General policyPOLICY UPDATE
Clarifying Expedite Requests
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how USCIS considers expedite requests related to government interests and requests related to emergencies and urgent humanitarian situations. This update also clarifies how to make an expedite request and explains how USCIS processes expedite requests.
Effective date and application
This update, contained in Volume 1 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately
Key changes
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how USCIS considers expedite requests related to government interests and requests related to emergencies and urgent humanitarian situations. This update also clarifies how to make an expedite request and explains how USCIS processes expedite requests.
- Clarifies government interests-based requests, including that when an expedite request is made by a federal government agency or department, USCIS generally defers to that agency or department’s assessment.
- Explains that USCIS may expedite adjudication of an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131) when an applicant demonstrates a pressing or critical need to leave the United States, whether the need to travel relates to a planned or unplanned event.
- Clarifies when USCIS may consider an expedite request based on clear USCIS error.
- Explains how to make an expedite request and clarifies how USCIS processes expedite requests.
