How can I speed up my Immigration Case?

One of the most common questions I am asked is "How can I speed up my case?" This makes sense. No one wants to put their life on hold for many months while waiting for the government to make a decision on their case. Here in South Dakota, we pride ourselves on efficiency. Everything is done on schedule. I watch the farmers plow and plant their fields on a regular schedule. I watch the hunters appear in their orange and camouflage at the same time every year. When I travel to Fargo, summer clothes are quickly replaced with hats and coats as the cold creeps in. With the changing seasons, we all follow patterns of action. So nobody wants to sit ideally by waiting for a government agency to act. But are there any effective ways to speed up my case? There are a few options.

First, if you want your case to move fast, and get a quick approval, file it right from the beginning. Any mistakes will only cause delays. This is where experience counts. You have to know what USCIS wants to see, and make sure you file the correct evidence from the beginning. In the past, clients would bring me a big box of documents to dig through and pick out what to utilize. In this more technological age, I can send you a list and you can quickly upload everything into your portal. This makes things not only more efficient for me but easier for you as well. Once filed, we can be assured that USCIS will be able to quickly review your case.

Second, be sure to attend all appointments on time. Do not ask to reschedule. Make your immigration case a priority in your life. Asking to reschedule will only cause a delay. I have personally seen people ask to reschedule an interview, and a year later they were still waiting for it to be rescheduled. So, when you get your biometrics appointment notice, take the time off work or move around your activities, to make sure you can attend. It is usually just a very quick appointment.

Third, if you do receive a request for evidence, work with your attorney to answer as soon as possible. Even though USCIS will usually give you plenty of time to respond, you want to be on top of it and get it done. Determine what additional evidence USCIS wants to see and respond quickly.

Fourth, if you have a serious reason, consider making an expedite request. USCIS, the National Visa Center (NVC), and the Embassies/Consulates will allow you to make expedite requests for serious reasons. These are typically made for emergency and urgent humanitarian reasons. For example, a serious health condition, needing urgent care, can be an emergency. We can also make expedite requests for serious financial reasons. For example, you are struggling to care for your family and have a job offer, but you need your work permit to accept the position. With USCIS, the initial expedite request is made via a phone call to USCIS, so it is important to be prepared before calling. Give clear and concise reasons, so that you have the best chance of seeing the request moved to the next step. If it is initially accepted, you will usually be allowed to send in evidence, so it is important to be prepared. If you are making a request based on a health reason, have doctor's letters ready to send. If you are making a request based on a job offer, have a letter from your prospective employee. In general though, expedite requests are not very successful, so it is important not to make plans based on the approval of an expedite request. Also, they are not immediate. They also take time to be approved. So, do not expect an immediate decision.

Nobody likes to wait, but sometimes we do not have a choice. Just like with winter, sometimes we just have to wait for the spring. With all my cases, I am always monitoring the processing times, and keeping in touch with clients. Nothing is ever set in stone. Sometimes processing times improve and other times they get worse. That is why I never want my clients to make permanent plans until the case is approved. Rest assured though, I will be with you every step of the way, and we will do everything we can to see your case approved as soon as possible.