Each fiscal year, the U.S. government makes 5,000 T non-immigrant visas available to principal victims of human trafficking. These visas offer a critical path to safety and lawful status for individuals who have endured severe exploitation. Immigration psychological evaluations document the nature of the abuse and the psychological harm experienced by trafficking survivors.

What Is a Psychological Evaluation for a T-Visa?

Some individuals who have been the victims of human trafficking may be eligible for T Visas. When applying for a T Visa, psychological evaluations are used to assist in documenting the substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been the victim of trafficking. The T Visa psychological evaluation assesses the client’s mental state and the mental health consequences suffered due to being trafficked.

T Visa psychological evaluations include clinical interviews and psychological testing. The psychological report consists of a description of the client’s impairments, symptoms, and diagnoses, which may include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and major depression.

Understanding the Impact of Trauma in T-Visa Cases

Survivors of human trafficking face profound physical and emotional harm, often after enduring exploitation, coercion, or forced labor or commercial sex acts. These experiences don’t just cause visible injuries; they can also lead to profound psychological distress that affects a person’s ability to feel safe, trust others, or manage day-to-day activities. For individuals applying for T Visas, showing the extent of this emotional harm is often a critical part of their legal case.

A T Visa psychological evaluation helps describe the nature and extent of the trafficking (labor, services, or commercial sex acts) and document symptoms and behavioral responses to the trafficking. These evaluations give immigration authorities a clearer understanding of what the applicant has endured and how it continues to affect them.

Signs of Trauma to Victims of Human Trafficking That May Be Documented

Psychological evaluations for T Visas focus on how a person’s mental health has been affected by the trafficking experience.

Commonly documented symptoms include:

  • Flashbacks and intrusive thoughts
  • Nightmares or disturbed sleep
  • Emotional numbness or detachment
  • Panic attacks and anxiety in specific environments
  • Difficulty trusting others
  • Guilt, shame, or distorted self-blame
  • Hypervigilance or exaggerated startle responses

These symptoms may reflect trauma-related impacts like chronic anxiety, fear, or emotional detachment. Even without a formal diagnosis, these responses are often consistent with the lasting effects of coercion, abuse, and loss of safety.

Extreme Hardship of Victims of Human Trafficking

One of the criteria considered in T-Visa cases is whether the applicant would experience extreme hardship if removed from the United States. Immigration psychological evaluations help demonstrate this hardship by showing how trauma has affected the applicant’s psychological functioning, relationships, and ability to reintegrate into their country of origin.

Extreme hardship is not limited to the past trauma of trafficking; it also includes current and future emotional consequences.

For example:

  • A survivor may experience panic attacks or flashbacks triggered by specific cultural environments.
  • They may have no access to mental health support in their home country.
  • The stigma surrounding trafficking in their community may place them at risk of re-traumatization or ostracization.

By identifying these emotional, psychological, and safety-related concerns, the psychological evaluation provides objective insight into why returning to the country of origin could cause substantial harm. This is where a licensed psychologist for immigration brings value through evidence-based documentation rather than advocacy.

What Happens During the Psychological Evaluation for T-Visa?

The process begins with a structured clinical interview. During this meeting, the evaluator listens to the client’s story in a respectful, nonjudgmental environment. Since many survivors may not feel ready to speak openly, the provider uses trauma-informed approaches to build trust and reduce distress. When appropriate, standardized psychological tests are also used to understand the applicant’s mental health further.

The completed report summarizes these findings, connecting the individual’s emotional responses, such as anxiety, avoidance, and depression, to their trafficking experience.

Timing and the Importance of Early T-Visa Psychological Evaluation

The immigration attorney will determine whether a psychological evaluation for a T Visa is necessary.

It’s important to know that a psychological evaluation isn’t always required in the initial T Visa application.

Compiling a high-quality report takes time. Clinicians may need to coordinate with interpreters, conduct follow-up interviews, or request additional information to ensure the accuracy of the information.

Applicants should also be emotionally prepared. Talking about past trauma may be difficult, especially when those experiences involve coercion, exploitation, or repeated abuse. However, the evaluation is structured to protect the person’s emotional safety, and the provider’s role is to document—not judge—what the client has endured.

What Goes into the T-Visa Psychological Evaluation Report?

It includes several key elements:

  • A detailed personal and psychological history
  • Descriptions of trauma-related symptoms
  • Assessment results (if testing was conducted)
  • Diagnostic impressions, when applicable
  • An explanation of how the symptoms relate to the trafficking experience
  • Clinical insight into how the trauma continues to affect the individual today

T-Visa cases require a psychological evaluation that is not only trauma-informed but also independent, objective, and clinically sound. At Immigration Psychology, each assessment is conducted by a licensed psychologist with specialized experience in immigration psychology.

What sets Immigration Psychology apart:

  • Neutral and independent reporting: Our psychologists are independent medical examiners – not advocates.
  • Forensic expertise: We utilize validated tools, trauma-sensitive interviews, and structured assessments to ensure accurate and reliable findings.
  • Nationwide accessibility: All evaluations can be completed through a HIPAA-compliant, secure telehealth platform, allowing access across the United States.
  • Multilingual availability: Evaluations can be conducted in English or with the assistance of trained interpreters for other languages.

Every report is written to help adjudicators understand the emotional and cognitive effects of trafficking—backed by clinical detail, not general statements.

T-Visa Psychological Evaluations Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a psychological evaluation for a T Visa?

It helps show how the experience of trafficking affected your mental health, which can inform your immigration case.

What if I don’t want to talk about everything that happened?

That’s okay. You control how much you share, and the provider will take care not to cause emotional harm.

Will I be diagnosed with something?

Not always. The report may include a diagnosis if appropriate, but it can still document psychological harm without one.

Can I do this evaluation remotely?

Yes. Immigration Psychology offers both in-person and telehealth options, tailored to your location and preferences.

Does this mean I have to start therapy?

No. This is a one-time assessment for legal documentation, not ongoing mental health treatment.

Is interpretation available?

Yes. Professional interpreters can be arranged to ensure clear communication during the evaluation.

Who conducts the T-Visa psychological evaluation?

A licensed psychologist who specializes in immigration evaluations will conduct it. At Immigration Psychology, our team has undergone forensic and clinical training, and we apply standardized methods to evaluate trauma.

How does a T-Visa psychological evaluation assess extreme hardship?

The report documents how the effects of trafficking would create severe challenges if the applicant were removed from the U.S. This includes emotional deterioration, lack of access to care, social stigma, and safety concerns.

How does trauma impact a T‑Visa application?

Trauma impacts a person’s ability to function, form healthy relationships, and feel secure. Documenting these effects through a psychological evaluation for immigration purposes brings insight into the person’s mental state.

Should I include a T-Visa psychological evaluation in the initial filing?

Your immigration attorney will advise you accordingly.

Your attorney can advise on timing, but beginning your evaluation early gives you time for interviews, testing, and translation, if needed.

How long does a T-Visa psychological evaluation take?

The process typically involves 2–3 clinical interviews and, if necessary, formal psychological testing. The final report is generally completed within a few days to a few weeks, depending on its complexity, language requirements, and the availability of documents.

Will my T-Visa evaluation be confidential?

Yes. All psychological evaluations for T-Visa are conducted in compliance with HIPAA and confidentiality standards. Your information is only shared with your permission and as required for the immigration process.

How much does a T-Visa psychological evaluation cost?

T visas are handled on a flat-fee basis, with the fee determined before the case is initiated.  Contact us for the exact cost.  Immigration Psychology offers transparent pricing and a complimentary initial consultation to help you understand the process and costs involved.

Where can I find an immigration psychologist for my T-Visa evaluation?

Your lawyer may refer someone, or you can search online. You can connect with Immigration Psychology directly through our secure telehealth platform. We offer nationwide access to licensed psychologists who understand the unique needs of T-Visa applicants.

Can I opt for a T-Visa psychological evaluation in a language other than English?

Yes. Evaluations can be conducted in the applicant’s preferred language. We work with certified interpreters to ensure the interview is accurate, respectful, and culturally informed. This allows applicants to express themselves more fully, which results in more precise documentation.