Immigration Mental Health Evaluations for U-Visa Cases
A U-Visa provides immigration relief to individuals who have been victims of certain crimes and who have cooperated, are cooperating, or are willing to cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of that crime.
A mental health evaluation in a U-Visa case documents how the experience of being a crime victim has affected a person’s mental health and daily functioning. Immigration officials consider not only what happened but also how those experiences have affected the person’s ability to function, maintain stability, and participate in daily life.
This type of evaluation is commonly used to document:
How the experience of being a crime victim has affected daily functioning
Ongoing mental health symptoms related to the experience
Difficulties with work, school, or managing ongoing responsibilities
Changes in relationships, sense of safety, or ability to function in the community
How symptoms affect decision making, concentration, or everyday tasks
This type of evaluation is commonly requested when:
The experience of victimization has had a significant effect on mental health or daily functioning
Additional clinical documentation may help support the case
An attorney has recommended a mental health evaluation as part of the filing
Written records alone do not fully show the psychological impact of the experience
Is this the same as therapy? Why can’t my therapist write this?
An immigration mental health evaluation is different from therapy or a letter from a treating therapist.
Therapy is focused on treatment. It is an ongoing relationship meant to support healing and emotional wellbeing over time. Therapy notes and letters are written for clinical care, not for legal review, and they typically do not include the level of detail or structure that immigration filings require.
An immigration mental health evaluation is a time-limited clinical assessment completed for documentation purposes. The evaluator’s role is objective and professional. The focus is on gathering and clearly organizing information about a person’s experiences and current mental health for use in an immigration case.
Because of this difference, a short letter from a therapist is often not sufficient for immigration purposes . If you are currently in therapy, that relationship is separate and continues independently of the process.
Fees and Next Steps
Standard Evaluation: $1,000 (report delivered within 4 weeks of signing)
Expedited Evaluation: $1,300 (report delivered within 10 business days of signing)
Rush Evaluation: $2,000 (report delivered within 3 business days of the interview)
A $320 deposit is required to schedule and is applied toward your total balance. Payment plans are available for standard evaluations. Payment must be received in full before the report is released. Immigration mental health evaluations are not covered by health insurance.
The first step is a brief consultation to discuss your case and whether an evaluation is appropriate for your situation. There is no commitment required at that stage.
Disclaimer: This evaluation does not determine the outcome of a case or argue for a specific result. Its purpose is to provide neutral, professional documentation based on interviews, available records, and standardized assessment tools when appropriate. These services are offered as a forensic mental health evaluation for immigration cases, not as therapy or treatment.