USCIS Expedite Request Guide for Riverside County Residents
How to request faster processing of your immigration application in emergency situations
Quick Answer
When facing urgent circumstances, waiting months or years for USCIS to process your immigration application may not be an option. USCIS offers expedite processing for cases that meet certain emergency criteria. SoCal Immigration Services helps Riverside County residents understand when and how to request expedited processing.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
When facing urgent circumstances, waiting months or years for USCIS to process your immigration application may not be an option. USCIS offers expedite processing for cases that meet certain emergency criteria. SoCal Immigration Services helps Riverside County residents understand when and how to request expedited processing.
What is an Expedite Request?
Important: Expedite requests are NOT routine. They are reserved for genuine emergencies and situations where delayed processing would cause severe harm. Simply wanting your case processed faster is not grounds for an expedite.
USCIS Expedite Criteria
- •Severe financial loss to a company or person
- •Urgent humanitarian reasons
- •Nonprofit organization whose request is in furtherance of U.S. cultural or social interests
- •U.S. government interests (urgent cases for government agencies)
- •Emergency situation (medical, safety, security)
- •USCIS error causing the delay
Qualifying Emergency Situations
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Emergency | Serious illness requiring treatment, dying family member abroad |
| Financial Loss | Job offer expiring, business contract deadline, loss of employment |
| Humanitarian | Domestic violence victim, serious harm if returned to home country |
| Family Emergency | Death or serious illness of close family member |
| U.S. Government Need | Military deployment, federal job requiring clearance |
| USCIS Error | Lost documents, processing mistakes, unreasonable delays |
Applications That Can Be Expedited
- •I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- •I-131 Travel Document (Advance Parole)
- •I-485 Adjustment of Status
- •I-130 Family Petition
- •I-140 Employment-Based Petition
- •N-400 Naturalization
- •I-90 Green Card Renewal
- •I-751 Removal of Conditions
- •I-589 Asylum Application
How to Submit an Expedite Request
- 1Gather Evidence
Collect all documentation supporting your emergency situation before making your request.
- 2Contact USCIS
Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 to submit your expedite request verbally, or submit through your online account.
- 3Explain Your Situation
Clearly state which expedite criterion applies and why your situation meets that criterion.
- 4Submit Documentation
Be prepared to submit supporting evidence to the service center processing your case.
- 5Follow Up
Monitor your case status and be prepared to provide additional evidence if requested.
Evidence Needed for Expedite Requests
| Expedite Reason | Required Evidence |
|---|---|
| Medical Emergency | Doctor's letter, medical records, hospital documentation |
| Financial Loss | Job offer letter with deadline, termination notice, business contracts |
| Family Emergency | Death certificate, hospital records, doctor's statement |
| Humanitarian | Police reports, protective orders, country condition evidence |
| Job Loss | Termination letter, final paycheck, employer statement |
| Expiring Benefits | Current EAD/AP showing expiration, employer verification |
Tips for a Successful Expedite Request
- •Be specific about which USCIS expedite criterion your case meets
- •Provide clear, dated documentation from credible sources
- •Explain how the delay causes irreparable harm
- •Include a timeline showing urgency
- •Have a doctor, employer, or attorney provide supporting letters
- •Submit all evidence at once - don't send in pieces
- •Be truthful - false claims can result in denial and other consequences
- •Follow up regularly but professionally
EAD Expedite Requests
• Job Offer: Provide the offer letter showing a start date and employer statement confirming they cannot wait
• Job Loss: Show termination notice and explain financial hardship
• Medical Insurance: Document that you'll lose health coverage without employment
• Financial Hardship: Provide bank statements, bills, eviction notices showing urgent need
• Current EAD Expiring: If your renewal is pending and current EAD expires soon, this may qualify
Advance Parole Expedite Requests
• Medical Emergency Abroad: Family member seriously ill or dying
• Death of Family Member: Need to attend funeral or handle estate
• Business Emergency: Critical business need requiring international travel
• Humanitarian Parole: Already granted humanitarian parole requiring urgent travel
Provide documentation such as death certificates, hospital records, or doctor's letters confirming the emergency.
What Happens After Submitting?
• Review Period: USCIS reviews your request and supporting evidence
• Additional Evidence: You may be asked to provide more documentation
• Decision: USCIS will approve or deny your expedite request
• If Approved: Your case moves to the front of the queue for faster processing
• If Denied: You can submit a new request with additional evidence
• Timeline: Decisions on expedite requests are typically made within a few weeks
Congressional Assistance
• Contact Your Representative: Your U.S. Representative or Senator can inquire about your case
• What They Can Do: Congressional offices can request status updates and ask USCIS to prioritize
• Documentation: Provide your congressional office with your receipt numbers and case details
• Not Guaranteed: Congressional inquiries don't guarantee approval but can help move cases forward
USCIS Ombudsman
• What They Do: The Ombudsman assists individuals with case problems that haven't been resolved through normal channels
• When to Contact: After trying expedite requests and congressional assistance without success
• How to Contact: Submit a case assistance request through the DHS website
• Limitations: The Ombudsman cannot guarantee specific outcomes but can facilitate communication
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:How long does it take USCIS to respond to an expedite request?
A: USCIS typically responds to expedite requests within 5-7 business days, though it can take longer. The response may be an approval, denial, or request for additional evidence. If approved, your case will be prioritized but may still take additional weeks to complete.
Q:Is there a fee to request expedited processing?
A: No, there is no fee to submit an expedite request to USCIS. However, premium processing (a separate paid service available for certain petitions like I-140) guarantees a 15-business-day response and has a substantial fee.
Q:Can I submit an expedite request if my case is within normal processing times?
A: Yes, if you meet one of the expedite criteria, you can request an expedite even if your case is within normal processing times. The expedite criteria focus on your personal circumstances, not just processing delays.
Q:What if my expedite request is denied?
A: If denied, you can submit a new expedite request with additional or stronger evidence. You can also seek congressional assistance or contact the USCIS Ombudsman. Review the denial reason carefully and address any deficiencies.
Q:Can an attorney help with my expedite request?
A: Yes, an immigration attorney can help craft a compelling expedite request, gather appropriate evidence, and communicate with USCIS on your behalf. Professional assistance often increases the chances of approval.
Q:Does USCIS approve expedite requests for financial hardship alone?
A: Financial hardship can qualify, but it must be severe. Simply being inconvenienced is not enough. You need to show that without expedited processing, you would face serious financial consequences like losing your job, home, or ability to pay for essential needs.
Need Help with an Urgent Immigration Case?
Our team helps Riverside County residents prepare strong expedite requests when facing genuine emergencies. We understand the criteria and evidence needed for approval.