VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) and its subsequent reauthorizations amended the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to allow abused spouses and children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and abused parents of U.S. citizen sons and daughters 21 years of age or older to file their own self-petition for immigrant classification. The VAWA self-petition is filed on the Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Form I-360).  An approved Form I-360 provides self-petitioners with immigrant classification as either immediate relatives or under a family-based preference category and allows them to apply for LPR status. It would then be the same as if the person had an approved I-130 petition from that family member. They can adjust status using an I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status. Who is eligible for VAWA? You may be eligible to apply for VAWA if you: 1. Be AND 2. you were abused by them. WHAT BENEFITS DOES VAWA PROVIDE? An individual who is approved for VAWA: WHAT DO I HAVE TO SHOW TO APPLY FOR VAWA? There are several requirements that need to be met and proven when applying for VAWA. You will need to demonstrate that you: