On August 21, 2012, USCIS announced that it had approved the statutory maximum 10,000 U visa petitions for the third consecutive year. The U visa is available for victims of crime who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement authorities investigate or prosecute the crimes. The U visa was initially issued beginning in 2008. USCIS will continue to accept new petitions for U visas until the end of the fiscal year and begin issuing new U visas on October 1, 2012, the first day of fiscal year 2013 when new U visas will become available. Related Links USCIS Reaches Milestone for Third Straight Year: 10,000 U Visas Approved in Fiscal Year 2012
