U visa and T visa Applications

The federal government has created two visa programs for which victims of human trafficking (T visa) or certain other crimes (U visa) may qualify if they have been helpful in the investigation or prosecution of crime. Instructions for completing the application and Form I-918, Supplement B for U visas and Form I-914, Supplement B for T visas are available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration website www.uscis.gov. The application for certification may also be submitted by an immigration attorney on the victim’s behalf.

Qualifying Crimes for a U visa (Please note these are general categories and not names of specific crimes in Washington):  

Abduction

Abusive Sexual Contact

Blackmail

Domestic Violence

Extortion

False Imprisonment

Female Genital Mutilation

Felonious Assault

Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting

Hostage

Incest

Involuntary Servitude

Kidnapping

Manslaughter

Murder

Obstruction of Justice

Peonage

Perjury

Prostitution

Rape

Sexual Assault

Sexual Exploitation

Slave Trade

Stalking

Torture

Trafficking

Witness Tampering

Unlawful Criminal Restraint

Other Related Crimes*†

*Includes any similar activity where the elements of the crime are substantially similar.

†Also includes attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the above and other related crimes.

If you are in doubt as to whether you were a victim of a qualifying crime, you may submit an application to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office; the application will be denied if the Criminal Division determines that the crime involved is not a qualifying crime.

You must be the victim or an indirect victim of the qualifying crime as these terms are defined under federal law. Generally, indirect victims are family members of the victim, such as the parent of a minor victim. Witnesses who are not also victims or indirect victims are not eligible.

The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office does not sign certifications if this office did not file criminal charges arising out of the incident where you were a victim, but you may submit your application to the law enforcement agency that investigated your incident. 

The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office considers applications on a case-by-case basis. We're unable to consider applications if we have not received a referral from law enforcement for prosecution. We notify the defense counsel in any open case that you have sought certification. 

If you are facing imminent deportation, please inform us of this fact when you send in the application and provide enough detail that we can verify the need for immediate action.  

Applications should be sent to:

Kelly Kelstrup, Office Services Manager
Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
930 Tacoma Ave S, Room 946
Tacoma, WA  98402