Step one: the confidential assessment
Before anything is filed, the relationship, the abuse, the residence, and the timing are reviewed. Eligibility can turn on details people do not expect, including how long ago a marriage ended or when a spouse naturalised.
Step two: building the record from your side
Your own declaration is the spine of the case. Around it sit whatever exists: counselling or medical records, messages, photographs, statements from people who saw it, financial documents, and any protective order. The abuser signs nothing and provides nothing.
Step three: filing and prima facie determination
The self-petition is filed on your own. Petitioners often receive a determination that the case is prima facie valid, which can matter for access to certain benefits while the case is pending.
Step four: work authorisation and residence
Where the petition is approved, work authorisation and the route to permanent residence follow, depending on category and visa availability. Confidentiality protections apply throughout.
