Can U Visa Petitions Be Filed During a Government Shutdown?

(UNITED STATES) Crime victims can continue to file U visa petitions during the current federal government shutdown, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is still accepting and processing new applications. That’s the central point from USCIS operations guidance for fee-funded services as of October 1, 2025.

Because USCIS relies on application fees rather than annual congressional appropriations, the agency’s core functions—including intake and adjudication of U visa petitions filed on Form I-918—remain open. There is no suspension of U visa filings in effect, and applicants should proceed with submissions as usual. While some delays are possible, the ability to file is not restricted, officials have indicated, and no shutdown alert has been posted to halt U filings.

What the U visa does and why continuity matters

The U visa allows certain victims of qualifying crimes who have suffered mental or physical harm, and who are helpful to law enforcement or prosecutors, to seek protection and temporary status.

During a shutdown, uncertainty can spread across immigration communities, but in this instance, fee funding shields most USCIS operations from closure. USCIS has maintained this posture in past shutdowns, and nothing in October 2025 guidance reverses that approach. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, previous closures of appropriations-funded programs did not stop USCIS from receiving petitions paid for by filing fees, and U visa petitions fall into that fee-funded workflow.

Agency continuity is important for people living with trauma who depend on steady government access. When a survivor decides to file, any gap can feel risky: evidence can be hard to collect later, witnesses can move, and safety plans may change. The steadiness of USCIS operations helps reduce those risks.

Filing remains available — what to submit

Applicants can still collect documents, complete required forms, and send in comprehensive packages. Key elements include:

• Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status (complete and signed)
• Form I-918, Supplement B (law enforcement certification — required)
• Supporting evidence: police reports, medical records, court records, counseling letters, victim statements, and proof of helpfulness to law enforcement

USCIS continues to accept filings by mail, and processing continues even if some related agencies slow down.

Important: The shutdown does not waive any legal requirements for U status. The law enforcement certification — Form I-918, Supplement B — remains a statutory requirement.

Possible ripple effects and expected delays

Although USCIS intake and adjudication for fee-funded petitions remain open, the shutdown can cause ripple effects:

• Interagency dependencies (background checks, shared systems) may slow pending cases.
• Staff availability at partner agencies can fluctuate, which may delay certain steps.
• USCIS has signaled applicants should expect possible processing delays, but eligibility and filing rules do not change — only timelines may be longer.

Plainly: you can file today and USCIS will accept your application, but it may take longer than usual for the government to work through each step.

Practical filing recommendations

Focus on three pillars: completeness, clarity, and updates.

• Completeness
  • Include all required forms, signatures, and supporting documents.
  • Use the latest editions of forms from USCIS.
• Clarity
  • Provide clear evidence linking the criminal activity, the harm suffered, and your helpfulness to investigators or prosecutors.
• Updates
  • Check the official USCIS site for any alerts or changes.

Essential form links (use the editions posted on the government site):
– Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
– Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification

Use the latest form editions, follow instructions closely, and ensure every required field is complete. Using outdated versions or leaving items blank can result in rejections or requests for evidence, which will slow your case.

Document handling and best practices

Many survivors worry that sending an application during a shutdown could result in lost paperwork or returned filings. As of October 1, 2025, there is no indication of such disruptions for U visa petitions. Intake functions remain active and receipt notices should issue as usual.

Standard precautions:
– Keep copies of every page of your filing.
– Use reliable mail with delivery tracking.
– Store your receipt notice safely once it arrives.
– Use cover sheets and a table of contents; label exhibits and use tabs if possible.

These steps reduce stress and preserve the record of your case. If USCIS issues a receipt, that number becomes a reference for future inquiries or address updates.

Local law enforcement certification (Supplement B)

The Supplement B is a cornerstone of the U petition and remains unchanged by the shutdown:

• Local police, sheriffs, prosecutors, and other certifying authorities are separate from USCIS.
• Their capacity to process certifications may vary by jurisdiction.
• Applicants who can gather a timely certification are better positioned to lock in a filing date and move into the queue.

For survivors in rural areas, certification processes differ: some agencies require appointments, others review in batches. Document attempts to contact certifying officials—dates, times, proof of delivery—so you have a record if follow-up is needed.

What the shutdown does and does not change

It does not change:
– U eligibility requirements
– The statutory need for Form I-918, Supplement B
– Signature, edition, and truthfulness requirements on forms
– Where to file or how USCIS calculates receipt dates

It may affect:
– Processing timelines (taking longer due to other agencies’ slowdowns)
– Mail delivery timing in certain regions
– Scheduling downstream steps (e.g., biometrics or background checks)

Consistency is your ally: filing a clean, organized packet helps USCIS review the case more easily when an adjudicator reaches it.

Advice from legal providers and community groups

• Legal providers advise filing now if you are ready, rather than waiting for the shutdown to end.
• Clinics and workshops continue to operate and help survivors prepare filings, with the caveat of possibly slower responses from partner agencies.
• Hotlines and shelters continue to guide callers through U visa basics and stress that USCIS is still open for filings.

If your case is time-sensitive (safety risks, housing), filing now may help you show pending status to service providers or courts. While a receipt does not grant legal status, it confirms the government has your case and placed it in line.

Practical steps checklist

1. File Form I-918 and all required parts as usual. Include a signed Supplement B and supporting evidence.
2. Use the latest form editions from the USCIS website and ensure every page is signed where required.
3. Expect possible delays in processing but no interruption in intake or review due to the shutdown.
4. Track your mail and store your receipt notice safely once it arrives.
5. Check USCIS.gov for any new alerts about services during the shutdown period.
6. Seek legal help if your case is complex or you are unsure how to present evidence.

Operational and policy summary

• USCIS operations continue because the agency is primarily funded by user fees. This includes the acceptance and processing of U visa petitions filed on Form I-918.
• No suspension of U visa filings has been announced for October 2025. Intake remains open.
• Possible delays may affect processing times due to reduced staffing or reliance on other agencies’ systems, but that does not stop filings.
• Appropriations-funded programs—such as E-Verify—may be paused, but U visa processing is not among those suspended services.

This policy continuity reflects long-standing practice: during previous shutdowns, USCIS stayed open for fee-funded work and U applicants were able to file. Nothing in current guidance departs from that approach.

Additional operational notes

• If you receive a biometrics or appointment notice, attend as scheduled. If you must reschedule for a valid reason, follow notice instructions precisely.
• Keep USCIS informed of any address changes and respond to requests for evidence within the stated deadlines.
• Honesty on Form I-918 is non-negotiable. Disclose prior records as required and seek legal advice if uncertain.

Final takeaway

The anchor takeaway is simple and steady: USCIS remains open for U visa petitions during the shutdown. That means survivors can keep moving forward. Filing now secures your place in line and preserves case progress, even if the pace of decisions slows. In a moment when much of Washington feels uncertain, the fee-funded structure of USCIS offers a measure of continuity that can make a real difference for families seeking safety in the United States 🇺🇸.