Do I qualify for VAWA?

Answer twelve short questions. At the end you get an element-by-element read of the VAWA self-petition: what your answers appear to meet, what needs evidence, and what could be a problem, with the law behind each line. It is not a decision. Nothing you choose is saved, sent, or put in the web address.

Current as of October 2026. We re-check this page every quarter and after any change in the law.

Before you start

If someone may walk in, remember the red Quick Exit button at the top, or press Esc twice. The questions ask about abuse in general terms only. You never have to describe what happened.

Who is, or was, hurting you? My husband or wife My former husband or wife (divorced, annulled, or they died) Someone I married in good faith, but the marriage was invalid because they were already married My parent or stepparent My adult son or daughter A partner I never married, or someone else

What is their immigration status? U.S. citizen Green card holder (permanent resident) They had status but lost or gave it up Neither I am not sure

How did the marriage end, and when? Divorce or annulment less than two years ago Divorce or annulment two years ago or more They died less than two years ago They died two years ago or more

Was the end of the marriage connected to the abuse? Yes, the abuse was part of why it ended No I am not sure

How old are you, and are you married? Under 21 and not married 21 to 24 25 or older Under 21 but married

Is your son or daughter 21 or older? Yes No

When you married, was it a real relationship you intended to share? Yes No, it was mainly for papers I am not sure how to answer

Did you live with them? (For spouses: during the marriage.) Yes, even for a short time Only before we married No, never

Which of these happened? Choose all that apply. Physical harm, or threats of it Threats to report me to immigration, have me deported, or withdraw my papers Taking or hiding my passport, green card or other documents Cutting me off from family, friends or the outside Controlling all the money, or keeping me from working Sexual abuse or pressure Hurting or threatening my children, or threatening to take them Constant insults, humiliation, or being watched and tracked

Did this happen during the marriage? Yes Only before we married Only after the marriage ended

Where are you now? In the United States Outside the U.S., but the abuse happened in the U.S. Outside the U.S., and the abuser works for the U.S. government or military Outside the U.S., none of the above

Have you married someone else since? No Yes

Have any of these ever happened? An arrest or charge connected to the abuse (for example, both of us were arrested, or the abuser called the police on me) Another arrest, charge or conviction, anywhere I gave false information to get an immigration benefit I am in immigration court, or I have a deportation order I have a two-year (conditional) green card through the abuser None of these

Your answers, element by element

Element	Your answers	What it means

Gather these if you can, safely

Common questions

Does a good result mean I qualify?

No. The questionnaire reads your answers against the elements of the self-petition in INA 204(a)(1) and USCIS policy. Whether you qualify depends on the evidence, on facts the questions do not ask about, and on USCIS. Use the result to decide what to gather and what to ask us.

What if I answer I am not sure?

That is a useful answer. The result marks the element as needing a closer look rather than guessing. Many survivors do not know the abuser's status or the exact dates, and we can often establish them from records.

Is anything I answer stored?

No. Answers stay in this open page only. They are not sent to us or anyone, not saved in the browser, and not written into the web address. Closing the tab or pressing Start over erases them. Your browser history will still show the page; see staying-safe-online.html.

Talk to a lawyer privately. You decide how we reach you.

Tell us a safe number or email and a safe time, and whether we can leave a message. We never contact the person who hurt you, and we never call from a number or send anything that names this site. The first conversation is free and confidential, in English, Russian, Spanish or Uzbek, with a live interpreter for any other language.

Ask for a private call back Call (718) 484-7510