There's no filing fee, and USCIS doesn't notify the abuser that a petition exists. That confidentiality is protected under 8 U.S.C. § 1367, a federal law that also bars USCIS from denying a case based solely on information the abuser supplies.

On December 22, 2025, USCIS issued Policy Alert PA-2025-33, rewriting its VAWA policy manual chapter. USCIS says the update responds to a sharp rise in filings — VAWA self-petitions grew roughly 360% between fiscal years 2020 and 2024, with parent-based petitions up more than 2,000%, according to the agency's own announcement.

Three changes matter most:

If your I-360 is still pending, it's now being evaluated under the new standard — even if you filed it years ago under the old rules. USCIS hasn't announced a separate notice process for pending petitioners, so if your case is still open, it's worth confirming your file already documents cohabitation during the relationship itself, not just at some point in your history with the abuser.

VAWA applies an "any credible evidence" standard, meaning no single document is mandatory. A detailed personal declaration, witness affidavits, and records from police, medical providers, or counselors can all support a case — USCIS's own eligibility page confirms that police or court involvement isn't required.

Many people assume a case without police or medical records can't succeed, but it's not true. USCIS's own guidance says a credible, detailed personal statement can carry significant weight on its own — but under the new standard, that statement needs to speak directly to when and where you lived with the abuser, not just what happened.

All I-360 VAWA petitions go through the Vermont Service Center — there's no other office and no premium processing option. As of mid-2026, USCIS reports completing roughly 80% of these petitions in about 49.5 months, up from around 41.5 months in early 2025.

Based on Marble's internal case data, attorneys typically complete the I-360 preparation and filing itself — the part of the process before your case ever reaches USCIS's queue — in roughly 2 to 5 months, depending on whether it's filed alone or concurrently with Form I-485. That's Marble's side of the timeline; the multi-year wait above is USCIS's review, which happens afterward and is out of any attorney's control.

Once your I-360 is approved, you can apply for a work permit (an EAD) under a category tied directly to that approval — it doesn't depend on the abuser or on a separate deferred-action grant, which is currently decided case by case rather than automatically.

If your abuser is a US citizen, you're treated as an "immediate relative," meaning your green card application (Form I-485) can often move forward at the same time as your I-360. If your abuser is an LPR, your case falls in the F2A preference category, which has an annual numerical limit — approval doesn't guarantee an immediately available visa number, so you may still wait even after your I-360 is approved.

It applies the same way in all 50 states, so there's no state-by-state difference in eligibility or process. If your situation also involves a state family law matter — a divorce, custody case, or protective order — that piece is handled separately under your state's law, and attorneys with Marble handle those matters alongside the immigration side.

Immigration attorneys with Marble review whether your specific facts satisfy the post-December-2025 evidentiary standard before filing, not after an RFE. That includes structuring your personal declaration so it's chronological and consistent with every document you submit, identifying which of your existing records — leases, texts, financial statements — can help establish shared residence during the relationship, and advising on timing if you're also considering a related family law matter like a protective order or divorce. Every step is priced upfront, so you know the cost before you commit.

A VAWA self-petition puts control back in your hands — you don't need your abuser's permission, signature, or even awareness to move forward. But the December 2025 policy rewrite means the version of "enough evidence" that worked two years ago may not hold up today, whether you're filing for the first time or waiting on a case you already submitted. Building the file carefully, around your specific relationship timeline, matters more now than it used to.

Disclaimer: Immigration laws and procedures can change and vary based on individual circumstances. This article provides general information and shouldn't be considered legal advice for your specific situation, and reading it doesn't create an attorney-client relationship. For personalized guidance, consult with an attorney.