United States•North America3–5 years
Bona 3–4 yr · EAD 4–5 yr
Free
4 years
Unmarried sibling under 18 of a U-1 visa holder who was under 21 at time of application.
The U-5 is a US derivative humanitarian visa for the unmarried sibling of a U-1 crime victim who was under 21 at time of filing. The sibling must have been under 18 at filing, though age-out protection applies — adjudication age does not disqualify.
Status lasts up to 4 years, renewable in 1-year increments via Form I-539. Work authorization is available, and a green card pathway opens after 3 years. All U nonimmigrant forms are fee-exempt by statute. Processing is severely backlogged at 40–53+ months.
This visa is ideal for unmarried siblings under 18 of U-1 crime victim visa holders who need to remain in the US as part of their sibling's support network during legal proceedings.
| Bona Fide Determination (BFD) | 3–4 years |
| EAD Issuance (from BFD/waiting list) | 4–5 years |
| Initial grant | 4 years |
No cap for U-5 derivatives; the 10,000 annual cap applies only to U-1 principals
U-1 principal must have been under 21 years old at time Form I-918 was filed
Sibling must have been unmarried and under 18 at time of filing (age-out protection applies at adjudication)
Qualifying family relationship: unmarried sibling of the U-1 principal
U-1 principal must be a victim of qualifying criminal activity who suffered substantial physical or mental abuse
U-1 must have law enforcement certification (Form I-918 Supplement B)
Sibling must be admissible to the US or obtain an inadmissibility waiver (Form I-192)
Sibling does not need to prove personal abuse or helpfulness to law enforcement
Form I-918, Supplement A (derivative petition filed by U-1 principal)
Birth certificates proving sibling relationship and same parentage
Evidence that U-1 principal was under 21 at time of I-918 filing
Evidence that sibling was under 18 at time of filing
Biometrics (fingerprints, photo, signature) from sibling
Form I-192 (Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant) if inadmissibility grounds apply
Passport or travel document for the sibling
| I-918 Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status | Fill online |
| I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant | Fill online |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization | Fill online |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | Fill online |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Fill online |
| I-929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant | Fill online |
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