You fill out USCIS Form I-914A by completing all eight parts of the Supplement A form, attaching evidence of your family relationship to the principal T-1 trafficking survivor, and filing it either with the principal’s Form I-914 or as a standalone after the principal gets T-1 status. The form lets eligible spouses, children, parents, and siblings get derivative T visa status so they can live, work, and adjust to permanent residence in the United States.
Human trafficking touches more lives than most people realize. The Polaris Project tracked over 10,000 trafficking situations in a single year through the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and many survivors have family members still in danger abroad. Form I-914A is the legal lifeline that brings those family members to safety.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every line of Form I-914A without triggering a Request for Evidence
- 👨👩👧 Who qualifies as a derivative family member under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
- ⚖️ The legal rules in 8 CFR 214.11 that control derivative T visa eligibility
- 💡 Real examples showing how spouses, children, parents, and siblings file successfully
- 🚫 The most common filing mistakes that delay or destroy I-914A petitions
What Form I-914A Actually Does
Form I-914A, officially called Application for Immediate Family Member of T-1 Recipient, lets a principal T visa holder petition for qualifying relatives to receive derivative T nonimmigrant status. The principal applicant is the trafficking survivor who already filed or holds a T-1 visa. The supplement extends protection to family members so the survivor does not have to choose between safety and family unity.
The form was created under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, then expanded by later reauthorizations. The latest expansion came through the TVPRA 2017 and the Final Rule at 85 FR 80373, which clarified eligibility, biometrics, and adjudication standards.
The current edition is dated 04/01/2024, and USCIS rejects older editions. You can confirm the edition date on the USCIS Form I-914 page before filing.
Why Congress Created the Derivative T Category
Congress recognized that traffickers often threaten survivors by targeting family members back home. The plain-English idea is simple: a survivor cannot help law enforcement freely if her children face retaliation overseas. The consequence of ignoring this reality is that survivors stay silent, and traffickers escape prosecution. For example, Maria, a labor trafficking survivor from Honduras, refused to testify until her two minor children received I-914A approvals and joined her safely in Texas. A common misconception is that derivatives must also be trafficking victims, but they qualify based solely on the qualifying relationship and, when abroad, the present-danger or retaliation showing.
Who Files the Form
The principal T-1 applicant files Form I-914A on behalf of each eligible family member. Each derivative needs a separate I-914A. The principal signs Part 7, and the derivative (if old enough) signs Part 6. Attorneys or accredited representatives recognized by the Department of Justice may also help prepare and submit the form using Form G-28.
Who Qualifies as a Derivative Family Member
Eligibility depends on the principal’s age at the time the principal filed Form I-914. The rules sit inside INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) and the implementing regulations.
If the Principal Is Under 21
A principal under 21 may petition for a spouse, children, unmarried siblings under 18, and parents. The plain-English rule is that minors get the broadest family circle because they need parental support. The consequence of missing this window is permanent: if the principal turns 21 after filing but USCIS later approves I-914, the derivative categories still lock to the original filing date under the age-out protections in the USCIS Policy Manual. For example, Luis filed his I-914 at age 20 and his I-914A for his mother at age 22; USCIS approved both because the relevant age was the filing age. A common misconception is that turning 21 destroys parent eligibility, but the original filing date controls.
If the Principal Is 21 or Older
A principal aged 21 or above may petition only for a spouse and children. The reasoning is that adult survivors are presumed independent of parents and siblings. The consequence of misreading this rule is automatic denial: filing for a parent when the principal is 25 wastes time and exposes the parent to immigration scrutiny. For example, Aisha, a 28-year-old sex trafficking survivor, could only file for her husband and son, not her younger brother. A common misconception is that all relatives qualify, when in fact the statute draws a hard line at age 21.
Adult or Minor Children Facing Present Danger
Under the TVPRA 2008 expansion, the principal can also petition for any adult or minor children of a derivative family member if those individuals face a present danger of retaliation due to the principal’s escape or cooperation with law enforcement. This is the “T-6” category in practice. The consequence of skipping this category is that grandchildren or step-children may stay exposed to traffickers. Carlos, whose adult daughter received a T-3 derivative, also filed I-914A for his minor grandson because traffickers threatened the child in Guatemala.
Step-by-Step: Filling Out Form I-914A
The form has eight parts plus signature blocks. Read the official I-914A instructions before starting, because USCIS rejects forms with blank required fields.
Part 1 — Information About You (the Family Member)
This part asks for the derivative’s personal information, not the principal’s. Enter the legal name, all aliases, date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, A-Number (if any), USCIS Online Account Number, and Social Security Number. The plain-English rule is that this section identifies the beneficiary. The consequence of entering the principal’s name here is an instant Request for Evidence. Sofia once swapped her name with her mother’s and waited eight extra months for correction.
If the derivative has no A-Number, write “None.” Never leave a field blank, because USCIS rejection criteria treat blanks as incomplete filings.
Part 2 — Additional Information About You
Part 2 captures address history, marital status, and prior immigration filings. List the current physical address and a safe mailing address if different. Survivors often use the address of an attorney or shelter for safety reasons. The consequence of disclosing an unsafe address is potential trafficker contact, so use the 38 USC confidentiality protections and confidentiality rules under 8 USC 1367 when applicable.
You also list every prior entry to the United States, every visa application, and every immigration proceeding. A common misconception is that prior unlawful entries hurt the case, but trafficking-related entries are excused under INA 212(d)(13) waivers filed on Form I-192.
Part 3 — Processing Information
This part asks where the derivative is located and where the visa interview should occur. If the derivative is abroad, list the U.S. embassy or consulate. If the derivative is in the United States, choose adjustment in place. The consequence of picking the wrong post is months of consular delay. Ahmed’s family lost six months when his attorney listed Cairo instead of Amman, where the family had relocated.
Part 4 — Information About the Principal T-1 Applicant
Enter the principal’s name, A-Number, date of birth, and receipt number from the Form I-797 approval or pending notice. This part links the derivative to the principal file. The consequence of mismatched information is that the USCIS Vermont Service Center, which adjudicates T cases, cannot match the petition.
Part 5 — Family Information
List every member of the derivative’s immediate family, including those not seeking benefits. This builds a complete family tree. The consequence of omitting a child or spouse is a fraud finding. Mei, a Chinese trafficking survivor, lost credibility when she failed to list a daughter from a prior marriage on three different forms.
Part 6 — Family Member’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature
The derivative signs here under penalty of perjury. Children under 14 do not sign personally; a parent or guardian signs on their behalf, as explained in the USCIS signature policy. The consequence of an unsigned form is rejection within days. A common misconception is that an electronic signature is acceptable, but USCIS requires a wet ink signature on paper filings.
Part 7 — Principal T-1 Applicant’s Statement and Signature
The principal signs to confirm the family relationship and request derivative status for the relative. If the principal is a minor, a guardian co-signs. The consequence of skipping this signature is automatic rejection.
Part 8 — Interpreter’s and Preparer’s Information
If anyone helped translate or prepare the form, that person signs Part 8. Attorneys also file Form G-28 to enter as counsel of record. The consequence of unauthorized practice of law, sometimes called notario fraud, is that the Federal Trade Commission can prosecute the preparer and the petition can be tainted.
Filing Strategy: Concurrent vs. Standalone
You can file Form I-914A two ways, and both have trade-offs.
| Filing Path | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Concurrent with I-914 | When the principal has not yet filed and family safety is urgent |
| Standalone after I-914 approval | When the principal already has T-1 status or the family relationship arose later |
Concurrent filing speeds family unity but ties the derivative’s fate to the principal’s case. Standalone filing lets the principal stabilize first, but extends total processing time, often pushing approvals past 36 months according to the USCIS processing time tool.
Concurrent Filing in Detail
The principal mails the entire packet—Form I-914, all I-914As, supporting evidence, and the law enforcement Form I-914 Supplement B declaration if available—to the Vermont Service Center. The plain-English advantage is one mailing, one fee waiver request, and one decision timeline. The consequence of a missing I-914A in this packet is that the family member must file standalone later.
Standalone Filing in Detail
After USCIS approves the principal I-914, the principal can file I-914A any time before the T-1 status expires. The derivative receives status valid only as long as the principal’s T-1, which lasts up to four years. The consequence of waiting too long is that the principal may already be applying for a Green Card via Form I-485, which complicates derivative timing.
Evidence to Include With Form I-914A
USCIS expects more than the form itself. The USCIS Policy Manual Volume 3, Part B lists specific evidence categories.
- Certified birth certificate showing the qualifying relationship
- Marriage certificate and proof of any prior divorce decrees
- Two passport-style photos of the derivative
- Copy of the principal’s I-914 receipt or approval notice
- Evidence of present danger of retaliation if the derivative is abroad
- Translations of all foreign-language documents under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)
The plain-English point is that USCIS officers cannot guess at relationships. The consequence of weak evidence is a Request for Evidence that delays adjudication by six months or more.
Proving Present Danger of Retaliation
Derivatives outside the United States must show present danger of retaliation. Acceptable evidence includes police reports, sworn declarations, news articles about trafficker networks, and country condition reports from the State Department Trafficking in Persons Report. The consequence of weak retaliation evidence is denial even when the family relationship is rock solid. Fatima’s case turned on a single police report from Lagos showing traffickers visited her parents’ home twice.
Three Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Spouse Inside the United States
| Filing Step | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Principal files I-914 and I-914A together for spouse already in U.S. | Spouse receives T-2 status and EAD within 18-24 months |
Scenario 2: Minor Children Abroad Facing Threats
| Filing Step | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Principal files standalone I-914A after I-914 approval, with police reports from home country | Children get consular processing and arrive on T-3 status |
Scenario 3: Parent of a 19-Year-Old Principal
| Filing Step | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Principal under 21 files I-914A for parent abroad with retaliation evidence | Parent receives T-4 status; sibling under 18 also eligible |
Fees, Biometrics, and Work Authorization
There is no filing fee for Form I-914A. USCIS made T cases fee-free under the final fee rule, and biometrics fees are also waived. The plain-English benefit is that survivors and families do not need money to apply. The consequence of paying a fee anyway is that USCIS rejects the check and may slow the case.
Each derivative aged 14 and older must complete biometrics at a local Application Support Center. Children under 14 are sometimes scheduled but rarely fingerprinted.
Employment Authorization for Derivatives
Derivatives inside the United States receive automatic EADs when USCIS approves I-914A, under the TVPRA 2017 automatic EAD provision. The consequence is that derivatives can work the day status is granted. Derivatives consular processing abroad apply for an EAD using Form I-765 with category code (a)(16) after entering the United States.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Filing the wrong edition of Form I-914A, which causes outright rejection
- Forgetting the principal’s A-Number or receipt number, breaking the case link
- Listing an unsafe address that traffickers can find through public records
- Skipping certified translations, which violates 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)
- Omitting children from a prior relationship, which signals fraud to officers
- Failing to prove present danger for relatives abroad, leading to denial
- Relying on a notario instead of a licensed attorney or DOJ-accredited representative
- Missing the wet-ink signature requirement on paper filings
- Filing for a parent when the principal is over 21, which is statutorily barred
- Forgetting Form I-192 for inadmissibility waivers when the derivative has prior immigration violations
- Sending the packet to the wrong service center instead of the Vermont Service Center
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- Do use the current 04/01/2024 edition from the USCIS forms library
- Do attach a strong personal declaration explaining the family relationship in detail
- Do include certified English translations of every foreign document
- Do file Form G-28 when an attorney represents the case
- Do request confidentiality protections under 8 USC 1367
- Do photocopy the entire packet before mailing for personal records
Don’t
- Don’t pay a filing fee, because none is required
- Don’t use electronic signatures on paper filings
- Don’t list traffickers’ addresses or contact details in the form
- Don’t ignore Requests for Evidence; respond within the 87-day window
- Don’t forget age-out protections for principals who filed before turning 21
- Don’t submit original documents unless USCIS specifically asks
Pros and Cons of Filing I-914A
Pros
- Brings family members to safety quickly, often within two years
- No filing fee, lowering financial barriers for survivors
- Automatic work authorization for derivatives inside the United States
- Path to a Green Card after three years through Form I-485 adjustment
- Confidentiality protections shield survivors from traffickers under 8 USC 1367
Cons
- Status depends on the principal’s continued T-1 validity
- Denials of the principal case automatically end derivative status
- Consular processing abroad can stretch beyond three years
- Strict evidence rules can trigger Requests for Evidence that delay cases
- Limited annual cap pressure when the 5,000 T-1 cap is reached, though derivatives are not capped
Key Entities to Know
USCIS adjudicates the form at the Vermont Service Center. The Department of State handles consular interviews abroad. The Department of Health and Human Services Office on Trafficking in Persons issues eligibility letters that unlock benefits for survivors. Nonprofits such as ASISTA, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, and the Tahirih Justice Center assist with filings nationwide.
The Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review recognizes accredited representatives who can prepare T cases without being attorneys. Federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations sign Form I-914 Supplement B declarations confirming victim cooperation.
Recap of Important Adjudication Standards
The Board of Immigration Appeals and federal courts have shaped derivative T practice. In Matter of A-S-J-, the agency clarified that the present-danger standard for derivatives abroad does not require proof of actual harm, only credible threats. The 9th Circuit in Medina Tovar v. Zuchowski confirmed equivalent principles in U visa derivative cases that USCIS now applies to T derivatives. The plain-English point is that fear is enough; survivors do not have to wait for tragedy. The consequence is that strong, specific declarations carry the case.
The 2025 USCIS Policy Manual update on T derivatives clarified that USCIS will exercise prosecutorial discretion to keep derivatives together when one family member faces denial. This is a major shift, because earlier policy let one weak case sink an entire family.
Adjustment of Status After Three Years
Once the derivative holds T status for three years, or once the principal’s underlying trafficking investigation closes, the derivative can file Form I-485 to adjust to lawful permanent resident status. The plain-English benefit is a Green Card and a path to citizenship within five years of adjustment. The consequence of missing the adjustment window is loss of status when T status expires after four years.
FAQs
Is there a filing fee for Form I-914A?
No. USCIS waives all fees for Form I-914A and biometrics. Survivors and families do not need to file Form I-912 fee waiver requests for this petition.
Can a principal T-1 holder file for siblings?
Yes, but only if the principal was under 21 when the principal filed Form I-914 and the sibling is unmarried and under 18 at the time of I-914A filing.
Does the derivative need to be a trafficking victim?
No. Derivatives qualify based on family relationship to the principal, not on personal trafficking experience, although derivatives abroad must show present danger of retaliation.
Can I-914A be filed from outside the United States?
Yes. Family members abroad receive consular processing through the U.S. embassy or consulate listed in Part 3 after USCIS approves the petition.
Does derivative T status come with work authorization?
Yes. Derivatives inside the United States receive automatic EADs at approval, and those entering through a consulate may file Form I-765 once admitted.
Can a derivative apply for a Green Card later?
Yes. After three years in T status, derivatives may file Form I-485 to adjust to lawful permanent residence under INA 245(l).
Will USCIS share my information with traffickers or family abusers?
No. Confidentiality protections under 8 USC 1367 prohibit USCIS from sharing information about T applicants with anyone outside the agency without consent.
Can the principal age out and lose the ability to petition for parents?
No, as long as the principal filed Form I-914 before turning 21. The original filing date locks in eligibility for parents and minor siblings.
Does a denial of the principal case end derivative status?
Yes. Derivative T status depends on the principal’s valid T-1, so a denial or revocation of the principal case ends derivative benefits.
Can a derivative travel internationally while in T status?
Yes, but travel is risky and requires advance parole or a valid T visa stamp; absence may also reset the three-year residence clock for adjustment.
Is an interview always required for I-914A?
No. USCIS may waive the interview for derivatives inside the United States, while consular processing abroad always involves an in-person interview.
Can a same-sex spouse qualify as a derivative?
Yes. Following United States v. Windsor, USCIS recognizes same-sex marriages valid where celebrated for all immigration benefits, including I-914A.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-765V (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-821 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-914 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-918A (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-929 (w/Examples) + FAQs