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Applying for U Nonimmigrant Status (U Visa) What USCIS Forms do you need to file? What evidence should be sent with the U Visa application? What other documents are required for a U visa? The answers to all those questions and more are below in this brief guide to filing for U nonimmigrant status. FORMS TO FILE: You will need to file a separate I-918 Supp A for each derivative that will be a part of the application.  TO APPLY (PETITION) FOR A U NONIMMIGRANT STATUS, SUBMIT: You may also apply (petition) for U nonimmigrant status if you are outside the United States. To do this, you must: CHECKLIST OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR U VISA​​ ​** indicates required initial evidence. While all items in the checklist should be provided, packages will be rejected without these items. ​​ EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION Principal U Nonimmigrants: You are authorized to work once we have approved your underlying petitions for U nonimmigrant status. We will automatically issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) when we approve your petition. You do not need to file a separate Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to receive an EAD related to the approval of your petition for nonimmigrant status. ​The above instructions from the USCIS website are confusing. They say not to submit an I-765 because the issuance of EAD is automatic but it’s only automatic when the U visa is approved and that may be 4-5 years from now.   You should submit an I-765 with your I-918. If you submit an I-765 with your I-918 then they can approve the I-765 once the bona fide determination is made and while you are waiting for your U visa to become available. ​ MORE INFO ABOUT U VISAS. CAN I TRAVEL AFTER U VISA IS APPROVED? WHAT CRIMES QUALIFY FOR A U VISA?