Who this is for
- People who are or were victims of sex trafficking or labor trafficking
- People who are in the U.S., or at a port of entry, on account of the trafficking
- People who have complied with reasonable requests from law enforcement, unless an exception applies
- People who would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed
- Certain family members may be included through a separate supplement
Forms involved
| Form | Official name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| I-914 | Application for T-1 Nonimmigrant Status | The main application describing the trafficking and how the applicant meets each requirement. |
| I-914 Supplement A | Application for Family Member of T-1 Recipient | Used to include eligible family members. |
| I-914 Supplement B | Declaration for Trafficking Victim | An optional statement from a law enforcement official that can support the application. |
| I-192 | Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant | Used to ask for a waiver if any inadmissibility grounds apply. |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Used later by T status holders who meet the requirements to apply for a green card. |
Step by step
- Get to safety and supportIf you are in danger, call 911. USCIS pages list resources and hotlines for trafficking survivors.
- Report and cooperate if you canApplicants generally need to have reported the trafficking and responded to reasonable law enforcement requests, unless an exception applies.
- Prepare Form I-914 and your statementWrite a personal statement about how you meet each requirement. USCIS considers any credible evidence.
- Add supplements and waiversInclude Supplement B if available, Supplement A for family members, and Form I-192 if a waiver is needed.
- File and attend biometricsSubmit the application to the address in the official instructions and attend the biometrics appointment.
- Bona fide review and decisionUSCIS may first decide whether the application is bona fide, which can allow work authorization and deferred action while the case is reviewed.
- Apply for a green card laterAfter holding T status for the required time, or once the investigation or prosecution is complete, holders can generally apply for permanent residence.
Documents usually requested
- Personal statement in your own words
- Form I-914 Supplement B from a law enforcement official, if available
- Records showing you reported the trafficking or cooperated with authorities
- Any court records, police reports or statements from service providers
- Evidence of hardship you would face if removed
- Identity documents such as a passport or birth certificate
- Proof of relationship for any family members included
- Certified English translations of foreign-language documents
How long it takes
Timing depends on USCIS workload, whether a bona fide review is completed first, and whether more evidence is requested. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ for current information.
Government filing fees
Form I-914 and its supplements generally have no filing fee, while some related forms may carry a fee unless an exemption or fee waiver applies. Fees are set by USCIS and change; see uscis.gov/g-1055.
Working and traveling while you wait
Applicants found to have a bona fide application may receive work authorization while waiting, and T status holders are generally authorized to work. Travel outside the U.S. can affect eligibility, so talk to an attorney before leaving.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Believing a Supplement B from law enforcement is required, when it is optional
- Not explaining why an exception to cooperation applies, if it does
- Leaving out past arrests or immigration history, even if connected to the trafficking
- Not including a waiver request when inadmissibility issues exist
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to cooperate with police to get a T visa?
Generally yes, applicants must comply with reasonable requests from law enforcement, but there are exceptions. Applicants who were under 18 at the time of the trafficking, and those who cannot cooperate because of physical or psychological trauma, may be exempt. An attorney can explain how the exceptions apply.
Is a law enforcement declaration required for a T visa?
No, Supplement B is optional. It can be helpful evidence, but USCIS considers any credible evidence of trafficking and cooperation.
Can I get a green card with a T visa?
Yes, many T status holders can apply for a green card after holding status for a required period, or sooner if the investigation or prosecution is complete. They generally must show continuous presence and good moral character, among other requirements.
Can family members be included?
Often yes, certain family members such as a spouse and children, and in some cases parents and siblings, can be included using Supplement A.
Does labor trafficking count, or only sex trafficking?
Both count. Labor trafficking, such as forced work through force, fraud or coercion, is a severe form of trafficking under the law.
Official sources
Last reviewed: October 2026
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Immigration rules, forms and fees change often — always check the official sources above. MyUSVisa is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; legal advice comes only from the licensed attorney you choose.