VSC New Procedures on Expedite Requests
Posted Oct 26, 2007
©MurthyDotCom
As of November 1, 2007, the Vermont Service Center (VSC) will begin administering a new screening process for all requests to expedite. The VSC will stop accepting requests to expedite cases transmitted via facsimile (fax). Instead, requests will be routed by telephone through the National Customer Service Center at their toll-free number, 1.800.375.5283.
©MurthyDotCom
Expedite Process Referral by Customer Service to VSC
©MurthyDotCom
Customers and their representatives will be required to call the National Customer Service Center to make their requests. A customer service representative will make an electronic referral to the VSC only if s/he determines that the request for expedited processing meets the established expedite criteria. After that, the VSC will prioritize all requests based on the determination as to whether expedited processing is warranted. The VSC has indicated that all requests will be processed within five days. If any additional information is needed, the VSC will contact customers and their representatives directly. A decision on the case with an accepted request to expedite should be made within ten days after the initial call.
©MurthyDotCom
Criteria to Request Expedite
©MurthyDotCom
As indicated above, the expedite request must fit within the expedite criteria. It is not possible to obtain more prompt action on a case without strong justification. The criteria are as follows.
©MurthyDotCom
Humanitarian Situation  
The example given is when a U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitions for a relative who is requiring medical treatment or other special care, or when there is a minor child who lacks appropriate supervision or security. A visa number must be available in order for this request to be granted.
©MurthyDotCom
Extreme Emergent or Unforeseen Circumstances  
This needs to be an emergency that is of no fault of the person requesting expedited treatment. The example provided is a circumstance in which there is an approved nonimmigrant petition for a member of the arts or other performer, who then falls ill and needs to be replaced quickly.
©MurthyDotCom
Severe Financial Loss to Company or Individual  
For this, it is necessary to show that the failure to adjudicate the petition within specific timeframes would cause severe financial harm or loss to a U.S. entity and that no other remedy exists. It should be noted that one cannot expect to use this ground simply because s/he has planned poorly and has not allowed for normal processing times.
©MurthyDotCom
Service Error  
This covers a situation in which the USCIS has made an error in the case that has delayed the receipt of an immigration benefit.
©MurthyDotCom
Department of Defense or National Interest  
This requires a request from an official U.S. government entity, stating that the delay will be detrimental to our government.
©MurthyDotCom
Advancement of U.S. Cultural and Social Interests  
Expedited treatment is also possible based upon the nonprofit status of the organization seeking to further the cultural and social interests of the United States.
©MurthyDotCom
Conclusion
©MurthyDotCom
This new policy of no longer accepting direct faxes by the VSC could result in delays. With the fax number, it was possible to explain the request in writing. It will now be necessary to explain the situation to a customer service representative over the telephone. The new system hopefully will improve the time and service, since any request for an expedite should be a truly deserving case. It is important that this expedite process should be used sparingly, and only in those cases that fit the criteria. Overtaxing the system with frivolous requests only leads to more and more restrictions.