U Visa Fingerprints Done: What's Next? (And Other Questions We Hear Daily)

It’s completely normal to feel left in the dark while your U visa is processing, especially right after your fingerprints have been taken. What happens next? How long will it take? How can you protect your family from deportation? Can you do anything to speed things up? 

These are the questions on every applicant’s mind. Pro Se Pro has helped thousands of people navigate their immigration processes. And with backlogs stretching years, it's more important than ever to understand the U Visa process and what you can do to strengthen and expedite your U Visa case.

In this article, we’ve gathered the latest information for 2025 to help you understand every step of your U Visa process, including what happens after your biometrics are done. We’ll break down where your case goes next, how the work permit process fits in, and what terms like "bona fide determination" actually mean for you. You'll also learn about common causes of delay—and how some applicants are using certain legal strategies to move their cases forward faster. 

If you have more questions or you want help reviewing the particular details of your case, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at (802) 318-4668 or use our U Visa Tool to get more information on when your U Visa may be coming. Pro Se Pro's attorney advisor has access to exclusive USCIS data that nobody else has access to!

Did you know?

If you are facing unreasonable delays in your U visa work permit, you may be eligible to take legal action to guarantee a fast response from USCIS. Learn more about how Pro Se Pro can help with a U Visa EAD Mandamus lawsuit.

Step-by-Step: What Happens After You Submit a U Visa Application

Here's what typically happens after you submit Form I-918 (U visa application):

1. Receipt Notice: First, you'll receive a confirmation from USCIS stating that your application was received. This notice includes your receipt number, which you can use to track your case online through the USCIS Case Status tool.
2. Biometrics (Fingerprinting): You’ll be scheduled for an appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This is used for a background check to verify your identity and screen for any past criminal or immigration violations.
3. “Bona Fide Determination”: This is an initial review by USCIS to confirm that your application is complete and credible. If you meet the basic requirements, you may be granted temporary benefits—like a work permit—while your full case is still being processed.
4. Receive Work Permit (Category C14): If your application passes the BFD review, you may receive a temporary work permit (Form I-765, Category C14). This allows you to work legally in the U.S. while waiting for the final decision on your U visa. The permit is usually valid for four years and can be renewed.
5. Final U Visa Decision (Concrete Approval): If your case is ultimately approved, you’ll be granted U nonimmigrant status for four years. This comes with deferred action protection and the ability to apply for lawful permanent residency (a green card) after three years of continuous presence under U visa status.

2025 Update: How Long Is the U Visa Taking?

This timeline can feel confusing, especially if your biometrics were taken recently. But remember: biometrics do not affect your place in line. The only date that matters for processing the order is the receipt date listed on your I-918 form. That’s the date USCIS uses to determine when your case will be reviewed for a Bona Fide Determination or full adjudication. And this is not happening in a first-in-first-out order.

If your receipt date is getting close to the posted processing window, it’s a good idea to start gathering documents in case USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE). And if you're well past the posted timeline with no updates, or even if you’ve waited more than 90 days for your BFD, you may want to consider whether you're eligible to file a mandamus lawsuit to push your case forward.

What most people don't know is that, even under the current Trump administration, now is actually the best time to take legal action. 

What Is a “Bona Fide Determination” (BFD)?

A Bona Fide Determination means that USCIS has reviewed your U visa application and found it to be complete, credible, and filed in "good faith". It doesn't mean your case is fully approved, but it’s a sign that USCIS sees your case as legitimate and worthy of temporary protections while they continue the full review process. You have the right to be excited, this is an important milestone in your U visa case!

One of the biggest benefits of receiving a BFD is becoming eligible for a work permit under category C14, which gives you the ability to live and work legally in the U.S. while your case is pending. For many applicants, this provides much-needed stability during what can otherwise be years of uncertainty.

👉 Recent updates to BFD: As of 2023, USCIS has shortened the wait time for a BFD from 5 years to 3 years. That’s a big improvement! While not every case moves quickly, this shift has opened the door for more applicants to access work authorization earlier in the process.

It’s still a long time, if you have been waiting for more than 90 days without your BFD then it might be a good time to consider a mandamus lawsuit.

Can You Expedite a BFD Decision on Your U Visa Case?

Yes — in certain situations, it may be possible to file a lawsuit (mandamus action) to pressure USCIS to decide on your BFD if you’ve been waiting too long. A mandamus lawsuit is a legal tool that asks a federal judge to compel USCIS to take action on a case that’s been unreasonably delayed. It doesn’t ask the court to approve your application—just to force USCIS to do its job.

Out of the several ways to expedite cases with USCIS, filing a mandamus lawsuit has become a common and increasingly effective strategy for those ignored or stalled for far too long.

What Happens After You Get Your Work Permit?

After receiving your C14 work permit, your U visa application enters a waiting period until USCIS makes a final decision. This last step is known as “concrete approval,” and it grants you official U nonimmigrant status along with a path to apply for your green card (residency).

Unfortunately, this stage can involve a long wait. As of May 2025, USCIS is processing U visa approvals with receipt dates from February 2017. That means applicants are often stuck in line for several years, even after receiving work permits, simply because of the statutory cap: only 10,000 visas can be granted each year.

After Approval: When Can You Apply for a Green Card?

Once your U visa is finally approved, you become eligible to apply for your green card (lawful permanent residency) after three years of continuous physical presence in the U.S. while holding U visa status. It's important that you maintain this status without significant interruptions and meet other basic eligibility criteria, such as good moral character.

If you're the principal applicant, you’ll apply under category A19. If you’re a derivative—such as a child, spouse, parent, or other qualifying family member—you’ll apply under category A20. Both categories provide a direct path toward becoming a permanent resident.

Please note that you don’t need to wait to hit the three-year mark before gathering documents or preparing your green card application. If you start doing this early, it can help you avoid more delays later, especially if you're planning to include dependents or need help documenting your continuous presence.

Bonus: Can You Still Apply for a U Visa if the Crime Happened Many Years Ago?

Absolutely. The U visa is not limited by how long ago the crime happened. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you can still apply.

What matters most is your ability to provide credible evidence that you were a victim of a qualifying crime and that you are willing to assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution. That cooperation is at the heart of the U visa’s purpose.

So even if the crime occurred decades ago, don’t count yourself out. If you’ve never applied or were told it was “too late,” now might be the right time to revisit your case and speak with someone who understands how U visa protections work today. 

Don’t Wait in the Dark — We're Here to Help

The U visa process is slow, complex, and stressful. But you don’t have to go through it alone — and you don’t have to settle for uncertainty. Whether you’re still waiting for your BFD, confused about your receipt date, or want to explore a lawsuit to expedite your case, help is available.

If you’re looking for a more accessible way to take action without hiring a private law firm, check out Pro Se Pro’s U Visa Mandamus Service. We provide step-by-step legal support to help you file a mandamus lawsuit on your own, so you can demand the response you deserve — faster and more affordably.

Don’t wait in the dark. Help is here, and you have more options than you may think. Call our team today: (802) 318-4668

‍