If you’re divorced from your U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse, you may still qualify for immigration relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). USCIS allows you to file a VAWA self-petition within two years of your divorce.

To be eligible, you must show that the marriage was entered into in good faith, that you lived with your spouse, that you have good moral character, and that you experienced abuse during the relationship. Abuse doesn’t have to be physical—emotional, psychological, and verbal abuse can also qualify. Most of our approved VAWA and VAWA-Green Card cases do not have physical abuse.  Importantly, your ex-spouse will not be notified if you file a VAWA petition and is not involved in the process.

This protection applies to all genders and is available even after the marriage has legally ended. The two-year deadline from the date of divorce is firm, so it’s important not to delay if you believe you may qualify. Our firm requires approximately 8 weeks to prepare a strong VAWA application.

If you're divorced and have questions about your eligibility for VAWA, contact our office at 703-348-1663 to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you understand your options and guide you through the process.

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