Many people with asylum cases stuck for years ask if they can also apply for a U Visa, T Visa, or VAWA self-petition. The short answer is yes. You can apply for any of these while your asylum case is pending or “on hold.” Your asylum case does not have to finish first, and filing these other applications does not stop or freeze your asylum case.
This guide will help you see, in simple steps, what you may be able to do and how these options can work side by side with asylum.
1. Who Can Use Each Option While Asylum Is Pending
Before you decide what to file, it helps to know the basic purpose of each:
- U Visa: For victims of certain crimes in the United States who were helpful to law enforcement, such as police, prosecutors, or judges.
- T Visa: For victims of human trafficking, meaning someone used force, fraud, or pressure to make you work or perform services.
- VAWA self-petition: For certain family members of abusive U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs). This includes abused spouses, some children, and some parents.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, many people in long asylum backlogs look at one or more of these options at the same time because they may open other paths to status and work permission.
USCIS and the immigration courts have large backlogs, so asylum cases often sit for years. The fact that your asylum case is delayed does not block you from trying a U Visa, T Visa, or VAWA self-petition.
2. Eligibility Rules You Must Meet
Each option has its own rules. Simply having an asylum case is not enough.
U Visa basics
To seek a U Visa, you generally must:
- Be a victim of a qualifying crime
- Have information about the crime
- Have been helpful to law enforcement, or be willing to be helpful
A U Visa requires a law enforcement agency to sign a special certification form confirming your help. Approval gives temporary status and work permission, but U Visas are capped each year, and the category is often backlogged, so wait times can be long.
T Visa basics
To seek a T Visa, you must show that:
- You are a victim of human trafficking
- Your trafficking situation fits the T rules
A T Visa is separate from asylum. There is no rule that says you must finish your asylum case before applying for a T Visa.
VAWA self-petition basics
A VAWA self-petition is for people who:
- Were abused by a qualifying U.S. citizen or LPR family member, such as a spouse, certain children, or certain parents
- Can show the family relationship and the abuse
VAWA cases are not subject to yearly caps. There is no limit per year like with U Visas, and that can make VAWA faster than a U Visa for some people who qualify for both.
3. How Asylum and These Forms of Relief Work Together
There is no legal rule that stops you from filing a U Visa, T Visa, or VAWA self-petition while asylum is pending. The systems are separate:
- Your asylum case stays pending until it is decided or you withdraw it.
- Filing another application does not formally put asylum “on hold.”
- You can have several cases going at the same time.
There is also no rule that stops you from filing a VAWA self-petition while a U Visa application is pending, or the other way around. Both are handled by USCIS, but under different laws and with different timelines.
Key takeaway: Filing one form does not cancel or freeze another; the processes run independently.
4. Step‑by‑Step: Applying While Asylum Is Pending
Here is a simple step plan many people follow:
- Review your history honestly
Think about your full story: crimes you reported, abuse in family relationships, and any trafficking situation. This helps you see whether U, T, or VAWA might fit you. -
Choose which options to file
Some people file only one. Others file more than one at the same time, for example, a U Visa and a VAWA self-petition, while their asylum case continues. -
Prepare the main forms
- U Visa:
Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status– see https://www.uscis.gov/i-918 - T Visa:
Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status– see https://www.uscis.gov/i-914 - VAWA self-petition:
Form I-360– see https://www.uscis.gov/i-360
- U Visa:
- Collect strong evidence
- For a U Visa: crime reports, court papers, and proof you helped law enforcement
- For a T Visa: proof of trafficking and your experience
- For VAWA: proof of the family relationship and the abuse
- File with USCIS while asylum remains pending
You send these applications to USCIS. Your asylum case continues on its own track in the asylum office or immigration court. -
Request work authorization where allowed
- With asylum, you may apply for work permission after 150 days of a pending asylum case. This is done on
Form I‑765– see https://www.uscis.gov/i-765. - Approval of U, T, or VAWA cases can also lead to work authorization, but the exact moment depends on the type of case and its stage.
- With asylum, you may apply for work permission after 150 days of a pending asylum case. This is done on
5. Required Documents and Where to Learn More
You should always check the official USCIS pages for the most current instructions and mailing addresses. A useful starting point is the USCIS Humanitarian Benefits page, which lists programs like U Visas, T Visas, and VAWA.
For each type of case, expect to include:
- Forms: The correct main form (I‑918, I‑914, or I‑360), signed and dated
- Personal statement: A detailed letter in your own words telling your story
- Proof of identity: Passport, national ID, or other documents you have
- Evidence of harm: Police reports, medical records, photos, messages, or other documents that support your experience
- Proof of family relationship for VAWA: Marriage certificate, birth certificates, or similar records
Keep copies of everything you send.
6. Timelines, Caps, and Practical Impact
From the source information:
- U Visa: Has an annual cap, and long waits are common.
- T Visa: Has separate rules and is not tied to the asylum process.
- VAWA self-petition: Has no yearly limit, and may move faster than a U Visa for some people.
While you wait:
- Your asylum case remains pending until decided or withdrawn.
- You may seek employment authorization after 150 days of a pending asylum case, which can help you support yourself while you wait on these other applications.
These extra options can give you more than one path toward legal status and work permission instead of depending on asylum alone.
7. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
People in your situation often run into the same problems:
- Thinking they must wait for asylum to finish before filing a U Visa, T Visa, or VAWA self-petition
- Assuming one case will cancel another – in fact, these are separate systems
- Sending weak or little evidence, especially for abuse or crime victim claims
- Not keeping addresses updated with USCIS and the court, which can lead to missed notices
Taking time to prepare clear evidence and staying organized can make your case stronger.
8. Smart Next Steps If You Think You Qualify
If any of these situations sound close to your life story:
- You were a crime victim and helped law enforcement → explore a U Visa
- You were trafficked for labor or services → explore a T Visa
- You suffered abuse from a U.S. citizen or LPR family member → explore a VAWA self-petition
It is wise to speak with an experienced immigration lawyer or a trusted legal clinic that knows both asylum and victim‑based relief. They can help you decide which options to file and how to explain your story clearly in each case.
People with pending asylum can concurrently apply for U Visas, T Visas, or VAWA self-petitions because the processes are separate. U Visas require certified cooperation with law enforcement and face annual caps. T Visas address human trafficking and operate independently of asylum. VAWA self-petitions help those abused by qualifying family members and have no yearly limit. Applicants should prepare forms I-918, I-914, or I-360, collect strong evidence, consider legal advice, and note work authorization options after 150 days of pending asylum.
