T-Visa: Protection for Trafficking Survivors
The T-visa offers protection and a path to stability for certain survivors of human trafficking who are in the United States as a result. These cases are handled with confidentiality and care.
Who the T-visa can help
The T-visa is for certain survivors of severe forms of trafficking — for labor or commercial sex — who meet specific requirements. Cooperation with law enforcement is often part of it, though important exceptions exist, and eligibility is very fact-specific.
How we help
We evaluate whether the T-visa or another protection fits your situation, help you gather what is needed, and handle your case with discretion. Everything you share is confidential. Se habla espanol.
Frequently asked questions
What is a T-visa?
A T-visa is a form of protection for survivors of human trafficking, whether the trafficking involved forced labor or commercial sex. It can provide lawful status, work authorization, and eventually a possible path to a green card. If you think you may have been trafficked, an attorney can help you explore your options confidentially. Se habla espanol.
How do I know if what happened to me counts as trafficking?
Human trafficking can involve being forced, tricked, or coerced into labor or commercial sex, and it does not always involve physical restraint or crossing a border. Many survivors do not realize that what they experienced qualifies. Speaking with an attorney can help you understand whether your situation may fit.
Do I have to help law enforcement to get a T-visa?
In general, T-visa applicants are expected to comply with reasonable requests from law enforcement to help investigate or prosecute the trafficking. However, there are important exceptions, including for trauma and for those who were young at the time. An attorney can explain how these rules apply to you.
What if I am too traumatized to work with law enforcement?
The law recognizes that trauma can make cooperation difficult, and an exception may apply if you are unable to cooperate due to physical or psychological trauma. You do not have to face this alone. An attorney can help present your circumstances with care.
Is my T-visa application confidential?
Yes. Strong confidentiality protections apply, and the government is restricted from sharing your information in ways that could endanger you. These safeguards are meant to help you come forward safely. Your attorney will also keep everything you share private.
Can I work in the United States with a T-visa?
Yes. Approved T-visa holders generally receive work authorization, allowing you to support yourself lawfully. This can be an important step toward rebuilding stability and independence. Your attorney can guide you through the process.
Do I qualify for a T-visa if I entered the country illegally?
Many trafficking survivors were brought into the country or ended up here through no fault of their own, and how you entered does not automatically disqualify you. The focus is on the trafficking you survived. An attorney can review your entry and explain how it affects your case.
Can a T-visa lead to a green card?
Yes. After meeting certain requirements and remaining in valid status for a required period, T-visa holders may be able to apply for lawful permanent residence. This offers hope for a more permanent future. An attorney can explain the steps involved.
What is the difference between a T-visa and a U-visa?
A T-visa is specifically for survivors of human trafficking, while a U-visa is for victims of certain serious crimes more broadly. The two have different requirements, though some people may qualify for either. An attorney can help you decide which path fits your situation best.
Can I include my family in my T-visa case?
In many cases you can petition for certain family members, such as your spouse, children, and sometimes parents or siblings depending on your age and circumstances. This can help protect loved ones who may also be at risk. Your attorney can explain exactly who may qualify.
What kind of evidence supports a T-visa application?
Helpful evidence can include your own detailed statement, records from service providers, medical or counseling records, and any documentation related to the trafficking. Your own account of what happened can be very important. An attorney can help you gather and present it compassionately.
Is there a fee to apply for a T-visa?
Fees and fee waiver options can vary depending on your situation. Cost should not prevent you from seeking protection. An attorney can explain what applies and whether a waiver may be available.
How long does a T-visa case take?
Processing times can vary and may change over time. While your case is pending, there may be protections available to you. Your attorney can help you understand your status throughout the process.
I was trafficked but never reported it. Can I still apply?
Yes, it may still be possible to apply even if you never formally reported the trafficking, especially where cooperation exceptions apply. Many survivors were afraid or unable to come forward at the time. An attorney can help you understand your options today.
Will my trafficker find out if I apply for a T-visa?
Confidentiality protections are designed to keep your information safe, and the government is restricted from disclosing it in ways that could put you at risk. Your safety is a central concern of the process. If you have specific fears, share them with your attorney so they can be handled carefully.
Do I need to have been physically held captive to qualify?
No. Trafficking often relies on threats, fraud, debt, or psychological coercion rather than physical chains or locked doors. Many survivors were technically free to move but felt they could not leave. An attorney can help explain how your experience may qualify.
Can men and boys apply for a T-visa?
Yes. Human trafficking affects people of all genders and ages, and survivors of any gender may apply. Labor trafficking in particular affects many men and boys. Everyone who has survived trafficking deserves the chance to seek protection.
What if I was trafficked as a child?
Special protections may apply to survivors who were young at the time, including relaxed cooperation requirements. Being trafficked as a minor is taken very seriously under the law. An attorney can explain the additional protections that may help you.
Can a notario help me with my T-visa?
No. Only a licensed attorney or an accredited representative can give legal advice and properly handle your case — a notary or notario cannot. Trusting an unqualified person can harm your case and your safety. It is safer to work with a licensed professional. Se habla espanol.
I am afraid to come forward. Is it safe to talk to a lawyer?
Conversations with an attorney are confidential, and a good immigration attorney understands the fear and trauma trafficking survivors carry. You can share your story at your own pace in a safe, private setting. Taking that first step can open the door to protection and healing.
This is federal law — but where you are still matters
What is on this page applies the same way in every state. Which office and court handle your case, how detention works where you are, and how far local police cooperate with immigration enforcement are not the same across California, Arizona and New Mexico. Pick your state for that.