Receiving an approved VAWA self-petition is a major turning point. For many survivors, it is the first step toward stability after long periods of fear and uncertainty. However, this approval does not automatically grant permanent resident status.
Instead, it opens the door to the next phase of your immigration journey. From filing for a green card to understanding your eligibility for work authorization, each step requires care and timely action.
In this guide, we explain what happens after VAWA approval in 2025 based on current immigration policies and legal procedures.
What VAWA Approval Really Means
When your VAWA self-petition is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, it confirms that you have proven a qualifying relationship with an abusive family member and met the eligibility criteria under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). But this approval notice does not give you immigration status yet. It simply means that USCIS recognizes your case and considers you eligible to pursue lawful permanent residence.
You may receive a receipt notice followed by a formal approval letter. These documents are important because they guide your next steps. They will help determine whether you can adjust status inside the United States or must begin consular processing abroad. For now, think of the VAWA approval as a green light to continue your immigration process with stronger protections in place.
Next Steps Toward Permanent Residence
After receiving your VAWA petition approval, your next step is to apply for lawful permanent resident status. This happens through one of two routes: adjustment of status (if you’re already in the U.S.) or consular processing (if you’re outside the country).
Adjustment of Status (AOS) allows you to apply for your green card without leaving the U.S. You’ll file Form I-485 and submit supporting documents such as proof of the approved petition, identity records, and medical clearance. If USCIS determines that you meet the eligibility criteria, you’ll receive an interview appointment and, later, a green card approval. During this stage, many applicants also apply for a work permit to remain employed while waiting.
Consular Processing is for those living abroad or not eligible to adjust inside the U.S. In this case, your petition is transferred to the National Visa Center, and you begin the immigrant visa process through a U.S. embassy. You’ll complete a DS-260 form, attend a medical exam, and participate in an interview conducted by a consular officer. If approved, you can enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.
Your individual circumstances, including your immigration status at the time of approval, your category as a self-petitioner, and visa availability, will guide which path applies. Consulting an experienced immigration attorney is strongly recommended to avoid delays or unnecessary rejections.
Work Authorization Options
Once USCIS approves your VAWA self-petition, you may qualify for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which allows you to work legally while your green card application is pending.
If you filed Form I-485 at the same time as your VAWA petition (a process called concurrent filing), you could also request a work permit under the (c)(9) category. This is linked to your adjustment application and usually arrives within several months of submission. It enables you to earn income and gain access to essential services while your case moves forward.
If you were not eligible to file Form I-485 immediately—for example, due to visa wait times—you can request an EAD under category (c)(31), which is based solely on an approved VAWA petition. You’ll either receive the work permit automatically if you selected that option on your original form, or you can submit Form I-765 once you receive your approval notice.
In some cases, USCIS may grant deferred action status. This protects you from removal and lets you stay in the country legally while you prepare your green card application. With deferred action, you can also apply for a work permit under the (c)(14) category. This option typically applies when a visa number is not yet available.
Make sure to track your case status and respond to receipt notices promptly. Early filing and legal guidance can make all the difference in securing your right to work without gaps.
Eligibility for a Green Card
Once your VAWA self-petition is approved, you may be eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence. But approval alone does not automatically grant a green card. Several key factors determine if you can move forward with the green card application.
Immediate Relatives vs. Preference Categories
If the abusive family member was a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child, you fall under the “immediate relative” category. This means an immigrant visa is always available. You can submit Form I-485 to adjust status as soon as your VAWA petition is approved, or even at the same time.
If the abuser was a lawful permanent resident spouse or parent, you are placed in the F2A preference category. This group is subject to annual visa limits. You must wait for your priority date to become current before filing your green card application. During this wait, you may be granted deferred action, which lets you stay in the country while monitoring the Visa Bulletin.
Waivers of Inadmissibility
Many VAWA petitioners face issues that would normally block adjustment. These include past immigration violations, unlawful presence, or minor criminal history. Fortunately, you can request waivers using Form I-601, especially if you can show a link between the abuse and the violation.
In most cases, USCIS may approve the waiver to protect survivors from being punished for circumstances tied to the abuse.
Public Charge and Financial Sponsor Exemptions
You do not need to submit an Affidavit of Support from a financial sponsor. Instead, VAWA petitioners use Form I-864W to claim an exemption. This protects survivors from relying on their abuser or others for financial backing.
Additionally, you are not subject to the public charge rule. Your use of certain benefits, like housing or food assistance, will not be held against you during the immigration process.
Common Complications
Some applicants may still face legal hurdles. These include past removal orders, unresolved criminal history, or incomplete supporting documents. Others may need to prove they entered into a good-faith marriage or provide more evidence of extreme cruelty.
In such cases, an experienced immigration attorney can help you prepare additional documentation, respond to requests for evidence, and avoid delays.
From Green Card to Citizenship
VAWA self-petitioners can apply for U.S. citizenship after receiving lawful permanent residence. If your abuser was a U.S. citizen, the timeline is three years. If the abuser held lawful permanent resident status, it’s five years.
You must show good moral character, meet the continuous residence rule, and pass the citizenship and immigration services exam. You’ll also need to submit supporting documents and may attend an interview.
For those with complex histories or prior violations, an immigration attorney can help you stay on track and avoid delays.
If You’re in Removal Proceedings
If your VAWA petition is approved while you’re in immigration court, your case becomes more complex. At that point, only an immigration judge, not Citizenship and immigration services, can grant lawful permanent resident status through adjustment.
To move forward, your immigration attorney may ask the judge to either continue or close the case, depending on your situation. If the court agrees to terminate proceedings, USCIS can take over and review your green card application.
In many cases, the approved self-petition and prima facie determination help demonstrate that you’re eligible to stay in the U.S. and adjust your immigration status. Always bring supporting evidence to court and notify USCIS if your case status changes.
Key Protections and Services You Now Qualify For
Once your VAWA petition is approved, you gain access to several immigration benefits that help stabilize your life. You may now qualify for public benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and housing support without it affecting your green card application.
You’re also eligible for a work permit (Employment Authorization Document), which lets you work legally and apply for a Social Security number or driver’s license.
VAWA approval unlocks access to domestic violence services, legal aid, and trauma recovery programs—often at no cost. These are available without risking your immigration status.
Under VAWA’s confidentiality protections, immigration services cannot share your case details with your abusive family member, even if they try to interfere.
Common Post-Approval Delays and Challenges
Even after VAWA self-petition approval, many applicants face delays. If you are not in the immediate relative category, your green card application may be paused while waiting for your priority date to become current on the visa bulletin.
Another common issue involves USCIS processing times. The agency may take months to schedule a biometrics appointment, review your supporting documents, or reach a final decision. Cases often sit in backlogs, especially at high-volume offices.
You might also receive requests for evidence. These can slow things down if additional documentation is needed to confirm good moral character or clear up past immigration violations.
Beyond the paperwork, the emotional stress is real. Long wait times, uncertainty, and inconsistent updates can make it difficult to focus on daily life. Staying informed and working with an experienced immigration attorney can help reduce both risk and anxiety.
How Chidolue Law Firm Supports VAWA Clients
At Chidolue Law Firm, we guide VAWA self-petitioners through every step after approval. Whether you plan to adjust status in the U.S. or pursue consular processing, our team handles the legal path with care and precision.
We help clients secure the right employment authorization document, advance parole, or immigrant visa, depending on their situation. If your case involves inadmissibility issues, we prepare waiver applications and ensure your supporting evidence meets the legal standard.
By working with an immigration lawyer, you avoid common mistakes in your green card application or delays from missing required documentation. We track your case status, respond to government requests, and prepare you for interviews with immigration officers.
Above all, we know the toll this process can take. That’s why we connect clients with trusted counselors, housing services, and other community partners. You don’t have to manage this alone. We’re here to protect your rights and secure your immigration benefits.
A New Chapter of Safety and Stability
VAWA approval marks more than legal progress. It’s a turning point. You’ve shown courage, met the requirements, and protected your future under U.S. immigration law.
The path to lawful permanent resident status takes time. But your rights are real. You’ve earned the chance to live free from fear, with access to help, benefits, and protection.
Stay informed, keep your documents up to date, and don’t walk this path alone.
The Chidolue Law Firm is ready to support you at every step. Book a confidential consultation today; your safety and future matter.
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