Short answer

A T visa is an immigration status for victims of human trafficking. Congress created it in October 2000 in the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act.

What a T visa offers

• Work authorization.
• Federal and state benefits and services, such as Section 8 subsidized housing, Medicaid, food stamps and cash assistance.
• A possible path to a green card for holders who qualify.

Two main types of trafficking

• Sex trafficking: a commercial sex act induced by force, fraud or coercion.
• Labor trafficking: labor or services obtained through force, fraud or coercion.

Who may qualify

You may qualify if you:

• Are in the United States, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands or at a port of entry because of trafficking.
• Help law enforcement investigate or prosecute trafficking, unless you are under 18 or unable to cooperate due to trauma.
• Would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed from the U.S.
• Are admissible to the U.S. If not, you may be able to apply for a waiver.

Read our T visa guides

• Exploited at Work? Discover Your Powerful T Visa Options
• Stuck Behind the Wheel? T-Visa Help for Truck Drivers
• T Visa for Gas Station Workers: Security After Human Trafficking

Full service page

See our complete page on T visas for victims of human trafficking.

Talk to an immigration attorney

Shepelsky Law Group can review your situation and explain your options. Contact us to get started.