How to expedite the I-601

[cowboyeast]

Form I-601 Expedite Requests:

1. All requests to expedite must be in writing and should include the language “I-601 Expedite Request” in the subject line of the email request.

2. All requests to expedite will be reviewed within 5 business days of receipt of the request and, if the decision is to approve the request to expedite, the applicant will be notified within 10 business days of receipt of the request.

3. If the applicant does not receive a response to his/her request to expedite within 15 days from the date of notice of receipt of the request, the request to expedite may be presumed to be denied.

4. Criteria: The types of extraordinary circumstances which may merit expedited processing are those involving time-sensitive and compelling situations that necessitate an applicant’s presence in the United States sooner than would be possible if the application were processed under normal processing times. The strong desire to immigrate to the United States as soon as possible is not by itself “extraordinary.” Request must include sufficient evidence to support the claimed need for expedited processing. For additional information please see the USICS policy memorandum at: Memorandum to USCIS

5. Please be aware that approval to expedite adjudication of an I-601 waiver application does not guarantee approval of the I-601 waiver application, but only that consideration and adjudication of the I-601 waiver application will be expeditiously handled.

[AvilesW]

If you email an expedite how do you include evidence?

[Tropical]

If you email an expedite how do you include evidence?

Scan and attach it.

[Cakelette2345]

Question... if we want to expedite the whole process, can we do the request attached to the I-130 from the very beginning in the process?

Thank you all.

[cupcake]

Usually each expedite has to be requested separately.

USCIS processes the I-130, but this is not the same branch that adjudicates waivers. Their expedite standards may not be the same or approached the same way as USCIS who adjudicates I-601 waivers.

If the expedite is approved and the I-130 is approved, it will go much more quickly to the NVC, but usually another separate request has to be sent to the NVC. The NVC is a different government entity than USCIS though they work together, the expedite request that you sent with USCIS was for a different petition. Expediting through the NVC is a little bit trickier than dealing with USCIS because most everything is electronic and a lot of the adjudication time depends on how quickly you complete everything and if your case gets a RFE.

The visa interview expedite may be able to take place with the NVC paperwork or you may be directed to submit a request to the consulate.

Another separate request has to be submitted to USCIS again for the I-601 waiver.