Immigration Insights
Emergency circumstances, humanitarian crises, and federal agency recommendations are all legitimate reasons to request an expedited immigrant visa interview to enter the United States. However, requesting an expedited immigrant visa interview requires diligence.
While each consulate and embassy worldwide will vary slightly regarding required forms and fees, there are some general guidelines to consider when requesting an expedited visa interview.
What You Know Before You Get Started
Before requesting an expedited interview:
- Check visa appointment wait times to determine whether expediting your interview is necessary.
- Pay visa fees and have documentary evidence proving the need for the interview (more below).
- Do not request a specific interview date or time (although you can provide scheduling constraints).
- Be aware that if you were previously given an interview appointment and were refused a visa, you will not be allowed to schedule another expedited interview.
Strategies for Expediting Immigrant Visa Processing at United States Consulates and Embassies Abroad
While each consulate or embassy has specific forms, fees, and guidelines, there are general strategies that can help move visa processing along at any consulate or embassy location worldwide.
- Apply as early as possible. Submit your application and all supporting documents as far out as possible from your intended travel date. The consulate or embassy needs enough time to process your application and schedule an interview.
- Promptly schedule your interview. As soon as you receive a notice to schedule an interview, do so quickly. Consulates and embassies have limited appointment times, so scheduling immediately can help secure an earlier date.
- Provide complete and accurate information. Ensure all forms are filled out correctly and completely and provide all required supporting documentation. Insufficient or inaccurate information can cause delays or even denial of a visa.
- Request an expedited interview. Some consulates and embassies allow applicants to request an expedited interview for an additional fee. This option may be available if you can provide a valid reason for needing to expedite the process (more information is below).
- Consider hiring an immigration lawyer. Immigration attorneys have the expertise to streamline the process and ensure each step is completed accurately and efficiently.
- Check for interview waiver options. Some applicants may be eligible for an interview waiver. This option is typically available for specific or previously issued visa categories.
- Be prepared for the interview. Thoroughly prepare for the interview by being ready to articulate the reason for your visa clearly and concisely. Make sure to bring all the necessary documents.
Qualifying Reasons for Expediting Immigrant Visa Interviews
Emergencies, humanitarian crises, and agency recommendations are potential qualifying reasons to expedite a visa interview. Let’s look closely at a few examples of qualifying reasons likely to be considered.
Requests are taken on a case-by-case basis, and there is no guarantee they will be granted. Expediting the interview process won’t always be possible and will depend partly on the policies or workload of each particular consulate and embassy.
Emergency Situations
- Urgent medical situation. If the visa applicant or an immediate family member has a life-threatening medical condition requiring urgent travel to the U.S. for treatment, this can qualify for an expedited interview. Documented evidence from medical professionals is necessary.
- Death of an immediate family member. In the event of the death of an immediate family member (spouse, child, parent, sibling) in the United States, applicants can request an expedited interview. A death certificate is typically required as evidence.
- Family reunification in exigent circumstances. These are cases where the visa applicant must urgently reunite with immediate family members due to situations such as a family member’s terminal illness, the death of a parent, or other extenuating circumstances.
- Natural disaster impact. This applies if the visa applicant’s home and/or livelihood was severely damaged due to a recent natural disaster, such as a weather event that forces urgent travel.
Humanitarian Reasons
- Safety/protection emergency. Applicants facing an imminent threat to their safety or life due to domestic abuse, political persecution, or other forms of harm in their home country may qualify.
- Refugee or asylum seekers. Those facing imminent threat of harm or persecution due to race, religion, nationality, or political opinion may qualify for an expedited interview.
- Victim of crime. Applicants who are victims of serious crime—such as human trafficking, domestic violence, or other forms of exploitation—may request an expedited interview on humanitarian grounds.
Agency Recommendations
- Request from U.S. law enforcement or other security agencies. If the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or others request an expedited visa interview for an applicant assisting in an investigation, criminal case, or matters of national security, this carries significant weight.
- U.S. government mission emergency. Members of the U.S. military, government employees, or their immediate families facing an emergency deployment, evacuation, or urgent reassignment orders to the U.S. may be eligible for an expedited interview.
- Inter-agency collaboration. Other agencies—like NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), etc.—may request expedited processing for applicants who are scientists, researchers, or technical experts needed to support inter-agency projects.
Documentation Requirements
Applicants must bring all original or certified copies of the required documents to the immigration visa interview. Failure to do so may result in delays or a denial of immigration visas.
- Appointment letter. The interview appointment letter you received from the National Visa Center (NVC)
- Valid passport. This must be valid for at least six months after the intended entry into the U.S.
- Photographs. Two identical color photographs, which must meet photo requirements
- DS-260 confirmation page. After submitting your DS-260 online, print it out
- Supporting documents. Original or certified copies of the civil documents uploaded to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC)
- English translations. Any documents not sent to NVC that require English translation must be brought to the interview
- Visa fees. Any outstanding fees must be paid
Documentation to Prove Need for Expedited Interview
Different documents will be required depending on the particular circumstance (whether an emergency, humanitarian, or government agency is the reason for your request). Below are some of the documents that may be required:
- Letter explaining the urgency. A detailed letter explaining the reasons and circumstances necessitating the expedited interview and the time-sensitive nature of the situation
- Evidence of medical emergency. If urgency is related to a medical crisis, provide detailed documentation from a licensed medical professional outlining the condition, prognosis, and reason why going to the United States is necessary and time-sensitive
- Original death certificate. If attending a funeral of an immediate family member in the United States
- Proof of relationship. Documents that prove your relationship to the ill or deceased, such as a birth or marriage certificate
- Evidence of threats/persecution. Documentation from authorities that proves imminent danger
- U.S. government documentation. Official documented orders may be required for military personnel, contractors, and U.S. government employees
Methods to Follow Up Effectively for Swifter Interview Scheduling and Visa Processing
To ensure you have the best chance for an expedited immigrant visa interview, consider the following:
- Hire an experienced immigration attorney to follow up with NVC or the embassy/consulate on your behalf.
- Submit a formal request to the NVC or embassy/consulate along with any supporting documentation to support your case—whether emergency, humanitarian, or recommended by a government agency.
- Contact the embassy or consulate to request an expedited interview.
- Be persistent yet polite whenever following up with the NVC.
- Be prepared with all necessary documents to avoid delays.
Contact Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C., today so we can move you through the immigration visa process as quickly and smoothly as possible.
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