. The certification is requested from the agency of the place where the crime happened, in any state of the country, and each state has its own rules: some, like Minnesota, set a legal deadline for the agency to respond (Minn. Stat. § 611A.95). Here we explain the full path with official sources, we prepare the package for each phase so YOU present it, and we help you locate the exact entity to present it to.

Investment

$1,250 USD

Government fees are paid separately

Estimated time

Varies by case

First step

Write to us by WhatsApp, text or email

How it works

The three phases, explained.

With this you can understand the full process and decide your next step — you don't need a call to know where to start.

Phase 1 · The certification (I-918B)

Signed by an agency with authority over the crime: the police that investigated, the prosecutor's office, or a judge. The victim or her representative requests it; signing is at the agency's discretion and, once signed, it is valid for 6 months to be submitted to USCIS.

The right agency, in any state

The request is presented to the agency of the place where the crime happened — not where you live today —, in any state of the country. It does not require charges or a conviction: having cooperated with an investigation is enough. Some states set a legal response deadline: in Minnesota, 90 days — or 14 if you are in removal proceedings and expressly request it (Minn. Stat. § 611A.95).

No attorney required by law

The I-918 petition is a self-petition: the victim files it herself before USCIS. Free legal aid organizations also support these cases.

Phase 2 · The I-918 petition before USCIS

With the signed certification, Form I-918 is filed at no cost, with your personal statement and the evidence of harm. There is an annual cap of 10,000 visas and the wait can take years; in the meantime USCIS can grant a work permit.

Phase 3 · The path to residency

With U status approved and 3 years of continuous presence, you can apply for permanent residency — a separate filing with its own requirements.

Your information is protected

The certification request goes only to the agency of your case, and some states, like Minnesota, also prohibit that agency from disclosing your immigration status, except by legal order or with your authorization.

Read it before you decide

The whole road on one page

The three phases, the 6-month clock and what qualifies you — in English or Spanish, on screen, no download needed.

On-screen guide · not downloadable

This guide is available on screen at leonyasociadosllc.com.

León & Asociados LLC · Quick guide

The road, in three phases

Getting the signature is not the same as filing the petition. These are the two steps people confuse — and the clock that runs between them.

Who qualifies

✓You were the victim of a qualifying crime that happened in the United States.
✓You suffered substantial physical or mental harm.
✓You have information about the crime.
✓You helped, are helping or are willing to help the authorities.

Phase 1

The agency certification

1We gather the case data: date, place, report number and the agency that responded.
2We identify who can sign: the police that investigated, the county prosecutor or a judge on the case.
3We hand you the finished package and the exact office: you (or your representative) present the request to the agency where the crime happened, not where you live.
4We help you follow up until they answer. Some states set a legal deadline: in Minnesota, 90 days — or 14 if you are in removal proceedings.

Signing is at the agency’s discretion: no law forces it. Once signed, it is valid for 6 months.

Phase 2

The petition before the government

5Your personal statement: what happened, how it affected you and how you helped the authorities.
6Evidence of the harm: medical records, therapy, protective orders, letters from people who know you.
7The petition forms, those for your spouse and children, and the work permit form.
8The complete package is filed within 6 months of the signature. The petition has no filing fee.

If 6 months pass without filing, the certification is void and a new one must be requested from scratch.

Phase 3

The wait and what comes next

9The government takes your biometrics and reviews the case. That initial review usually takes 1 to 3 years.
10If your petition is found bona fide, you may receive a work permit and protection while you wait.
11With the status approved you get legal permission to remain for up to 4 years.
12After 3 years in that status, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residence.

There are only 10,000 principal grants per year and a final decision can take 5 years or more. No one can guarantee an outcome.

León & Asociados LLC is a consultancy that prepares documents: it is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Times and requirements may change — always check uscis.gov.

leonyasociadosllc.com

Prefer us to walk you through it? Write to us and we review your case phase by phase.

Who can apply?

This is for you if…

Victims of eligible crimes

You suffered a serious crime in the U.S., such as domestic violence, assault, kidnapping, extortion or sexual abuse.

Physical or emotional harm

The crime caused you substantial harm that can be documented.

Cooperation with authorities

You helped, are helping or are willing to help in the investigation or prosecution of the case.

Seeking the certification

You need to request the official certification and do not know from whom: we help you locate the agency with jurisdiction over the crime and prepare the package for you to present.

To be able to apply for the U Visa, USCIS establishes that you must meet these eligibility criteria:

✓You were the victim of qualifying criminal activity: domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, trafficking, among others defined by law

✓You suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of that crime

✓You have information about the criminal activity (if you are under 16 or have a disability, a parent, guardian or representative may have it on your behalf)

✓You were helpful, are helping, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime

✓The crime occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws

✓You are admissible to the United States — and if you are not, the law allows requesting a waiver (that analysis belongs to a licensed attorney)

Primary source: USCIS — Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status ↗

What the solution includes

Everything we prepare with you.

Initial stage — certification request: we prepare the package ready for YOU to present (case summary, report number, timeline of your cooperation and request letter)

Finding the right entity to present it to: we identify with you the agency with jurisdiction over the crime — the police department that investigated, the prosecutor’s office handling the case, the court or another authority — with its address and who to direct the letter to

Information on the criteria agencies usually review before signing: that the crime is qualifying, that your help was or will be useful, and that you have information about the case

Tracking of the signed certification’s validity: it must be submitted to the government within 6 months of the signature

Petition stage: preparation of the complete documentary package, with your personal statement and the evidence of harm organized

Personalized evidence checklist and submission instructions

Honest limits

What this solution does not include.

✕The signing of the certification: the victim (or her representative) requests it and the agency decides at its discretion — states that set a deadline, like Minnesota, require it to RESPOND, not to sign

✕Inadmissibility analysis, waivers or complex legal issues: that part belongs to a licensed attorney if your case needs it

✕Guarantee of approval, or that the agency will sign the certification

✕Legal representation before USCIS, in the criminal process or in court

How we work

A clear process, step by step.

You write to us

Tell us your situation through whichever channel you prefer and we explain, at no cost, the scope and the limits of what we do.

Document gathering

You get a clear checklist of what we need, and we answer your questions while you gather it.

Package preparation

We prepare the forms and organize the evidence into a complete, well-ordered package.

Review with you

We review everything with you before filing: nothing goes out without your confirmation.

Filing and follow-up

We file the package, or give you instructions if you send it yourself, and stay with you at every stage.

Investment

Clear costs, no fine print.

León & Asociados solution fee$1,250 USD

Solution fee: $1,250 USD — half ($625) to begin and the rest before filing. Requesting the certification signature is a separate solution (Supplement B, $300) that comes first: this solution starts with a signed, valid certification. Certified translations, inadmissibility waivers and responses to requests for evidence are quoted separately.

USCIS (government) fees$0 (the petition has no fee for crime victims)

Estimated time: Long process: there is an annual cap of 10,000 visas and the wait can take years; the government may grant a work permit while the case awaits a decision.

León & Asociados is not a law firm. The decision to sign the certification belongs exclusively to the agency, and inadmissibility analysis or any legal interpretation belongs to a licensed immigration attorney if your case needs it. Our work is explaining the process with official sources and organizing the document package for each phase.

Start and coordinate payment →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

It is the document signed by an agency with authority over the crime — the police that investigated, the prosecutor's office, a judge, or another government agency — confirming your cooperation in investigating or prosecuting the crime of which you were a victim. You or your representative request it; signing is at the agency's discretion and, once signed, it is valid for 6 months to be submitted to USCIS.

Since 2021, Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 611A.95) requires the certifying agency to respond to your request within 90 days — and within 14 days if you are in removal proceedings and expressly request it. The law also requires the agency to designate a responsible officer, keep a record of requests, and serve you in your language.

The law does not require it: the I-918 petition is a self-petition that the victim files herself before USCIS, at no cost. Inadmissibility analysis or waivers are a matter for a licensed attorney, if your case needs them; free legal aid organizations also support these cases.

Not necessarily. What is required is demonstrating that you were, are, or are likely to be helpful in investigating or prosecuting the crime. In Minnesota, the law clarifies that charges, prosecution, or a conviction are not required: having cooperated with an investigation the agency initiated is enough.

The list includes: domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, human trafficking, torture, abuse, obstruction of justice, and other crimes covered by law. The victim must have suffered substantial physical or mental harm.

Phase 1: the I-918B certification signed by the agency. Phase 2: the I-918 petition before USCIS, at no cost, with your statement and the evidence of harm — there is an annual cap of 10,000 visas and the wait can take years, but USCIS can grant a work permit in the meantime. Phase 3, with the status approved and 3 years of continuous presence: the application for permanent residency.

No, and no honest provider can: the decision belongs to the authority reviewing your case. What we do stand behind is our work: a complete, organized file reviewed before it is filed.

No. The USCIS fee is paid separately, to the government; we process that payment on your behalf when filing. Our fee covers preparing your documentation. The investment section of this page shows both separately.

Read this page calmly and write to us by WhatsApp, text or email with your situation in a few lines. We confirm the scope and the fee. You sign the agreement, in Spanish and English —Minnesota law gives you 72 hours to rescind it, with a full refund—, and we open your portal so you can upload your documents securely.

Ready to start your case?

You already have the full explanation of the three phases with their official sources. If you decide to move forward, contact us to organize the certification package or the USCIS petition — no prior call needed to understand the process.

Write on WhatsApp

Legal notice

ESPAÑOL

León & Asociados LLC es una empresa de consultoría profesional registrada en el estado de Minnesota. Ofrecemos dos líneas de solución: (1) preparación de formularios y documentación migratoria, y (2) consultoría en optimización de procesos, análisis de datos, metodología Lean Six Sigma y automatización.

León & Asociados LLC NO es una firma de abogados y ninguno de sus representantes es abogado, ingeniero profesional licenciado (PE), ni asesor legal o financiero.

Las soluciones de preparación migratoria se limitan a la organización y preparación de formularios conforme a las instrucciones oficiales de USCIS; no constituyen asesoría legal de ningún tipo. Las soluciones de consultoría técnica se basan en metodologías de mejora de procesos y análisis de datos; no constituyen práctica profesional de ingeniería regulada.

Para asuntos que requieran representación legal migratoria o soluciones de ingeniería profesional licenciada, León & Asociados LLC recomienda consultar con un abogado de inmigración licenciado o un ingeniero profesional (PE) con licencia activa.

ENGLISH

León & Asociados LLC is a professional consulting firm registered in the state of Minnesota. We offer two lines of service: (1) preparation of immigration forms and documentation, and (2) consulting in process optimization, data analysis, Lean Six Sigma methodology, and automation.

León & Asociados LLC is NOT a law firm, and none of its representatives is an attorney, licensed professional engineer (PE), or legal or financial advisor.

Immigration preparation solutions are limited to the organization and preparation of forms in accordance with the official USCIS instructions; they do not constitute legal advice of any kind. Technical consulting solutions are based on process-improvement methodologies and data analysis; they do not constitute the regulated professional practice of engineering.

For matters requiring legal immigration representation or licensed professional engineering solutions, León & Asociados LLC recommends consulting a licensed immigration attorney or a professional engineer (PE) with an active license.

León & Asociados LLC · Professional consulting · Not a law firm or licensed engineering firm · Minnesota, USA