The Violence Against Women Act lets abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or green card holders petition for themselves: no abuser signature, no abuser knowledge, strict confidentiality. VAWA protects people of every gender. Here’s the whole vawa self petition guide, in plain English.
Abuser involvement: no signature, no knowledge, and strict confidentiality under 8 USC 1367.
Fee for the I-360 itself: VAWA self-petitions carry no filing fee.
Recently divorced spouses can still file within two, where the divorce is connected to the abuse.
Four things make or break a VAWA case, and none of them require the abuser’s cooperation. Meeting these vawa eligibility requirements is what a vawa self petition turns on, and the vawa visa requirements are all satisfied without the abuser’s help.
Of a U.S. citizen or LPR. Recently divorced spouses can file within 2 years where the divorce is connected to the abuse.
The abused child of a citizen or LPR, or the abused parent of an adult U.S. citizen.
Physical abuse is not required: emotional, financial, and psychological abuse count.
plus, for spouses, a marriage entered in good faith.
The vawa application process runs the same five steps for every survivor.
Build the record safely: declarations, police or medical records where they exist, protective orders, counselor letters, and proof of the relationship and good-faith marriage.
File Form I-360, the I-360 immigration self-petition. The abuser is never notified, and USCIS confidentiality rules (8 USC 1367) protect the filing. .
An approved, or prima facie, petition supports deferred action and work authorization (Form I-765).
File Form I-485 to adjust: immediately for spouses and children of citizens, or when the priority date is current for LPR-based cases. VAWA applicants are excused from many status bars.
Interview and green card approval, fully independent of the abuser.
