T Visa Guide: Protection for Trafficking Survivors

If you’ve survived human trafficking, the T visa may be your path to safety and legal status in the United States. It lets you stay in the country, work legally, access government benefits, and eventually apply for a Green Card. There is no fee to file the T visa application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and you can include some family members as derivative applicants.

T visas at a glance

• Who qualifies: Survivors of sex trafficking or labor trafficking who are in the U.S.
• How long it lasts: Up to four years, with possible extensions
• Visa benefits: Work authorization, federal benefits, and a pathway to a Green Card
• Annual cap: 5,000 T visas per year (family members don’t count toward the cap)
• How to apply: File Form I-914 with USCIS (no filing fee)

What is the T visa?

The T visa, formally called T nonimmigrant status, is for people who were trafficked into or within the United States and are still here as a result. You don’t need to be in a current trafficking situation to apply. You can qualify if you’ve escaped or been released, as well as if you’re still in the country out of fear of returning home or while recovering from trauma.

Congress created the T visa in 2000 through the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and unlike most nonimmigrant visas, you apply from inside the U.S. instead of at an embassy abroad.

Types of T visas

There are six types of T visas. The T-1 is available to the primary victim, and the other statuses are for different family members.

• T-1 nonimmigrant status: Victims of human trafficking
• T-2 nonimmigrant status: Spouses of T-1 visa holders
• T-3 nonimmigrant status: Unmarried children under age 21 of T-1 visa holders
• T-4 nonimmigrant status: Parents of T-1 visa holders
• T-5 nonimmigrant status: Unmarried siblings under age 18 of T-1 visa holders
• T-6 nonimmigrant status: Child of a derivative family member (T-2 through T-5 holders)

Who qualifies for a T visa?

You must meet the following five criteria to qualify for a T visa:

1. You experienced sex trafficking or labor trafficking as defined by federal law.
2. You are physically present in the U.S. as a result of that trafficking.
3. You complied with reasonable requests from law enforcement to cooperate with any investigation, unless you qualify for one of the exceptions below.
4. You would face extreme hardship or harm if forced to leave the U.S.
5. You are otherwise admissible to the U.S., or have received a waiver.

How federal law defines human trafficking

The T nonimmigrant status is only available for victims of a “severe form of trafficking in persons,” which includes sex trafficking and labor trafficking.

Sex trafficking includes being recruited, transported, or obtained for a commercial sex act through force, fraud, or coercion. For anyone under 18, coercion does not need to be proven.

Labor trafficking includes being forced to work through involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or slavery. Debt bondage is especially common: traffickers charge survivors for transportation, housing, or food and keep adding “expenses” so the debt can never be repaid.

What if you can’t cooperate with law enforcement?

USCIS accepts all credible evidence of compliance and does not require a law enforcement certification to approve your application. For survivors who were unable to cooperate with law enforcement, there are a couple of exceptions.

• You are automatically exempt from the cooperation requirement if you are under 18.
• You may qualify for a “trauma exception” if severe psychological or physical trauma made cooperation impossible.

How to apply for a T visa

The application for T nonimmigrant status is Form I-914, which must be mailed to USCIS with all supporting documents. You may also want to file Form I-765 for work authorization.

File Form I-914

This is your main application. Submit it with:

• A personal statement
• Supporting evidence (medical records, police reports, affidavits, etc.)
• Form I-914 Supplement B, if you have a law enforcement declaration
• Form I-914 Supplement A, if you are applying for other family members
• Form I-192, if you have any prior immigration or criminal history

There is no filing fee, but you must mail it to the correct USCIS address to avoid processing delays. Find the latest mailing address in the I-914 instructions from USCIS.

File Form I-765

If USCIS finds your T visa application is credible (a bona fide application), you can receive work authorization while your case is still pending by filing Form I-765 alongside your I-914. It’s free to file both forms simultaneously.

What you get with a T visa

T visa holders receive lawful status in the U.S. for up to four years, work authorization, and access to the same federal and state benefits as refugees, including cash assistance, healthcare, housing, and food programs. To get most of these benefits, you’ll need a certification from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Survivors under 18 are eligible without certification.

You can also apply for a travel permit (Form I-131) to travel outside the U.S. and return. After three years in the U.S., you may be eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence and a Green Card.

Can your family be protected too?

Yes, certain family members can receive derivative T visa status through your application. File Form I-914 Supplement A on their behalf. Family members already in the U.S. can receive status without leaving. Those abroad must apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

If you are 21 or older, you can include your spouse (T-2 visa) and unmarried children under 21 (T-3 visa). If you are under 21, you can include your parents (T-4 visa) and unmarried siblings under 18 (T-5 visa).

If any family member faces danger of retaliation because of your escape or cooperation with law enforcement, you can include them regardless of age (T-4, T-5, or T-6 visa).

T visa to a Green Card

You may be eligible to apply for a Green Card after holding T visa status for at least three years (or for the duration of a trafficking investigation, whichever comes first). You must have continued cooperation with law enforcement, and be able to show you would face extreme hardship if removed. You also need to meet all other requirements to become a permanent resident, such as showing good moral character.

There is no annual cap on Green Cards for T visa holders.

T Visa vs. U Visa

Both the T and U visa categories protect crime survivors, but they serve different situations. The T visa is only for trafficking survivors. The U visa covers a broader range of qualifying crimes, including assault and domestic violence, but it requires a law enforcement certification and currently has a long waitlist. Both offer a path to a Green Card after three years. If you’re unsure which applies to you, an immigration attorney can help you evaluate both options.

Work with an immigration attorney

T visa cases are complex and deeply personal. An experienced attorney can help you build the strongest possible application, navigate the law enforcement requirements, and respond if USCIS requests more information.

At Manifest Law, our immigration attorneys work with trafficking survivors with care, confidentiality, and deep expertise. Request a consultation to start the T visa process on the right foot.

T visa FAQs

Can I apply for a T visa if I’m afraid to report my trafficker?

Yes, in many cases you can apply for a T visa without first contacting law enforcement. The under-18 exemption and trauma exemption remove that requirement. See USCIS’s guidance on T visa exemptions, or speak with an attorney to evaluate your specific situation.

What if my T visa application is denied?

If USCIS denied your T visa application, you will receive a written explanation and may be able to file a motion to reconsider or appeal. You may also qualify for other relief, such as a U visa, VAWA immigration, or asylum. An immigration attorney can help you figure out your next step.

How long does it take to get a T visa?

USCIS processes most T visa applications within 28 months, as of February 2026. Learn more about USCIS processing times.

Can I travel outside the U.S. with a T visa?

Yes, you can travel internationally with a T visa, but you must first receive a travel document (Form I-131) to avoid potentially losing your status.

What if my T visa expires before my Green Card is approved?

USCIS can extend your T visa status beyond four years if needed to complete a law enforcement investigation or while your Green Card application is pending.