Immigration attorney reviewing a confidential VAWA self-petition case.

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.

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3000+

Families Helped

Days to File or Less

10+

Years of Service

4.7

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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.

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.

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.

Meet David, Our Founder

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 1

Attorney-led case review and evidence plan

Application Building

Weeks 1–3

Forms, evidence, and weekly check-ins

Attorney Review

By Day 30

Accuracy, completeness, and legal review

Filed

By Day 30

Package 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

See How We’d Handle Your Case Explore OccamOne

OccamOne on laptop and phone — track your case, upload documents, and message your attorney from any device

don't take our word for it

Stories of Strength

Safe and Free

“I was terrified that filing would put me in danger. Occam explained the confidentiality protections, handled everything privately, and I received my prima facie determination without my ex ever knowing I filed. For the first time in years, I feel safe.”

Maria L., VAWA Self-Petition Approved

Verified Occam Immigration Client

Work Authorization in Weeks

“After years of depending on my spouse for everything — including my immigration status — Occam helped me file my own petition. I had my work permit within months and am now supporting myself and my children independently.”

Priya K., VAWA EAD Approved

Verified Occam Immigration Client

A Second Chance

“I didn't think I had options. My husband controlled everything, including whether I could stay in this country. Occam showed me that VAWA exists for exactly this situation. They were patient, they were kind, and they got my case approved. I have my green card now.”

Elena S., VAWA Green Card Approved

Verified Occam Immigration Client

Believed and Supported

“Other attorneys didn't take my case seriously because I didn't have a police report. Occam explained that USCIS looks at the full picture. They helped me gather therapy records, text messages, and wrote my declaration with me. The case was approved on the first filing.”

James T., VAWA Self-Petition Approved

Verified Occam Immigration Client

The testimonials above are from actual Occam Immigration clients. Results in their cases do not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for others. Every immigration case is unique and depends on its own facts and circumstances, which is why working with attorneys experienced in your specific case type matters.

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.

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Resources & Related Reading

Start Here

VAWA 101: Understanding the Violence Against Women Act for Immigration

In-Depth Guides

From the Blog

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