Expedite Requests
USCIS Expedite Request Procedures
Comprehensive guide to requesting expedited processing of USCIS applications for emergency situations, severe financial loss, and urgent humanitarian reasons.
Important Notice
Expedite requests are granted only in exceptional circumstances. USCIS has broad discretion in granting or denying these requests. Prepare comprehensive documentation and evidence to support your request. False or misleading statements can result in case denial.
Expedite Criteria
USCIS will consider expediting applications only when they meet specific criteria demonstrating urgent need or compelling circumstances that justify faster processing than normal timeframes.
USCIS Expedite Criteria (2025)
- Severe financial loss to company or individual
- Emergency situations and urgent humanitarian reasons
- Nonprofit organization (designated by IRS) whose request is in furtherance of cultural and social interests of the United States
- Department of Defense or National Interest Situation
- USCIS error that caused delay
- Compelling interest of USCIS to act on the case expeditiously
High Standard Required
Simply wanting faster processing or having travel plans is not sufficient. You must demonstrate that the delay would cause severe financial loss, emergency situation, or other compelling circumstances beyond normal inconvenience.
Severe Financial Loss Examples
Qualifying Financial Loss Situations
- Loss of critical employment authorization
- Delay causing significant business losses
- Time-sensitive business opportunities
- Inability to complete time-sensitive transactions
- Loss of job offers due to processing delays
- Substantial financial commitments at risk
- Critical contract deadlines that cannot be met
Documentation Required
- • Detailed financial projections showing specific losses
- • Business contracts or agreements with deadlines
- • Employer letters confirming job offer withdrawal risks
- • Financial statements demonstrating business impact
- • Third-party confirmations of time-sensitive opportunities
Emergency and Humanitarian Situations
Qualifying Emergency Situations
- Serious illness or medical emergency of family member
- Death of family member requiring travel
- Critical medical treatment requiring presence
- Urgent travel for family emergencies
- Protection from persecution or violence
- Urgent need for travel document for medical care
- Emergency relocation due to natural disasters or violence
Medical Emergency Documentation
- • Doctor's letter explaining urgency
- • Medical records showing condition
- • Hospital treatment schedules
- • Specialist referral letters
- • Insurance authorization requirements
Family Emergency Evidence
- • Death certificates and funeral arrangements
- • Hospital admission records
- • Family relationship documentation
- • Travel booking confirmations
- • Letters from medical providers
Eligible Applications
Applications Eligible for Expedite Requests
- Form I-129 (Nonimmigrant Worker)
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Worker)
- Form I-130 (Family-based Petition)
- Form I-131 (Travel Document)
- Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
- Form I-765 (Work Authorization)
- Form N-400 (Naturalization)
- Form I-90 (Green Card Replacement)
- Form I-751 (Remove Conditions)
- Form I-829 (Remove Conditions EB-5)
Limitations
- • Not all USCIS forms are eligible for expedite processing
- • Some forms have separate premium processing options
- • Expedite availability may vary by service center
- • Certain case types may have different criteria
Request Process
Expedite Request Process
Document Emergency
Gather comprehensive evidence documenting the emergency or urgent situation
Contact USCIS
Call USCIS customer service or submit online expedite request through case status page
Submit Evidence
Provide all supporting documentation for expedite criteria within requested timeframe
Follow Up
Monitor case status and respond promptly to any additional evidence requests
Decision Review
Review expedite decision and pursue additional options if denied
Contact Methods for Expedite Requests
- USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283
- Online case status inquiry with expedite request
- Written request by mail to processing facility
- Attorney or representative can submit on behalf
- Emergency situations may require immediate phone contact
Supporting Documentation
Required Supporting Evidence
- Medical records and doctor's letters (for medical emergencies)
- Death certificates (for family emergencies)
- Employer letters detailing financial loss
- Business financial statements and projections
- Job offer letters with start dates
- Travel itineraries and booking confirmations
- Hospital or medical facility communications
- Legal documents showing time-sensitive deadlines
- Military deployment orders (for DoD situations)
- IRS determination letters (for nonprofit organizations)
- Court orders requiring immediate compliance
Evidence Best Practices
- • Provide original documents or certified copies when possible
- • Include certified English translations for foreign documents
- • Organize documents chronologically with cover letter
- • Include detailed personal statement explaining emergency
- • Submit all evidence together - avoid piecemeal submissions
- • Keep copies of all documents for your records
Processing Timelines
Expected Processing Times
- Initial response: 5-7 business days typically
- Evidence submission deadline: Usually 5-7 days
- Final decision: 7-30 days after evidence submission
- Emergency cases: May receive same-day or next-day review
- Complex cases: May require additional time for review
If Request is Approved
- • Case moves to front of processing queue
- • Significantly reduced processing time
- • May receive decision within days or weeks
- • Regular case status updates provided
If Request is Denied
- • Case continues with normal processing timeline
- • Can resubmit with additional evidence
- • New emergency may justify new expedite request
- • Consider alternative options (premium processing, etc.)
Special Situations
Department of Defense/Military Cases
- • Deployment orders requiring immediate family travel
- • Critical military operations requiring personnel
- • Base closure or relocation requirements
- • National security or defense contractor needs
- • Include official military documentation with request
Nonprofit Organization Requests
- • Must have IRS designation as 501(c)(3) organization
- • Request must further cultural/social interests of United States
- • Include IRS determination letter with request
- • Demonstrate how delay harms organization's mission
- • Provide detailed explanation of public benefit
USCIS Error Cases
- • Lost or misfiled applications requiring reconstruction
- • Processing errors causing significant delays
- • Data entry mistakes affecting case adjudication
- • Include documentation proving USCIS error
- • May not require meeting other expedite criteria
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Request Preparation Mistakes
- • Insufficient evidence to support expedite criteria
- • Vague explanations without specific details
- • Missing supporting documentation
- • Failing to demonstrate urgency clearly
- • Submitting requests for convenience rather than emergency
Procedural Mistakes
- • Not responding to evidence requests within deadline
- • Submitting multiple expedite requests without new evidence
- • Failing to follow up on request status
- • Not providing accurate contact information
- • Submitting false or misleading information
Alternative Options
Premium Processing Service
Available for certain forms (I-129, I-140) with guaranteed 15-day processing for additional fee.
- • I-129 Premium Processing: $2,805 (2025)
- • I-140 Premium Processing: $2,805 (2025)
- • Guaranteed processing timeline with refund if exceeded
Case Inquiry Options
- • Case inquiry if outside normal processing times
- • Congressional inquiry through representative's office
- • Ombudsman assistance for systemic processing issues
- • Legal action (mandamus) for unreasonable delays
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does USCIS take to respond to expedite requests?
USCIS typically responds within 5-7 business days to acknowledge the request and may ask for additional evidence. Final decisions usually come within 7-30 days after all evidence is submitted.
Can I request expedite processing more than once?
Yes, but you should have new evidence or changed circumstances. Repeated requests with the same information are unlikely to succeed and may delay regular processing.
Does requesting expedite processing affect my case outcome?
No, expedite requests only affect processing timeline, not the merits of your case. However, providing false information in expedite requests could negatively impact your case.
What if my emergency develops after filing my application?
You can submit an expedite request at any time during case processing when qualifying emergencies arise, even if they occur after your initial application submission.
Emergency Contact Information
For true emergencies requiring immediate attention, contact USCIS through multiple channels and clearly identify the emergency nature of your situation.
Immediate Contact Options:
- • USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283
- • TTY (deaf/hard of hearing): 1-800-767-1833
- • Online case inquiry system
- • Attorney or representative submission
Required Information:
- • Receipt number of pending application
- • Nature of emergency clearly explained
- • Contact information for follow-up
- • Supporting evidence immediately available