Requesting Expedited Processing of a Case by USCIS

Mar 27, 2023 | Requesting Expedited Processing of a Case by USCIS

USCIS has a formal process in place for some instances, meriting expedited processing. Expedited processing means that you are requesting that USCIS adjudicate your case faster than their normal processing times. If you do not have a ground to ask USCIS to adjudicate your case faster than normal, but your case is delayed beyond the normal processing times, please refer to the other options at the end of this post.

Expedite processing (adjudicating the case faster than usual) is considered for the following scenarios:

  • Severe financial loss to a company or person
  • Emergencies and urgent humanitarian reasons;
  • A nonprofit organization (as designated by the Internal Revenue Service) whose request is in furtherance of the cultural or social interests of the United States;
  • U.S. government interests;
  • Clear USCIS error.

If you believe your case falls under one of the grounds above, the steps to request an expedite are as follows:

  • Call USCIS at 1 (800) 375-5283. Say the magic words “Make an InfoPass appointment” (and keep repeating them) to get through to a live person. Once a live person answers, explain the need to expedite your case based on one of the grounds above. You will need your pending case application receipt number, so have that handy.
  • After a certain amount of time (usually a day or two), USCIS will email you requesting that you send documentation to support your claim.
  • Once you receive the email and you have the documentation ready here is how you submit it to USCIS.
    • If you have a USCIS online account (we strongly recommend using the USCIS online account):
      • Log into your USCIS online account;
      • Find your Case Card by going to the Home page located under the MyAccount menu;
      • On your Case Card, select the Documents tab;
      • Scroll down to the bottom to Unsolicited Evidence and click Upload Evidence to upload your supporting evidence documents;
      • Next, go to your Inbox located under the MyAccount menu to send a secure message to request the processing of your case be expedited;
      • Select “Expedites” for the type of secure message you will be sending;
      • In your message indicate the Form Number and which Expedite Criteria you wish to be considered for (Emergencies and urgent humanitarian reasons);
      • Describe in detail how it will negatively affect you or your company if you do not receive the benefit in time; and
      • Indicate that you have successfully uploaded the necessary supporting evidence in your USCIS online account, with the name of each document and the date you uploaded them; then click Send.
    • If you do not have a USCIS online account, please check your receipt number to see if it starts with the letters “IOE.”
      • If your receipt number does start with “IOE,” please create a USCIS online account to upload evidence supporting your need to expedite your case. You should have received an Online Acceptance Notice with directions on how to set up a USCIS online account to include an Online Account Code (OAC) to link your form to your account. Please Note: If your OAC has expired, please submit an inquiry to reset you OAC at my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp.
      • If your receipt notice number does not start with an “IOE,” please contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) for assistance with your request.
  • After submission of the above, USCIS will decide whether to expedite your case and inform you via email.

If, on the other hand, you are not requesting that USCIS adjudicate the case faster than usual, but your case is unreasonably delayed, there are other options, such as a congressional inquiry or even suing the government. Please let us know if your case is unduly delayed and if you would like to file a suit against the government to adjudicate your claim promptly. If you are a current client of Vrapi Weeks, contact the attorney handling your case. If you are not an existing client, please schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys here.

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