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Many people have asked how they’re current processing U Visas at the Vermont Service Center given the lengthy U Visa backlog. This is a summary of what we know now (which, as always, is subject to change if we learn something more).
Once the 10,000 U visa numbers are used up for the year, the Vermont Service Center keeps processing U Visa applications. But once a case is ready to approve, if there are no visa numbers left the USCIS is issuing “deferred action” status (or DAS). Applicants approved for deferred action will receive a letter.
Deferred action allows the applicant to apply for work authorization while they wait for the visa number to become available.
The new set of 10,000 visa numbers becomes available each year on October 1, which is the start of the fiscal year.
It is my understand that there are something like 95,000 U Visa applications pending.
Once the 10,000 U visa numbers are used up for the year, the Vermont Service Center keeps processing U Visa applications. But once a case is ready to approve, if there are no visa numbers left the USCIS is issuing “deferred action” status (or DAS). Applicants approved for deferred action will receive a letter.
Deferred action allows the applicant to apply for work authorization while they wait for the visa number to become available.
The new set of 10,000 visa numbers becomes available each year on October 1, which is the start of the fiscal year.
It is my understand that there are something like 95,000 U Visa applications pending.
