The Violence Against Women Act self-petition lets a person who has been abused by a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child file their own immigration petition — without the abuser’s knowledge, consent, or participation. Despite the Act’s historical name, VAWA self-petitions are available regardless of gender.

This 18-page plain-language Playbook explains who qualifies in each of the three self-petitioner categories (abused spouse, child, parent), the eligibility elements and the “any credible evidence” standard, how the confidentiality protections at 8 USC 1367 work in practice, how Form I-360 is prepared and filed with the Vermont Service Center, what prima facie determination unlocks (deferred action, work authorization, public benefits in many states), employment authorization under category (c)(14), the path from approved I-360 to lawful permanent residence, derivative children, how VAWA compares to the U visa and the T visa for abuse survivors, the VAWA-specific waivers of inadmissibility bars, and where to find safe help.

What’s inside

What a VAWA self-petition actually is
Who qualifies: the three self-petitioner categories
Eligibility elements and evidence
The confidentiality protections at 8 USC 1367
Form I-360 and the self-petition package
Prima facie determination and deferred action
Employment authorization under category (c)(14)
From approved I-360 to green card
Derivative children on a VAWA petition
VAWA, U visa, and T visa compared
Inadmissibility and the VAWA waivers
When something goes wrong
Resources and safe help

18 pages. Instant download. Written by an inactive Illinois-licensed attorney with 25 years of legal experience. Not legal advice. VAWA cases should ideally be handled with the help of an attorney or an accredited representative at a domestic violence nonprofit; resources for finding representation and safe help are included.