Residency Applications for Victims of Domestic Violence

What is VAWA?

VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) is a law that allows certain immigrants or foreign nationals (men and women) and their children who have been victims of domestic violence by their spouse, parent, or child, who is a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident or Citizen, to self-petition for U.S. residency or a Green Card.

Who Is Eligible for VAWA-based U.S. Residency?

• Non-resident Spouses
  Non-resident spouses who entered into their marriage in good faith—not for the purpose of immigration benefits—and who were abused by their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse may qualify for VAWA protections. The applicant must currently reside in the United States or have been living in the U.S. at the time the abuse occurred.

  Unmarried children under the age of 21 may also be included in the spouse’s VAWA self-petition, even if they were not direct victims of the abuse.

• Non-resident Children
  Non-resident children under 21, unmarried, who have been abused by their U.S. resident or citizen parent. A child may file after age 21 but before age 25 if they can prove that the delay in filing was due to the abuse.
• Non-resident Parents
  Non-resident parents abused by their U.S. resident or citizen sons or daughters (age 21 or older).