Weak Personal Declaration
Your personal declaration is the most important piece of evidence in a VAWA case. A vague or disorganized statement can undermine an otherwise strong case. We help you build a detailed, credible narrative.
Attorney-Led Immigration Representation
you have the right to file on your own
VAWA Self-Petition
Confidential Immigration Relief for Survivors of Abuse
If you are a victim of domestic violence by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent, or child — you can petition for your own green card without their knowledge or cooperation. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) protects survivors of all genders. Occam Immigration files confidential I-360 self-petitions and guides you through every step — from evidence building to green card approval.
Your safety and your immigration status are not controlled by the same person.
See How We’d Handle Your Case3000+
Families Helped
30
Days to File or Less
10+
Years of Service
4.7
Google Rating
where most cases go wrong
Top Pitfalls That Derail So Many Applications
VAWA cases require precision and sensitivity. A weak declaration, missing evidence, or a procedural misstep can delay or derail protection you urgently need. These are the most common mistakes we see before clients come to us.
Insufficient Corroborating Evidence
USCIS does not require a police report or conviction — but the more corroboration you have, the stronger your case. Medical records, therapy notes, photos, texts, and witness statements all matter.
Missing the Good Faith Marriage Element
For spouse-based VAWA petitions, you must prove the marriage was entered in good faith — not just that abuse occurred. Joint finances, shared leases, photos, and communications are all part of this showing.
Filing Without Legal Guidance
VAWA is one of the most legally and emotionally complex immigration filings. Mistakes in documentation, timing, or legal argument can result in denial — and in some cases, alert the abuser. Professional guidance is not optional.
Everything Working With Occam Includes
What You'll Get When You Work With Us
- Confidential filing — USCIS cannot contact or notify the abuser at any stage
- Self-petition without your abuser's knowledge, cooperation, or sponsorship
- Work authorization (EAD) available once your case receives prima facie approval
- Deferred action status protecting you from removal while your case is pending
- Path to lawful permanent residence (green card) without depending on your abuser
- 30-day filing through our Fast-Track-to-Filing™ program — it's how we operate
Why Survivors Choose Occam Immigration
- Confidentiality First VAWA cases live or die on confidentiality. We handle every communication, every filing, and every piece of evidence with protocols designed to keep you safe.
- Trauma-Informed Approach We understand the emotional weight of these cases. Our team builds your case around your timeline, your comfort level, and your safety — never pressuring you to relive more than necessary.
- Evidence That Holds Up The personal declaration is the centerpiece of a VAWA case. We help you write a declaration that is thorough, credible, and legally persuasive — not a generic template.
- Attorney-Led Throughout VAWA cases are high-stakes and legally nuanced. Your case is handled by immigration attorneys with specific VAWA experience, not general practitioners.
- RFE Response Ready If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, we respond with precision — strengthening the record with additional documentation, expert letters, or supplementary declarations.
a legal team, not a handoff.
A Legal Team ACCOUNTABLE for Every Step
Your case manager keeps the work moving, your legal team builds the package with you, and an attorney reviews it before filing. You always know who owns the next step.
filed in 30 days. here's how.
Fast-Track To Filing™ Program
We don't do one-size-fits-all. Your attorney will review your history, goals, and legal issues, then set the case strategy and evidence plan for your circumstances.
While you are collecting and uploading evidence, your legal team is building your application. With scheduled check-ins at least once a week, your case stays on track.
The legal team checks the complete package for accuracy and completeness, and an attorney reviews the forms, evidence, and legal strategy before anything is filed.
For every case we accept, we file within 30 days of engagement, provided you attend scheduled meetings and submit requested evidence on time. After filing, while the government controls the processing timeline and outcome, we have monthly check-in appointments to give you updates, answer questions, and prepare you for the next case milestone.
Strategy & Kickoff
Week 1Attorney-led case review and evidence plan
Application Building
Weeks 1–3Forms, evidence, and weekly check-ins
Attorney Review
By Day 30Accuracy, completeness, and legal review
Filed
By Day 30Package submitted to the government
Every case we accept is filed in 30 days or less
Client participation requirements apply.
After filing
Government-controlled timeline
Government review
The responsible agencies control processing times and requests.
Interview preparation
If an interview is scheduled, we prepare you for what to expect.
Decision & next steps
The responsible agency decides the case; we guide what follows.
Government agencies control processing times and outcomes. Our team remains accountable for guidance, preparation, and communication.
no office visit needed.
File Your Case From Anywhere
Most of our clients never step foot in an office — and their cases move just as fast. From your first consultation to your final approval, everything happens through OccamOne, our secure client platform. Even your video calls happen right inside the app — no downloads, no setup.
- Track your case in real time
- Upload documents securely
- Message your attorney directly
- Join video calls right inside the app
got questions?
VAWA Questions, Answered
You may qualify if you are the spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who has subjected you to battery or extreme cruelty. You must demonstrate a qualifying relationship, that the abuse occurred during the relationship, that you entered the marriage in good faith (for spouse petitions), that you have good moral character, and that you reside in the United States.
No. Despite the name, VAWA protections apply to all genders equally. Male victims, individuals in same-sex relationships, and children of abusive parents all qualify for VAWA self-petitions.
No. VAWA cases carry strict confidentiality protections. USCIS cannot disclose any information about your case to the abuser, contact the abuser for verification, or use any information provided by the abuser to deny your petition. These protections are codified in federal law.
No. A police report is not required. USCIS evaluates VAWA cases based on the totality of the evidence — including your personal declaration, medical records, therapy records, photographs, text messages, witness statements, and any other corroborating documentation. Many successful cases are filed without police reports.
After reviewing your I-360, USCIS issues a prima facie determination if it finds that your petition appears meritorious on its face. This is not a final approval, but it unlocks critical benefits — including eligibility for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and deferred action status, which protects you from removal while your case is adjudicated.
Yes, in certain circumstances. You can file a VAWA self-petition within two years of a divorce if the divorce was connected to the abuse. You can also file if your abuser has died, or if the abuser lost immigration status within the past two years due to an incident of domestic violence.
still have questions?
Ask us directly.
Submit your question and an Occam attorney will answer it publicly. No account, no consultation — just a real answer.
go deeper
Resources & Related Reading
let's talk.
Here’s Exactly What Happens Next
Share your email, then complete the full inquiry form so our team can review your situation.
- Share your email
- Tell us about your situation using the full inquiry form
- Our team reviews completed inquiries
- Discuss next steps if we can help
For every case we accept, we commit to prepare and file within 30 days.