Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status, is filed with USCIS by survivors of a severe form of human trafficking to obtain temporary immigration status, known as a T visa. Approval grants up to four years of legal status, employment authorization, and protection from removal, and can eventually lead to a green card. Eligible family members may be included through a related supplement.
Applicants must show they are or were victims of severe trafficking, are physically present in the United States on account of that trafficking, and have complied with reasonable law enforcement requests unless exempt due to age or trauma. They must also demonstrate that removal would cause extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm. A signed personal statement and supporting evidence documenting the trafficking are required with every filing.
T visa cases hinge on persuasive, well-organized evidence and careful handling of sensitive personal history, and mistakes or gaps can delay a decision for years. Immigration Professional Association prepares the personal narrative, coordinates law enforcement documentation, and presents a complete package designed to withstand USCIS scrutiny from the start.
Form I-914 carries no USCIS filing fee, and biometrics services are provided at no cost to applicants. This makes T nonimmigrant status one of the few humanitarian benefits with zero direct government cost, though applicants still bear the cost of gathering supporting evidence, medical or psychological evaluations, and legal representation to build a credible, well-documented claim for USCIS review.
USCIS currently takes roughly 30 months just to reach a bona fide determination, with full adjudication commonly stretching to two-and-a-half to three years. A bona fide determination unlocks interim work authorization and deferred action much sooner than final approval, so filing a complete, well-documented package from day one matters more than ever for minimizing delay.
Applicants generally must cooperate with reasonable requests from law enforcement investigating the trafficking, but the form recognizes exceptions for applicants under 18 or those unable to cooperate due to physical or psychological trauma.
Before submitting your application, always confirm that you are using the most recent edition of the form available from USCIS.gov. Filing outdated forms may result in rejection.
A confidential case review to evaluate whether the applicant meets all four T nonimmigrant status requirements before filing. Average budget: $0–$300.
Attorney-guided drafting of the signed personal statement describing the trafficking experience and eligibility factors, handled with trauma-informed care. Average budget: $800–$1,800.
Complete preparation, review, and submission of Form I-914 and all required supporting documentation to the Vermont Service Center. Average budget: $2,500–$5,500.
Coordination with police, prosecutors, or other agencies to obtain cooperation letters or document a trauma-based exemption from cooperation. Average budget: $600–$1,500.
Preparation and filing of Form I-914, Supplement A, for eligible spouses, children, or other qualifying family members. Average budget: $1,200–$2,500 per family member.
Guidance on requesting an EAD concurrently with the T visa application and tracking bona fide determination status. Average budget: $400–$900.
Strategic counsel on the path from T nonimmigrant status to adjustment of status after the required continuous presence period. Average budget: $500–$1,200.
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