T nonimmigrant status for trafficking victims
The T visa is for victims of a severe form of human trafficking who are in the United States because of that trafficking. It gives four years of status, work authorisation, and a route to permanent residence. Unlike the U visa there is no mandatory law enforcement certification and no meaningful annual cap, but processing has become very slow.
Who it is for. Victims of sex trafficking or labour trafficking present in the United States on account of that trafficking, and their qualifying family members.
The forms, in order
- 1
Gather evidence of the trafficking and of compliance with reasonable law enforcement requests
The I-914B declaration is helpful but not required; other evidence can establish compliance, and children and trauma victims are excepted.
- 2
File Form I-914 with a personal statement and any inadmissibility waiver
- 3
File derivative applications for qualifying family
Applicants under 21 can include parents and unmarried siblings under 18; those 21 and over are limited to a spouse and children.
- 4
Receive T-1 status and an employment authorisation document
Work authorisation comes with the grant rather than while waiting.
- 5
Apply for a green card after three years in T status, or when the investigation ends
Where it goes wrong
- Processing has worsened every year since FY 2023 and now exceeds two years, during which the applicant has no work permit.
- The 'on account of trafficking' presence requirement is a real legal test, not a formality.
- A T applicant who is placed in removal proceedings needs the case managed in both forums at once.
- Continued presence from law enforcement is a separate, faster interim protection that is often overlooked.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- T visa processing lengthened from 14.9 months in FY 2024 to 28.6 months in FY 2026.
- Increased worksite and street enforcement has raised the stakes for victims without interim protection.