Domestic violence

This page is for Turkish citizens experiencing domestic violence in the United States and those who want to help them. It explains emergency hotlines, how to apply for a green card without depending on the abusive spouse (VAWA, Form I-360), the U visa for crime victims (Form I-918), and protection orders. Regardless of your immigration status, you can seek emergency help. Consult an immigration attorney or an authorized legal aid organization about your situation; see 12.6 Finding an attorney.

• If you are in immediate danger: Call 911.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, confidential
  • Phone: +1 800 799 7233 (800-799-SAFE)
  • TTY: +1 800 787 3224
  • The hotline provides immediate help and support.
• National Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 888 373 7888 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
• If you are a Turkish citizen: The Consular Call Center of the Republic of Türkiye is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From the United States and Canada: +1 888 566 7656.
• For other emergency numbers, see 13.1 Emergency numbers.

• The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows a person abused by a U.S. citizen or green card holder relative to file an immigration petition in their own name without the abuser's knowledge or consent. This person is called a "VAWA self-petitioner."
• Who can apply:
  • A spouse abused by a U.S. citizen or green card holder. If your child was abused, you may also apply as a spouse.
  • A former spouse if the marriage ended by divorce within the last 2 years for a reason related to the abuse or because the U.S. citizen spouse died.
  • An unmarried child under 21 abused by a U.S. citizen or green card holder parent. If the abuse was the primary reason for the delay, the child may apply until age 25.
  • A mother or father abused by a U.S. citizen son or daughter who is 21 or older.
• Requirements:
  • to have suffered battery or extreme cruelty while the relationship existed
  • to live or have lived with the abuser
  • to have good moral character
  • if applying as a spouse, to have entered the marriage in good faith and not to evade immigration laws
• If you are outside the United States, one of the following must also apply: the abuser must be a U.S. government employee or member of the U.S. military, or the abuse must have occurred in the United States.
• If you apply as a spouse or child, you may include your unmarried children under 21 in your petition. Applicants applying as parents cannot add children.

1. Complete Form I-360. Because you are applying in your own name, skip Part 1 and complete Part 3. If it is not safe to receive correspondence at your home, you may enter a safe address in the relevant field on the form.
2. Include evidence: Documents showing your relationship, the abuse, that you lived together, your good moral character, and that you entered the marriage in good faith. Show that any children you include are under 21 and unmarried.
3. Fee: The fee for an I-360 filed as a VAWA self-petitioner is $0.
4. Work authorization: If you check the initial work authorization box on Form I-360, USCIS will consider work authorization when the petition is approved without separately requesting Form I-765.
5. Green card: If you are in the United States and a visa is immediately available, you may file Form I-485 together with Form I-360, while Form I-360 is pending, or after approval. The I-485 fee is also $0 for VAWA self-petitioners. If you are abroad, the approved petition is sent to the NVC.
6. Interview: USCIS may call you for an interview. The notice will be sent to your safe address and, if applicable, your attorney. Interviews are conducted by officers trained in trauma.
7. What approval provides: An approved I-360 does not by itself grant status; it gives you the right to apply for a green card. If you are in the United States, USCIS may grant deferred action on a case-by-case basis.
8. Public benefits: A person applying as a spouse or child who receives a prima facie determination is considered a "qualified alien" for certain federal and state benefits. See 16.1 Which benefits can immigrants receive?.
9. Confidentiality: VAWA, T, and U applications are protected by confidentiality under law (8 U.S.C. 1367).

• If your spouse was admitted to the United States in A, E-3, G, or H status (for example, H-1B), and you came with them or joined them later and were abused, you may request work authorization using Form I-765V.
• Fee: $0.
• Required documents: proof of your and your spouse's status, identity and nationality documents, proof of marriage, evidence of the abuse, and 2 color passport-style photographs.
• Address (USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL): USCIS, Attn: I-765V, 3 Intake Way, Minneapolis, MN 55438-1455.

• The U visa is available to people who are victims of certain crimes in the United States and who help law enforcement investigate or prosecute the crime. Domestic violence is one of these crimes.
• Requirements:
  • to be a victim of a qualifying crime and suffer substantial physical or mental harm as a result
  • to have information about the crime
  • to have helped, be helping, or be likely to help law enforcement
  • the crime must have occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws
  • to be admissible to the United States; if you are not, request a waiver using Form I-192
• Application: Form I-918 must be accompanied by a signed certification, Supplement B, from an authorized law enforcement or government agency.
• Fee: U visa applications and related forms through the green card are free. Form I-192 is also $0 for U applicants.
• Family members: If you are under 21, Form I-918 Supplement A may be filed for your spouse, children, parents, and unmarried siblings under 18; if you are 21 or older, it may be filed for your spouse and children.
• Cap: U-1 status is issued to no more than 10,000 principal applicants each year. USCIS has reached this cap every year since fiscal year 2010; the fiscal year 2026 cap was reached on September 5, 2026.
• While waiting: Applicants in the United States may receive deferred action and work authorization if the petition is found to be bona fide. No I-765 fee is charged for this work authorization.
• Duration and green card: U status is valid for 4 years. You may apply for a green card if you have been continuously physically present in the United States in U status for at least 3 years and have not unreasonably refused to assist law enforcement.

• In cases of domestic violence or forced marriage, you may request a protection order (order of protection or restraining order) from a court.
• Example (California): A judge's protection order may protect you, your children, your belongings, and your pets; the police enforce the order. There is no court fee for a domestic violence protection order, and an attorney is not required. The judge decides whether to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) the same day or the next business day.
• Even if you have a protection order issued in a criminal case, you may also request a domestic violence protection order.
• Forced marriage: If you were forced to marry, you are not a criminal and you have not violated a U.S. law. You may pursue a protection order, annulment, separation, divorce, and custody.
• A U.S. citizen or green card holder who was forced to file a petition for a spouse or fiancé(e) may withdraw the petition before a decision is made or before the person is admitted to the United States. Consult an attorney before withdrawing it; USCIS may also send notice to the other party.
• A consular officer summarizes at the interview the "Rights and Protections" brochure that applicants for spouse and fiancé(e) visas are asked to read before the interview. The Turkish version is in the list below.

• Mailing addresses for VAWA (I-360) and U visa (I-918) — according to the state where you live since October 7, 2026:
  • Dallas Lockbox — Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas
    • USPS: USCIS, Attn: 1367, P.O. Box 650745, Dallas, TX 75265-0745
    • Courier: USCIS, Attn: 1367 (Box 650745), 2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business, Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067-8003
  • Phoenix Lockbox — for example, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Washington; also applicants living outside the United States for U visas
    • USPS: USCIS, Attn: 1367, P.O. Box 20020, Phoenix, AZ 85036-0020
    • Courier: USCIS, Attn: 1367 (Box 20020), 2108 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284-1806
  • Chicago Lockbox — for example, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina
    • USPS: USCIS, Attn: 1367, P.O. Box 8075, Chicago, IL 60680-8075
    • Courier: USCIS, Attn: 1367 (Box 8075), 131 S. Dearborn St., 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-5517
  • Forms mailed by November 9, 2026, to the old address are also being accepted. See USCIS's address page for the complete list of states.
• USCIS Contact Center — including address changes
  • Phone: +1 800 375 5283 (TTY +1 800 767 1833); Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time)
  • If you have a VAWA, T, or U case, you may request an address change by phone. USCIS will first verify your identity; have your receipt number ready.

• Failing to call 911 or a hotline because of fear of losing one's status.
• Assuming that one must depend on the abusive spouse's petition; not knowing about the VAWA option.
• Writing an address that the abuser can see instead of a safe address on the form.
• Failing to preserve police, court, medical, and shelter records showing the abuse.
• Applying for a U visa without law enforcement certification (Supplement B).
• Failing to report an address change separately for each pending form.
• Sending a paper application to the old address used before October 7, 2026.

• My spouse is threatening to withdraw my green card petition. What can I do? If your U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse is abusing you, you may file Form I-360 in your own name through VAWA, without their knowledge or consent.
• I got divorced; can I still apply for VAWA? Yes, if the marriage ended in divorce within the last 2 years for a reason related to the abuse.
• Does a VAWA application cost money? No. Form I-360 and Form I-485 are free for VAWA self-petitioners.
• Can men also apply for VAWA? Yes. USCIS recognizes eligibility for an abused spouse, child, or parent without regard to gender.
• My spouse has H-1B status; I have H-4 status. What can I do? You may request free work authorization using Form I-765V. If you are a crime victim, a U visa may also be an option; consult an attorney.
• How will contacting the police affect my immigration case? The U visa was created to protect crime victims who assist law enforcement. VAWA, T, and U applications are protected by confidentiality under law. For your rights, see 12.1 Constitutional rights as an immigrant and consult an attorney.
• Where can I get mental health support? See 9.7 Mental health and Turkish-language resources.

• Form I-360 (PDF)
• Form I-360 Instructions (PDF)
• Form I-918 (PDF)
• Form I-918 and Supplement A Instructions (PDF)
• Form I-918 Supplement A – Family Member Petition (PDF)
• Form I-918 Supplement B – Law Enforcement Certification (PDF)
• Form I-918 Supplement B Instructions (PDF)
• Form I-765V (PDF)
• Form I-765V Instructions (PDF)
• USCIS – Immigration Options for Victims of Crimes brochure (PDF)
• USCIS – Public Benefits and Public Charge fact sheet (PDF)
• Rights and Protections brochure – Turkish (PDF)