'V' Nonimmigrant Visa Provision

The V nonimmigrant status to allows certain spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents to reside and work in the United States while waiting to obtain immigrant status. This provision is one of several immigration benefits provided by the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE Act), enacted on December 21, 2000.

Persons granted V nonimmigrant status must still wait until an immigrant visa number (priority date) becomes available -- in accordance with the Department of State's monthly Visa Bulletin -- to apply for their Green Card.

The spouse or unmarried child (under 21 years of age) of a lawful permanent resident is eligible for the V nonimmigrant classification, if he/she:

• Had a Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) filed with the USCIS on his or her behalf by the lawful permanent resident spouse or parent on or before December 21, 2000; and
• Has been waiting for at least three years after the Form I-130 was filed for their immigrant status -- either because a visa number (priority date) has not yet become available, or because USCIS has not yet adjudicated the Form I-130 or the Form I-485 (Application for Adjustment to Permanent Residence).

The unmarried child (under 21 years of age) of a person who meets the above requirements is also eligible for V status. Eligible persons living in the United States must apply for V nonimmigrant status with the BCIS.

Eligible persons living abroad must apply for a V visa with the Department of State at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the immigrant visa would have been processed.

Employment Authorization

Applicants may apply to the USCIS for employment authorization.

Travel Abroad

V nonimmigrants may travel to and from the United States while they wait for their immigrant status. However, persons who have been unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days and depart the country must carefully consider the consequences of departure. Their departure will trigger the grounds of inadmissibility regarding unlawful presence that bar admission to the United States for three years or 10 years. The bars for unlawful presence do not prevent eligible persons from obtaining V status, or from being readmitted to the United States with a V visa following travel abroad. However, unless such persons seek and are granted a waiver by BCIS, these grounds of inadmissibility will prevent them from adjusting status to lawful permanent resident (for the applicable 3-year or 10-year period.

V nonimmigrants who wish to travel abroad while they are waiting for immigrant status do not need to obtain permission or advance parole from USCIS prior to their departure. However, in order to return to the United States, V spouses and children must have a valid V visa in their passport issued from the Department of State.

Those who obtained V status while in the United States and then travel abroad must obtain a V visa from the Department of State at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad before they can be readmitted to the country