The U visa is a non-immigrant visa that is offered to victims of crime who assist law enforcement. It is meant to protect and reward non-citizens who have suffered significant mental or physical abuse from criminal activity. U visa holders have legal status in the United States, receive employment authorization (work permit), and a possible path to citizenship.
To be eligible for U Visa:
The individual must have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse due to having been a victim of a qualifying criminal activity.
The individual must have information concerning that criminal activity.
The individual must have been helpful, helpful, or likely to be useful in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.
The criminal activity violated U.S. laws.