Se você é um beneficiário de visto de não imigrante U-1, você sabia que ainda pode fazer uma petição e ajudar certos membros da família a obterem status legal por meio da aprovação do seu visto U?
Denice Flores • February 8, 2024
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A USCIS tem uma aplicação específica que permite aos titulares principais de visto U (U-1) fazerem petições para membros da família, mesmo depois da aprovação do visto U deles. Se essa petição for aprovada, o membro da família pode obter o status de residente permanente legal (LPR) nos Estados Unidos.
O Formulário I-929, Petição para Membro Qualificado da Família de um Não Imigrante U-1, pode ser apresentado por um beneficiário principal do visto U em nome de certos membros da família. Se você é o beneficiário principal do visto U e tem mais de 21 anos, pode apresentar uma petição para seu cônjuge e filhos solteiros menores de 21 anos. Se você tem menos de 21 anos, pode apresentar uma petição para seu cônjuge, filhos solteiros menores de 21 anos e pais.
Aqui estão alguns requisitos que o beneficiário principal do visto U-1 não imigrante deve fornecer na petição para seu(s) membro(s) da família:
- O beneficiário principal do visto U deve apresentar a petição, Formulário I-929, enquanto ele detém o status U-1 e sua aplicação de ajuste de status está pendente perante a USCIS, ou depois que seu ajuste de status for aprovado. Se a aplicação de ajuste de status estiver pendente, é necessário fornecer um Aviso de Recebimento de sua aplicação pendente perante a USCIS. Se ele tiver o status de residente permanente legal como vítima de um crime, deve fornecer uma cópia de seu cartão verde (frente e verso).
- O beneficiário principal do visto U deve estabelecer o relacionamento entre ele e seu(s) membro(s) da família. Por exemplo, se estiver fazendo petição para um cônjuge, fornecer a certidão de casamento, e se estiver fazendo petição para um filho ou pai, fornecer as certidões de nascimento.
- O beneficiário principal do visto U deve provar que ele ou o membro da família sofrerá dificuldades extremas se não for permitido permanecer ou entrar nos EUA. Por favor, observe que a dificuldade extrema é avaliada e determinada caso a caso pela USCIS. A USCIS observa: "Você deve demonstrar que a recusa em permitir que o membro da família permaneça ou entre nos EUA resultaria em um grau de dificuldade além do normalmente associado a tal remoção ou recusa."
A USCIS fornece alguns fatores a serem considerados e mencionados na petição:
- A natureza e extensão do abuso físico ou mental sofrido como resultado de ter sido vítima de um crime;
- O impacto da perda de acesso aos tribunais dos EUA e ao sistema de justiça criminal;
- A probabilidade de que a família, amigos ou outras pessoas agindo em nome do agressor no país de origem prejudiquem o requerente ou os filhos do requerente;
- As necessidades do requerente por serviços sociais, médicos, de saúde mental ou outros serviços de apoio para vítimas de crimes que não estão disponíveis ou não são acessíveis no país de origem;
- Se o crime estava relacionado à violência doméstica, a existência de leis e práticas sociais no país de origem que punem o requerente ou os filhos do requerente porque foram vítimas de violência doméstica ou tomaram medidas para sair de um ambiente abusivo;
- A capacidade do agressor de viajar para o país de origem e a capacidade e disposição das autoridades no país de origem de proteger o requerente; e
- A idade do requerente, tanto no momento da entrada quanto no momento da solicitação de ajuste de status.
- O beneficiário principal do visto U deve estabelecer que a USCIS deve exercer a discrição a favor do(s) membro(s) da família. A USCIS sugere que a petição inclua documentação de apoio que estabeleça equidades mitigadoras para o(s) membro(s) da família.
Observe que a taxa de apresentação do Formulário I-929 é de $230 e deve ser paga ao enviar a petição ao USCIS.
Se você acredita que você e seu(s) membro(s) da família podem se qualificar para este benefício de imigração ou se tiver alguma dúvida sobre o processo, por favor, agende uma consulta com um de nossos advogados experientes imediatamente, e teremos o maior prazer em ajudá-lo.
Este blog não se destina a fornecer aconselhamento jurídico e nada aqui deve ser interpretado como estabelecimento de um relacionamento advogado-cliente. Por favor, agende uma consulta com um advogado de imigração antes de agir com base em qualquer informação lida aqui.
Starting July 10, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing a strict new rule regarding signatures on immigration benefit requests. Taking this change seriously is crucial, as the consequences for submitting an invalid signature are severe and costly. Under the new rule, USCIS officers have the authority to deny your filing if they discover an invalid signature during the adjudication process, even if your application was already accepted and you were issued a receipt notice. If your case is denied for a signature defect, USCIS will not allow you to fix or "cure" the mistake. You will be forced to submit an entirely new petition and pay a new filing fee, which could result in missed deadlines, delayed work authorization, or even the loss of your legal status. USCIS officers may use imaging tools during adjudication to closely compare signatures across your previous filings to detect inconsistencies or copy-and-pasted images of signatures. Under the new rules, USCIS strictly considers several types of signatures to be invalid, including software-generated or digital signatures, such as those created by DocuSign, as well as copy-and-pasted or inserted images of signatures reused across multiple forms. Furthermore, stamped or typewritten names are prohibited, along with any signatures executed by anyone other than the authorized requestor, such as an attorney, interpreter, or preparer. Because USCIS now has expanded authority to outright deny cases and keep filing fees over signature defects, it is highly recommended that you adopt a practice of using wet-ink signatures for not just USCIS forms, but all documents submitted in your petition such as recommendation letters or personal statements. Thus, any upcoming petition you are filing with USCIS must include original, handwritten, “wet-ink” signatures. While USCIS does allow you to submit a scanned, photocopied, or faxed version of your application, the copy you upload or mail must be of a document that was physically signed in wet ink. Audit your signature practices before the July 10, 2026, implementation date to protect your filing fees and ensure your immigration case stays safely on track.
Navigating U.S. immigration law can often feel like learning a completely new language. Two terms that frequently confuse are lawful status and a period of authorized stay. While they sound similar and both relate to your ability to remain in the United States, they are distinct legal concepts. Understanding the difference is critical. Mixing them up can accidentally lead to visa violations, unlawful presence, and severe long-term immigration consequences. 1. What is Lawful Status? Lawful status means you have been officially granted the right to be in the United States by the U.S. government, and that right is currently active. You hold a lawful status if you are: A U.S. citizen or national. A Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or Conditional Permanent Resident. A nonimmigrant who was lawfully admitted to the country for a temporary period (such as on a tourist, student, or work visa). For temporary visa holders, your lawful status is directly tied to your Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). As long as the date on your I-94 has not passed, and you are actively following the rules of your visa - such as maintaining a full course load on an F-1 student visa or working only for your approved sponsor on an H-1B visa - you are in lawful status. 2. What is a Period of Authorized Stay? A period of authorized stay is essentially a temporary legal buffer. It means the government allows you to physically remain in the country for the time being, but you do not hold an active, lawful status. The most common way to enter this buffer zone is by filing to extend, change, or adjust your visa status before your current permission expires. While you wait for USCIS to make a decision, your Form I-94 expiration date will often pass. At that exact moment, your active lawful status officially ends. However, because you submitted your application on time, you automatically enter a period of authorized stay for as long as your case remains pending. It is important to note that, while this authorized stay stops you from accruing unlawful presence (the dangerous clock that triggers multi-year reentry bars), it does not grant you a formal legal status, nor does it completely shield you from the initiation of removal (deportation) proceedings. It functions as a temporary stay, not a permanent safety net. If USCIS denies your application and your original visa has already expired, your temporary buffer zone vanishes instantly. The consequences are immediate and serious: since you no longer hold a valid status or a pending case, you no longer have legal permission to be in the country, giving the government the right to start removal proceedings. To avoid these highly stressful risks, the safest strategy is to maintain a valid underlying status when possible. If you are currently waiting on a pending application or have questions about your options, our office is here to help you navigate the system safely. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation.
Navigating the immigration landscape as a professional athlete can feel as demanding as a championship final, but understanding the P-1A visa can help you to plan ahead and successfully petition USCIS when the time comes to apply. For individual athletes like surfers, Rodeo cowboys, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters, the P-1A serves as the primary gateway to competing in the United States. While it is often compared to the O-1 visa, the P-1A has a distinct threshold that is more easily accessible than the O-1; rather than proving "extraordinary ability," you must demonstrate "international recognition". This means your achievements must be renowned or leading in more than one country, showcasing a level of skill that is substantially above the ordinary. For those competing in individual sports, the spotlight is entirely on your personal accolades and standing rather than a team or league’s reputation as in the case of a team sport athlete. You must show that you are personally well-known within your sport across multiple countries, and that the U.S. events you intend to enter typically draw other internationally recognized participants. One of the most significant advantages for the solo competitor is the duration of stay, as individual athletes can often secure a P-1 visa for an initial period of up to five years, which can eventually be extended to a total of ten. This stands in stark contrast to team athletes, who are generally limited to the duration of a specific season or contract with a team. If you are looking to be proactive about your future eligibility, you should treat your career milestones as a collection of evidence for the "Two-Out-of-Seven" rule used by USCIS. To qualify, you must provide evidence satisfying at least two of the following seven criteria: Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season with a major U.S. sports league. Evidence of participation in an international competition with a national team. Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition. A written statement from an official of a major U.S. sports league or the governing body of the sport detailing your international recognition. A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert. Evidence that you or your team is ranked, if the sport has international rankings. Evidence that you or your team has received a significant honor or award in the sport. Building your resume with these specific benchmarks in mind is essential. Here are some suggestions to help an individual sport athlete to meet these criteria and successfully qualify for a P-1A visa: First, you should actively seek opportunities to represent your national team or strive for high international rankings , as these are concrete proof of your standing. If you are working with an immigration attorney, make sure they have a clear understanding of your sport, how its governing body determines rankings, and the significance of your accomplishments- successfully showing USCIS why your rankings or results indicate you are performing at an elite and internationally recognized level is key to a successful outcome. Beyond the trophies, your professional network plays a crucial role ; cultivating relationships with recognized experts or sports media members who can provide written statements will significantly strengthen your future petition. Major media articles that discuss your accomplishments or explain the significance of competitions or rankings you feature in, can also have a strong positive impact on your case. As you prepare, remember that every petition also requires a formal consultation letter from an appropriate labor organization , if one exists that covers your sport. A good immigration attorney will help you to identify the appropriate labor organization and engage with them on your behalf to secure the consultation letter you need. Generally, they will want to see the same evidence that USCIS will be evaluating, and they may need some time to review your petition prior to issuing you a consultation letter. Finally, you will also need a written contract with an employer or agent within the United States, and a detailed itinerary of the events where you will perform . Your immigration attorney can also help you to structure your contract with your agent or employer, and guide you in creating an itinerary based on the events or competitions you will participate in. While every individual sport is different, USCIS will want to see that you have set up a structure that will pay you a living wage to perform your sport, and that you have planned out an itinerary of competitions or events in sufficient detail that covers the entire period of time for which you are requesting the P-1A visa. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., we are experienced in helping talented individuals who are accomplished in many different sports to continue their careers here in the United States. If you are such an athlete interested in competing here, please contact us, and we will be happy to discuss your case.
