Overview

Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994. It allows spouses and children of United States citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPR) to obtain lawful permanent residency through self-petition. It also provides immigration relief for battered immigrants in order to seek safety and independence from their abuser.

Eligibility Requirements

• Spouse: You may self-petition if you are a battered spouse married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Unmarried children under the age of 21, who have not filed their own self-petition, may be included on your petition as derivative beneficiaries.;
• Parent: You may self-petition if you are the parent of a child who has been abused by your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse. Your children (under 21 years of age and unmarried), including those who may not have been abused, may be included on your petition as derivative beneficiaries, if they have not filed their own self-petition;
• Child: You may self-petition if you are a battered child (under 21 years of age and unmarried) who has been abused by your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent.

The attorney can assist you in preparing and completing your application. Here’s how it works:

1. Fill out the Standard questionnaire and the payment form online. Then submit.
2. Within a few minutes, we will e-mail you a (a) Visa application questionnaire, (b) our Retainer Agreement, and (c) a checklist of documents required to support your application. Do not leave any blank spaces on the questionnaire. Enter "N/A" when the information being asked does not apply to you.
3. Print the attachments that we have e-mailed you.
4. Proceed by filling out the Visa Application Questionnaire. Do not leave any blank spaces on the questionnaire. Enter 'N/A" when the information being asked does not apply to you.
5. Review the list of required supporting documents to be attached to the Visa Application Questionnaire.
6. Sign and date the Retainer Agreement.
7. Mail all the documents back.
8. The Attorney prepares your application upon receipt of the documents from you. A copy will be e-mailed to you for review and corrections.
9. The original application will be e-mailed to you as a PDF document for printing, signing and sending back.
10. The Attorney then files your application with the BCIS.