You fill out USCIS Form I-918, Supplement A by entering the qualifying family member’s biographic data, the principal U-visa applicant’s information, immigration history, and signatures, then filing it with the principal’s Form I-918 or as a stand-alone follow-to-join petition. The form lets a spouse, child, parent, or unmarried sibling under 18 share in the principal’s U nonimmigrant status under INA §101(a)(15)(U)(ii).
The U visa protects victims of qualifying crimes who help law enforcement, and the derivative process keeps families together while that protection runs. According to the USCIS FY 2024 U Visa Statistics, more than 30,000 principal and derivative U visas were processed last fiscal year, with derivatives making up nearly 40 percent of all U-related approvals.
- 📝 How to complete every part of Form I-918 Supplement A line by line.
- 👨👩👧 Which family members qualify under 8 CFR 214.14(f).
- ⚖️ How waivers of inadmissibility through Form I-192 protect derivatives with prior issues.
- 🌍 Consular processing for relatives abroad versus adjustment of status inside the United States.
- 🧒 Age-out protection under the William Wilberforce TVPRA of 2008.
What Form I-918 Supplement A Actually Does
Form I-918 Supplement A, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of U-1 Recipient, extends U nonimmigrant status from the principal victim to certain relatives. The form lives inside the broader U visa scheme created by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. USCIS uses the supplement to confirm the family relationship, screen the relative for admissibility, and decide if the relative deserves derivative U status.
The current edition is dated 02/13/2025, and you can download it from the official USCIS Form I-918 page. There is no filing fee for Form I-918A, which the agency confirms in the Form I-918 Instructions. A common misconception is that derivatives must pay a fee like other family petitions, but the U visa program waives the cost to remove a barrier for crime victims.
The consequence of filing the wrong edition is rejection at the USCIS lockbox in Vermont. For example, Maria, a Honduran mother whose son survived a violent assault in Texas, filed an outdated 2021 edition in March 2025 and lost three months to a rejection notice. She refiled the 02/13/2025 edition and the petition moved forward, showing how a small clerical error can delay a child’s protection.
Why the Supplement Exists
Congress created the U visa to encourage crime victims to cooperate with police without fearing deportation. The supplement keeps the victim’s family unit intact, which the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 3, Part C calls a humanitarian core of the program. Without Supplement A, a parent could secure status while a child remained undocumented and at risk.
The consequence of skipping the supplement is family separation, even when the principal wins U status. Picture Luis, a restaurant worker in Chicago who got U-1 status after testifying against a robber, but never filed Supplement A for his wife abroad. His wife stayed stuck overseas for years, illustrating the practical pain of leaving derivatives unfiled.
A common misconception is that the principal’s approval automatically protects the family, but each derivative needs an individual Supplement A. The plain-English rule is simple: one relative, one form, one decision.
Who Qualifies as a Derivative Under 8 CFR 214.14(f)
Eligibility splits by the principal’s age on the date the principal filed Form I-918. If the principal is 21 or older, qualifying relatives include the spouse and unmarried children under 21, as defined in INA §101(b)(1). If the principal is under 21, the qualifying group expands to include parents and unmarried siblings under 18.
The consequence of filing for an ineligible relative is denial and wasted months. Ana, a 28-year-old principal in Florida, filed Supplement A for her 19-year-old brother and lost the petition because adult siblings of older principals do not qualify under the statute. The plain-English takeaway is that age and family role at the time of filing decide everything.
A common misconception is that stepchildren and adopted children are excluded, but they qualify if the relationship was created before the child turned 18, mirroring the rules in the INA stepchild definition. Real-world example: Daniel, a U-1 recipient in Phoenix, successfully filed for his stepdaughter because he married her mother before the child turned 18.
Spouse Derivatives
A spouse must show a legal marriage that exists at the time of filing and at the time of adjudication. Proxy marriages count only if consummated, a rule rooted in INA §101(a)(35). The consequence of a divorce during processing is automatic loss of derivative eligibility.
A common misconception is that engaged partners qualify, but only legally married spouses meet the bar. Carlos, a U-1 recipient in New York, learned this when his fiancée was rejected because the wedding had not happened before he filed. He later married her and filed a fresh Supplement A after the principal’s approval.
A real-world nuance involves common-law marriages, which USCIS recognizes if the law of the place of celebration recognizes them, per 9 FAM 102.8-1.
Child Derivatives
A child must be unmarried and under 21 at the time of the principal’s filing, with age frozen by the TVPRA age-out protection. The consequence of marriage is permanent loss of derivative status, even if a divorce follows.
A common misconception is that any biological child qualifies regardless of legitimation, but for fathers, the child must be legitimated or have a bona fide relationship before age 18. Sofia, a 16-year-old from Guatemala, qualified as a derivative through her father after he submitted DNA evidence and a sworn statement showing a bona fide parental relationship.
The plain-English version: keep the child unmarried, document the parent-child link, and the age-out clock stops at filing.
Parent and Sibling Derivatives
Parents and unmarried siblings under 18 qualify only when the principal is under 21 at filing. The statute behind this rule is INA §101(a)(15)(U)(ii)(I). The consequence of crossing the principal’s 21st birthday before filing is total loss of parent and sibling eligibility.
Esperanza, a 17-year-old trafficking survivor in Atlanta, filed Form I-918 days before her 18th birthday and locked in her mother and 12-year-old brother as derivatives. Had she waited a year, her brother would still qualify, but the parent category would close on her 21st birthday.
A common misconception is that step-parents qualify automatically, but the step-relationship must have formed before the principal turned 18 to count.
Filing Scenarios at a Glance
| Family Situation | What Happens Next |
|---|---|
| Principal age 25, files for spouse and 4-year-old child | Both file Supplement A concurrently with the principal’s I-918 |
| Principal age 19, files for parents and 15-year-old sibling | All three derivatives qualify if filed before the principal’s 21st birthday |
| Principal abroad after approval, sponsors spouse never in U.S. | Spouse pursues consular processing through the National Visa Center |
Step-by-Step Walkthrough of Form I-918 Supplement A
The supplement runs eight parts across roughly nine pages. You complete one supplement per qualifying relative, and you sign in black ink only. The entire form, with attachments, goes to the Vermont Service Center lockbox address listed in the instructions.
The consequence of leaving any field blank is a Request for Evidence or rejection. USCIS expects “N/A” or “None” when an item does not apply, a rule explained in the USCIS Tips on Filing Forms by Mail. A common misconception is that obvious fields can be skipped, but the agency treats blanks as missing data.
Part 1 — Information About You (the Qualifying Family Member)
This part collects the relative’s full legal name, other names used, mailing address, and a safe address if living with an abuser. It also asks for the relative’s A-Number, USCIS Online Account Number, country of birth, and country of citizenship. Use the names exactly as they appear on the relative’s passport or birth certificate.
The consequence of inconsistent name spellings is a long delay while USCIS reconciles records. Mei, a derivative spouse from China, used her married name on Supplement A but her maiden name on her passport, triggering a six-month RFE in 2024. She fixed the issue by submitting a marriage certificate translation under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
A common misconception is that the relative’s address must be the principal’s address, but a separate safe address is allowed and even encouraged for survivors of intimate-partner violence.
Part 2 — Additional Information About You
Part 2 captures gender, marital status, height, weight, eye color, hair color, race, ethnicity, and Social Security number if any. It also lists every entry into the United States in the last five years, including dates, ports, and immigration status.
The consequence of omitting an entry is a finding of inadmissibility under INA §212(a)(6)(C)(i) for misrepresentation. Ahmed, a derivative son from Egypt, forgot a 2019 tourist trip and faced a fraud allegation that nearly sank his case until counsel filed a Form I-192 waiver.
A common misconception is that brief layovers count as “entries,” but transit without inspection differs from formal admissions and should be described accurately.
Part 3 — Processing Information
Part 3 asks where the relative will pick up the visa abroad, if applicable, and lists every prior immigration application or petition filed by or for the relative. It also includes detailed inadmissibility questions covering crimes, prior removals, terrorism grounds, and prostitution.
The consequence of a “yes” answer without a waiver is denial, because INA §212(d)(14) lets USCIS waive almost any ground for U cases but only when Form I-192 is filed. Ricardo, a derivative spouse with a 2010 DUI in Texas, paired Supplement A with Form I-192 and won approval in 2023.
A common misconception is that a clean record means Form I-192 is unnecessary, which is true, but any prior unlawful presence over 180 days still triggers INA §212(a)(9)(B) and demands a waiver.
Part 4 — Information About the Principal
This part repeats key biographic data for the U-1 principal, including A-Number, receipt number, and date of filing. The relative’s eligibility flows from this person, so accuracy is critical.
The consequence of a wrong receipt number is misrouting at the USCIS Vermont Service Center. Always cross-check the receipt number on the principal’s Form I-797 Notice of Action.
A common misconception is that listing the principal’s nickname or short name is fine, but the legal name must match the principal’s I-918 exactly.
Part 5 — Family Members
Part 5 reports the relative’s spouse, parents, children, and siblings, even when those people are not part of the U petition. USCIS uses this list to detect future derivative chains and to spot potential fraud.
The consequence of leaving out a child is later trouble when that child seeks follow-to-join benefits under 8 CFR 214.14(f)(4). Beatriz, a derivative mother in Houston, omitted a child still in El Salvador and had to file an amended supplement in 2025 to add the child later.
A common misconception is that adult children should be left off because they are not derivatives, but every child must appear regardless of age.
Part 6 — Statement, Certification, and Signature
The relative signs and dates Part 6, certifying truthfulness under penalty of perjury per 18 U.S.C. §1621. Children under 14 do not sign; a parent or guardian signs for them.
The consequence of a missing signature is automatic rejection at the lockbox under 8 CFR 103.2(a)(2). USCIS does not allow electronic or stamped signatures for paper U filings.
A common misconception is that a typed name in script font counts as a signature, but USCIS demands a wet ink signature on the paper form.
Part 7 — Interpreter
Anyone who interpreted the form for the relative completes Part 7, including name, address, language, and signature. This protects relatives who do not read English.
The consequence of skipping Part 7 when an interpreter helped is a fraud concern. Yuki, a Japanese-speaking grandmother filing as a derivative parent, used her adult son as interpreter and listed him correctly to avoid any misrepresentation issue.
A common misconception is that family members cannot interpret, but USCIS allows it as long as the interpreter is competent and signs the form.
Part 8 — Preparer
If a lawyer, accredited representative, or paralegal prepared the form, that preparer completes Part 8 and signs. Attorneys also file Form G-28 to enter an appearance.
The consequence of unauthorized practice of law is civil and criminal penalty under 8 CFR 292.1. A common misconception is that notarios can prepare U petitions, but only DOJ-recognized representatives or licensed lawyers may.
Concurrent Filing Versus Follow-to-Join
You can file Supplement A with the principal’s I-918 or after the principal already has U-1 status. Concurrent filing speeds work authorization for derivatives in the United States once the Bona Fide Determination process issues an EAD.
Follow-to-join filings happen when the principal already has status and seeks to add a relative later. The relative abroad pursues a U visa stamp at a U.S. consulate after USCIS approval. The consequence of choosing the wrong path is delay and lost work-authorization time.
| Filing Path | Best For |
|---|---|
| Concurrent with principal’s I-918 | Relatives already in the U.S. or ready to enter soon |
| Follow-to-join after principal’s approval | Relatives abroad or relationships formed after the principal filed |
| Filing during principal’s pending status | Relatives who appear midway through processing |
Inadmissibility Waivers Through Form I-192
Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant, fixes most grounds of inadmissibility for U applicants and derivatives. The legal basis is INA §212(d)(14), which gives USCIS broad discretion to waive almost any bar in the public or national interest.
The consequence of skipping a needed waiver is denial, even when the underlying U claim is strong. The current Form I-192 fee is $1,135 for paper filing per the USCIS Fee Schedule, though fee waivers via Form I-912 are available.
A common misconception is that minor offenses do not need a waiver, but USCIS routinely demands waivers for any arrest, even dismissed charges, because INA §212(a)(2) reaches admitted conduct, not just convictions.
Common Waivable Grounds
Unlawful presence, prior removals, fraud, criminal convictions, and prostitution all fall within the INA §212(d)(14) waiver. The consequence of strong negative factors is a higher discretionary bar, which the BIA explained in Matter of Khan, 26 I&N Dec. 797 (BIA 2016).
A real-world example: Marcus, a derivative spouse with a 2015 simple-assault conviction, won a Form I-192 waiver in 2024 by submitting rehabilitation evidence, family hardship letters, and proof of community service.
A common misconception is that the waiver is automatic with U approval, but USCIS adjudicates Form I-192 independently and can deny it.
Non-Waivable Grounds
Nazi persecution, genocide, torture, and extrajudicial killing under INA §212(a)(3)(E) cannot be waived. The consequence of a true match is permanent denial.
A common misconception is that all serious crimes are non-waivable, but only the listed human-rights crimes fall outside the waiver. Even murder convictions can, in theory, be waived, though the discretionary climb is steep.
Consular Processing Versus Adjustment of Status
Derivatives inside the United States stay here while USCIS adjudicates the petition, then receive an EAD on Form I-765 under category (a)(20). Derivatives abroad attend an interview at a U.S. consulate after USCIS approval, with the case routed by the National Visa Center.
The consequence of leaving the United States during a pending petition is presumed abandonment unless the relative obtains advance parole or a visa stamp. Priya, a derivative spouse in California, lost two years of progress when she traveled to India in 2023 without authorization.
A common misconception is that consular processing is faster, but in 2025 it often takes longer than stateside adjudication because of consulate backlogs noted in the State Department Visa Bulletin.
Age-Out Protection Under the TVPRA
The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 freezes the age of a derivative child at the moment the principal files Form I-918. The age stays frozen even if adjudication takes years.
The consequence of misreading the freeze date is a child losing status by simply growing older. Kevin, age 20 when his mother filed, kept his eligibility into his 24th year because the TVPRA preserved his age at 20. A common misconception is that the freeze date is the supplement’s filing date, but it is the principal’s I-918 filing date.
A real-world example: counsel in a 2024 USCIS Administrative Appeals Office decision preserved age-out protection for a derivative whose principal filed in 2018, demonstrating the long shadow of the TVPRA shield.
Work Authorization and the Bona Fide Determination Process
Since June 2021, USCIS issues EADs to U petitioners and derivatives who pass a Bona Fide Determination (BFD). The BFD short-circuits the long U visa wait by giving four-year work authorization and deferred action while the full petition pends.
The consequence of failing the BFD screening is a normal wait of five or more years per USCIS processing data. Hannah, a derivative spouse in Seattle, received her BFD-based EAD in 2024, only 18 months after filing, far ahead of the full adjudication.
A common misconception is that the BFD grants U status, but it only gives interim work permission and protection from removal.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Form I-918A
- Filing the wrong edition, which causes lockbox rejection and lost months of processing time.
- Skipping the inadmissibility waiver on Form I-192, which leads to outright denial under INA §212(a).
- Listing a nickname for the principal, which causes USCIS to mismatch the supplement with the I-918.
- Forgetting to list every entry to the United States, which can trigger fraud findings.
- Using a stamped or electronic signature, which the lockbox rejects as invalid.
- Filing for a sibling when the principal is over 21 at filing, which is a categorical bar.
- Allowing a child to marry during processing, which permanently kills derivative eligibility.
- Failing to translate foreign-language documents per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
- Sending the form to the wrong address, since the Vermont Service Center filing location is the only correct one.
- Missing the family-members section, which causes problems for future follow-to-join filings.
Do’s and Don’ts for Derivatives
Do’s
- Do file Supplement A on the 02/13/2025 edition so the lockbox accepts it.
- Do submit a Form I-192 waiver for any inadmissibility ground, even minor ones.
- Do include certified translations of birth and marriage records under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
- Do request a safe address when domestic violence is part of the principal’s case.
- Do file Form G-28 when an attorney represents the relative.
Don’ts
- Don’t list adult siblings when the principal is 21 or older, because they do not qualify.
- Don’t skip Part 5’s family list, because USCIS uses it to spot future derivative needs.
- Don’t sign the form using a stamp or digital signature, since USCIS demands wet ink.
- Don’t travel abroad during a pending petition without advance parole, which risks abandonment.
- Don’t pay a fee for Form I-918A, because the Form I-918 Instructions confirm there is no fee.
Pros and Cons of Filing Form I-918A
Pros
- Pro: No filing fee, which removes a money barrier for crime-victim families.
- Pro: Bona Fide Determination process gives EADs faster than the full U adjudication.
- Pro: TVPRA age-out protection locks the child’s age and prevents loss from delays.
- Pro: Path to a green card after three years of U status under INA §245(m).
- Pro: Wide inadmissibility waivers under INA §212(d)(14).
Cons
- Con: Long processing times, often more than five years for non-BFD cases per USCIS processing time data.
- Con: Annual cap of 10,000 principal U visas, which slows derivative approvals.
- Con: Strict requirement that the family relationship existed at the proper moment.
- Con: Travel restrictions during pendency that can break families apart.
- Con: Discretionary nature of the Form I-192 waiver, which can fail despite strong equities.
State Certifying Agency Nuances
Although the U visa is federal, the principal’s Form I-918 Supplement B requires a certification from a state, local, or tribal authority. State laws shape who must sign. California Penal Code §679.10 sets a 90-day deadline for certification.
The consequence of a slow certifier is a stalled principal case, which freezes the derivative case too. The Illinois VOICES Act creates similar deadlines and presumptions of cooperation.
A common misconception is that the relative needs a separate certification, but only the principal needs Form I-918B; derivatives ride on the principal’s certification.
Court and BIA Rulings to Know
The Board of Immigration Appeals shaped U visa practice in Matter of Sanchez Sosa, 25 I&N Dec. 807 (BIA 2012), which directs immigration judges to grant continuances for pending U petitions when key factors line up. Although Sanchez Sosa is most felt in removal court, derivatives benefit because their cases often piggyback on principal proceedings.
The Ninth Circuit’s decision in Mejia v. Sessions, 866 F.3d 573 (4th Cir. 2017) and similar circuit rulings confirm that USCIS has exclusive jurisdiction over U petitions, including derivatives. The consequence is that immigration judges cannot adjudicate Supplement A.
A common misconception is that an immigration judge can speed up a derivative case, but the agency, not the court, controls timing.
Adjustment of Status After Three Years
Once a derivative holds U status for three continuous years, the relative may apply for a green card with Form I-485 under INA §245(m). The relative must show continuous physical presence and humanitarian, family unity, or public-interest factors.
The consequence of leaving the United States for more than 90 days during the three years is presumed disruption of continuous presence. Olivia, a derivative child who studied abroad for a semester in 2024, kept her continuous presence by documenting that the trip was for education and tied to her U-1 mother’s hardship.
A common misconception is that derivatives must wait for the principal to adjust, but each derivative’s clock runs independently from the date of U status grant.
FAQs
Is there a fee for Form I-918 Supplement A?
No. The Form I-918 Instructions confirm there is no filing fee, and USCIS rejects any payment that arrives with a stand-alone Supplement A.
Can I file Form I-918A separately from the principal’s Form I-918?
Yes. Derivatives can file with the principal’s I-918 or after the principal already has U-1 status, which is known as follow-to-join filing under 8 CFR 214.14(f).
Does my child age out at 21 during the long wait?
No. The TVPRA of 2008 freezes the child’s age at the moment the principal filed Form I-918, so growing past 21 during processing does not bar the child.
Can a derivative work in the United States?
Yes. Derivatives can request EADs under category (a)(20) using Form I-765, and the Bona Fide Determination process speeds this for relatives in the United States.
Do I need a waiver if I have a clean record?
No. A clean record without unlawful presence over 180 days avoids inadmissibility, but any prior bar still demands Form I-192.
Does a divorce kill spouse derivative status?
Yes. A divorce before adjudication ends spouse eligibility under INA §101(a)(35), which is one of the harshest cliffs in U practice.
Can my parents qualify if I am the principal and 22?
No. Parents qualify only when the principal is under 21 at the moment of filing under INA §101(a)(15)(U)(ii).
Can derivatives get a green card later?
Yes. After three years of continuous U status and physical presence, derivatives may apply on Form I-485 under INA §245(m).
Can step-children file as derivatives?
Yes. Step-children qualify if the marriage that created the step-relationship happened before the child turned 18, mirroring INA §101(b)(1)(B).
Can a same-sex spouse qualify?
Yes. USCIS recognizes same-sex marriages valid where celebrated under guidance from USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0091.
Will travel during pendency hurt my case?
Yes. Leaving the United States during pendency without advance parole risks abandonment unless the relative is already abroad for follow-to-join consular processing.
Can the principal’s denial cancel my derivative case?
Yes. Derivative status flows from the principal, so a principal denial ends the derivative under 8 CFR 214.14(f)(7).
Related reading
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-539 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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