Immigrants who have had the misfortune of being victims of qualifying violent crimes and have now decided to cooperate with law enforcement. These immigrants are given a U Visa, temporary legal status, allowing them to live, work, and drive in the United States for 4 years. They can even apply for their green card after 3 years provided they meet all the requirements. The length of time a work authorization takes to obtain is entirely reliant upon the agencies doing the processing but sometimes takes up to a year. The authorization, however, is valid for the entire remainder of the U Visa status. If you have any questions or think you might know someone who qualifies for a U Visa, give one of our experienced Immigration Attorneys a call!