The National Visa Center (NVC) is an official government organization that processes immigrant visa applications. They are responsible for collecting the required paperwork and documentation.
Depending on the country of origin, wait times for an immigrant visa can be long—months or even years in some cases.
Fortunately, you can file an NVC expedited request. Expedited immigrant visa processing can help reduce the wait time for your visa.
Read on to learn more.
What Is an NVC Expedite Request?
This is simply a request for the National Visa Center to speed up the processing of your immigrant visa application. The NVC will only approve expedite requests in certain circumstances.
An approved expedite request means that the NVC will prioritize processing an immigrant visa application.
What are the circumstances under which the NVC will approve an expedite request?
The NVC will only approve expedite requests in certain circumstances. These circumstances include the following:
- There is a medical emergency involving a derivative applicant
- There is a severe financial loss to the applicant or derivative applicant
- An adoptive parent is scheduled to travel within 4 weeks to finalize the adoption of a child from another country
- An Employer needs an immigrant worker to begin employment within 4 weeks due to unexpected or extraordinary circumstances related to business closures, natural disasters
- Humanitarian reasons
- Compelling interest of the U.S. government
Documentation required as part of an expedite request includes but is not limited to:
- A doctor’s letter describing that a life or death medical emergency exists
- A death certificate
- A letter from your employer explaining the circumstances that warrant an expedite. It should also indicate how not having an immigrant visa will impact the company.
- Any other documentation that supports your request
How Do I File an NVC Expedite Request?
If you believe that you have a valid reason for the NVC to expedite your case, submit a written request to the center.
Your request must include supporting documentation and evidence. Give contact information as well so that the NVC can reach you if they have any questions.
You can find instructions for submitting an expedite request on the NVC website.
What Happens After the NVC Receives Your Expedite Request?
Once the NVC has received the necessary documentation, they will review your case. They will check if it meets their criteria for expedited processing.
If they determine that your case does not meet their criteria, it will continue to be processed in the order it was received.
However, if they approve your expedite request, they will notify you and the U.S. embassy or consulate where you must apply for your visa about their decision.
What if My Expedite Request is Denied?
If your expedite request is denied, you can resubmit another request with new or additional information.
For example, if you originally submitted an expedite request because you were adopted and the adoption was less than two years old, but your adoption was more than two years ago at the time of resubmission, you could submit additional information about why your case should still be considered for expedited processing.
Remember that each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Even if your original request was denied, there is still a chance that your subsequent request could be approved.
There is no guarantee that your NVC expedite request will be granted. But it is worth a try if you are experiencing undue delays in processing.
For more information about how to file an NVC expedite request or need help regarding immigration services, consult an immigration attorney.
How Immigration Attorneys Can Help with an NVC Expedite Request
Filing an expedite request can be complicated and time-consuming.
An immigration attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to prove your emergency and increase your chances of granting your request.
An attorney can also help if your request has been denied. If you believe that the NVC made a mistake in its decision, you can file an appeal with USCIS. Your immigration lawyer can help you gather the necessary documentation to make your case. And this can give you the best chance of having your appeal approved.
Final Thoughts
The National Visa Center (NVC) is responsible for collecting, reviewing, and distributing petition paperwork and fees to diplomatic posts.
After the U.S. Department of State receives an approved immigrant visa petition from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it sends a case number and processing fee bill to the NVC. The NVC then schedules an interview appointment for the applicant at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Under certain circumstances, you may request expedited processing of your case. But you must submit proof that your case needs to be processed more quickly than usual.
You may be able to gather the necessary documentation and file the request yourself. However, if you are dealing with a complex situation or your request has been denied, consult with an experienced immigration attorney. They can help navigate the process and give you the best chance of getting your request granted.