VAWA self-petition requirements
VAWA provides a way for survivors to gain independence and secure legal status in the U.S. Applicants can file on their own (self-petition) without the abuser’s knowledge, ensuring their safety.
You may qualify for a VAWA self-petition if you meet these criteria:
- You are the spouse, child, or parent of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR).
- You were subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by the abusive relative (or your child was abused if you’re applying as a spouse).
- You currently live or previously lived with the abusive relative.
- You can demonstrate that you are a person of good moral character.
If you're applying as the spouse, intended spouse, or former spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) who is abusive, one of the following applies:
- You are currently married to the abuser.
- Your marriage ended in divorce (due to abuse) or the abuser's death (U.S. citizen spouses only) within the past 2 years.
- Your spouse lost or renounced citizenship or LPR status within the past 2 years due to domestic violence.
- You believed your marriage was legal but it wasn’t because your spouse was already married (bigamy).
If you are self-petitioning as the spouse of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, then you must also demonstrate that you entered into the marriage in good faith and not for the purpose of evading immigration laws.
In certain circumstances you may remain eligible for the VAWA self-petition if your abusive relative lost or renounced their U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or if your abusive relative died.
If you are living outside of the United States at the time you file the self-petition, you must demonstrate one of the following in addition to the eligibility requirements listed above:
- Your abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relative is an employee of the U.S. government.
- Your abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent relative is a member of the U.S. armed forces.
- Or you were subjected to battery or extreme cruelty in the United States.
The easiest way to get started is to call now on +1-888-370-7022 or use the enquiry form.
Hi, I'm Manuel.
It has been three decades since I started working as a lawyer, and during this time I have come to know immigrants well. I have witnessed the courage shown by so many of them, who have risked their own lives to fight for the welfare of their families.
I feel enormously blessed to serve as a tool to help you on the road to achieving your dreams in this great country of opportunities - a challenge that I accepted with a great sense of responsibility.
The Law Offices of Manuel Solis
Blessed with the strength and help of God, and inspired by a sense of duty to help families to be together, for almost 30 years we have been able to fight and win more than 50,000 cases that have positively impacted thousands of people.
Thanks to the tireless work of my team of more than 200 professionals, among which are the 20 lawyers who fight with me, we have defended the immigrants who have put their future in our hands.
Because our mission is to help families, we have ten offices in four states: Texas, Illinois, California, and Colorado. With involvement in the communities, we have managed to extend a helping hand to those who need it.
How can we help you?