The U Visa, formally known as U Nonimmigrant Status, was created to protect victims of certain crimes who have suffered significant mental or physical abuse and have assisted, or are willing to assist, law enforcement in an investigation or prosecution. A U Visa psychological evaluation can play a critical role in this process by documenting the emotional and psychological impact of what you’ve experienced.
At Polaris Psychology, our licensed clinical psychologists specialize in trauma-informed immigration evaluations, including professional psychological assessments for U Visa applicants. These detailed evaluations help illustrate the lasting psychological effects of the crime and provide credible, compassionate documentation to support your Form I-918 application.
What is a U Visa Psychological Evaluation?
A U Visa psychological evaluation is a professional mental health assessment completed by a licensed psychologist to support your Form I-918 application for U Nonimmigrant Status. Its purpose is to provide clear, evidence-based information about your emotional and psychological wellbeing following a qualifying crime.
The process typically includes a comprehensive clinical interview and, when appropriate, standardized questionnaires. These help your psychologist understand your experiences and any related emotional or psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. The evaluation results in a detailed report that offers objective, professional documentation for your immigration case.
At Polaris Psychology, we approach every evaluation with care and cultural sensitivity. Our role is to create a safe, respectful environment while applying our clinical expertise to prepare high-quality reports that meet the professional and ethical standards expected in immigration proceedings.
For more information about the U Visa process, visit the official USCIS page.
Why Choose Polaris Psychology for Your U Visa Psychological Evaluation?
Choosing the right professional for your U Visa psychological evaluation is an important step in ensuring your application is supported by accurate, credible documentation. At Polaris Psychology, each evaluation is conducted by licensed psychologists with the expertise, professionalism, and care needed for this highly specialized work.
Here’s what sets our practice apart:
Doctoral-Level Clinicians with Advanced Training
All evaluations are completed by licensed psychologists with doctoral degrees and advanced training in trauma, assessment, and forensic documentation. Our qualifications ensure that each report meets professional and ethical standards.
Extensive Experience with U Visa Evaluations
We have substantial experience providing psychological evaluations for U Visa applications. Our reports are thorough, clinically sound, and written to the standards expected by immigration attorneys and USCIS reviewers.
Trauma-Informed and Culturally Sensitive Care
We recognize that every person’s story is unique. Our approach is grounded in compassion and respect, creating a safe and supportive environment for clients from all backgrounds.
Multilingual Capabilities
Our team works with interpreters to provide services in 100+ languages, ensuring that language barriers do not affect the evaluation process. We offer support to victims of criminal activity from diverse backgrounds.
We combine clinical expertise with compassion, recognizing that behind every evaluation is a person who has already shown tremendous strength. Our goal is to provide clear, objective, and respectful documentation that helps you move forward with confidence and dignity.
What to Expect During Your U Visa Psychological Evaluation
Undergoing a U Visa psychological evaluation can feel unfamiliar, so we want you to know what to expect at each stage. The process is designed to be clear, structured, and supportive from start to finish. All appointments are conducted by secure video call for your privacy and convenience, and each evaluation is handled with care, professionalism, and respect.
Step 0 (Optional): Free 15-Minute Consultation
Before beginning, you may choose to schedule a brief video consultation with one of our psychologists. This meeting gives you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss your goals, and determine whether our service feels like the right fit. It’s completely optional, you’re welcome to proceed directly to scheduling your full evaluation.
Step 1: Intake and Paperwork
After scheduling, you’ll receive secure electronic forms to complete before your appointment. These forms gather background information about your experiences, current wellbeing, and relevant history so your psychologist can prepare thoughtfully for your meeting. Completing this paperwork in advance helps make your session more focused and efficient.
Step 2: Initial Evaluation Session (2 Hours by Video Call)
Your clinical interview appointment is a private video call with a licensed psychologist. During this meeting, the psychologist conducts a detailed assessment to learn about your personal history, current emotional state, and experiences related to the qualifying crime. This session provides space to share your story in a safe and respectful environment.
Step 3: Additional Sessions (If Needed)
Depending on your situation, a follow-up video call may be scheduled to clarify details or gather additional information. Some evaluations are completed in one session, while others require more time. The process is flexible and adapted to your needs and comfort level.
Step 4: Report Preparation and Draft Review
After all interviews are complete, your psychologist prepares a detailed written report. Reports are typically completed within approximately four weeks, or within two weeks for expedited evaluations.
You will have the opportunity to review the draft report to confirm factual details, such as names, dates, and spellings, before it is finalized. With your written permission, your attorney or legal representative may also review the draft for factual accuracy.
Step 5: Finalization and Submission
Once finalized, the report is provided to you, and, if you have granted permission, to your attorney or authorized representative. Reports are written independently and adhere to the professional and ethical standards for forensic psychological evaluations. All information is handled with strict confidentiality and care.
At Polaris Psychology, we know that this process can feel deeply personal. Our goal is to make it transparent and supportive while maintaining the highest standards of clinical integrity. From your first contact to the delivery of your final report, we approach every step with professionalism, compassion, and respect for your individual experience.
How the Evaluation Can Support Your Form I-918 Application
A U Visa psychological evaluation provides immigration officials with professional, independent documentation of your emotional and psychological wellbeing after a qualifying crime. When submitted with your Form I-918 application, this report offers a clearer, clinically informed picture of your experiences.
Why Psychological Evaluations Matter
A well-prepared psychological evaluation can:
- Provide expert verification of a mental health impact and assess wellbeing after a qualifying crime.
- Help immigration officials understand the impact of your experiences through an objective, trauma-informed lens.
- Offer independent, evidence-based documentation that adds depth and clarity to your U Visa application.
Psychological evaluations do not determine legal outcomes, but they can complement your submitted materials by providing expert, objective information that helps verify your experiences and illustrate the full context of the impact.
Research on Psychological Evaluations in Immigration Cases
While there is currently no published research specific to U Visa outcomes, studies in asylum cases, another form of humanitarian immigration relief, have shown that psychological evaluations can strengthen documentation and help decision-makers better understand applicants’ experiences.
According to a 2021 study by Physicians for Human Rights, asylum seekers and other immigrants who obtained forensic medical or psychological evaluations were granted asylum or other relief in 81.6% of cases, nearly twice the rate of those without such evaluations
Note: These findings are presented for context only. A psychological evaluation cannot guarantee or predict the outcome of any immigration case.
Our Commitment to Professional Excellence
At Polaris Psychology, our licensed psychologists prepare evaluations that are objective, detailed, and USCIS-ready. Each report is written independently, without influence from attorneys or external parties. Our role is to ensure your evaluation is professionally prepared so that decision-makers have accurate, clinically sound information when reviewing your case.
For more information about the U Visa process, visit the official USCIS page on Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status.
Pricing and Payment
At Polaris Psychology, we accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and FSA/HSA accounts for payment.
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Evaluation Fee $1,528
Due in full at the first intake session. We accept credit cards, debit cards, FSA/HSA, and, in some cases, cash or cashier's checks.
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Expedited Evaluation + $508
Due in full at the first intake session. We accept credit cards, debit cards, FSA/HSA, and, in some cases, cash or cashier's checks.
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Addenda $250/hour
Should you need an update to your initial report after it is finalized, we can provide this for an additional fee of $250 per hour.
Please contact us if you have any questions about payment options. We are committed to making the process as smooth and transparent as possible, so you can focus on your U Visa application.
Confidentiality and Communication
Your evaluation is confidential and protected by doctor-patient confidentiality. If you wish for us to communicate with your attorney, you will need to sign a release of information form. This will allow us to share your completed evaluation report with your attorney to support your U Visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled answers to some common questions about our U Visa psychological evaluations. If you need more information or have specific concerns, feel free to reach out to us directly.
Q: Why do I need a psychological evaluation for my I-918 U Visa application?
A: Form I-918 (U Visa) is reserved for non-citizens who:
- Were victims of a qualifying crime that occurred in the United States
- Suffered substantial physical or psychological abuse as a result
- Have been, are, or will be helpful to law-enforcement officials
A trauma-informed psychological evaluation documents the nature and severity of the abuse, verifies ongoing mental-health effects (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety, dissociation), and explains how those symptoms shape your daily life and your ability to cooperate with investigators. The clinical report can:
- Corroborate the “substantial abuse” requirement
- Demonstrate continuing need for protection, services, or stability in the U.S.
- Add detail to any accompanying I-192 waiver (inadmissibility) or derivative applications for qualifying relatives
Q: What happens during a U Visa psychological evaluation?
A: You will meet (virtually by confidential video call) with a licensed psychologist experienced in working with survivors of violence and crime. The process includes:
- Informed-consent & safety planning to ensure control over what you share
- Compassionate, in-depth interviews covering the crime, its aftermath, current symptoms, family responsibilities, and coping supports
- Evidence-based assessment tools measuring trauma, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and functional impairment
The final report may link clinical findings to U Visa legal standards, particularly the “substantial abuse” prong, and is written in language that attorneys and adjudicators can integrate directly into your filing packet.
Q: How much does the psychological evaluation cost?
A: The evaluation fee is $1,528, due in full at the first intake session. If you need an expedited evaluation which needs to be completed within two weeks, an additional $508 fee applies, totaling $2,036.
Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: Most health insurance plans classify immigration-related psychological evaluations as “non-covered services,” so coverage is rare. For that reason, Polaris Psychology operates on a private-pay basis for all immigration evaluations.
Q: Do you offer immigration evaluations where I am?
Q: Do I need to work with an immigration attorney?
A: While you may file a U Visa application on your own, this process involves complex statutes, potential law-enforcement certifications, and strict documentary requirements. We strongly recommend legal representation. An experienced immigration lawyer can:
- Secure the necessary law-enforcement certification and frame your helpfulness to investigators
- Integrate our independent clinical report into a case that meets the “substantial abuse” standard
- Navigate waiting-list issues, derivative applications, and any waiver of inadmissibility
Our evaluation clarifies the humanitarian impact of the crime but it is not a substitute for legal advice, and our clinicians do not provide legal services.
If you need help finding qualified counsel, these resources are a good starting point:
Q: Is the psychological evaluation confidential?
A: Yes, your evaluation is completely confidential. All information you share is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and used solely to prepare your report. We release the report only to you (or your attorney) and only with your written consent.
Q: What if I don't speak English?
A: If English is not an option, we work with professional medical interpreters during the interview portion of the evaluation. This ensures that you can comfortably communicate in your native language. While the final evaluation report is provided in English, translators are available to assist with the interview.
We work with interpreters in 100+ languages, including: Amharic, Arabic, Assamese, Bengali, Chinese, Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Urdu, Hausa, Mandarin, Punjabi, Pashto, Tamil, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish, Swahili, and many more.
Ready to Begin? Schedule Your Immigration Evaluation Consult Today.
The process of applying for a U Visa as a victim of criminal activity can be emotionally and psychologically overwhelming. Simply use the calendar below to choose a time that works for you. Once booked, you’ll be set up for a direct consultation with one of our licensed psychologists.