U&T Visa Certifications

On February 9, 2016, the New York City Commission on Human Rights began accepting requests for U and T visa certifications, making it the first and only anti-discrimination agency in a major U.S. city to provide the certification.

U nonimmigrant status (U visa) offers immigration protection to victims of certain crimes who are, have been, or are likely to be helpful in the law enforcement investigation and prosecution of those crimes. Victims must also meet additional criteria, including suffering substantial mental or physical abuse as a result of the crime. The U visa allows victims to remain in the United States and assist law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the unlawful activity.

T nonimmigrant status (T visa) provides immigration protection to victims of severe forms of trafficking. The T visa allows victims to remain in the United States and assist law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking cases. After three years in T nonimmigrant status, the victim may also be eligible to apply for a green card.

The Commission will consider certification requests for U and T visas from individuals who have filed a complaint of discrimination with the Commission and/or helped with the investigation and/or prosecution of a case.  If you wish to file a complaint with the Commission, contact 311 or (212) 416-0197 and ask for “Human Rights.” If you have already filed a case with the Commission or your case is closed, contact the Commission's General Counsel for more information at (212) 416-0291 or dastodola@cchr.nyc.gov.

Read the press release: in English, en Español