Regulatory Information
VSC Changes Expedite and Service Error Correction Procedures
As of November 1, 2007, the Vermont Service Center (VSC) will no longer accept expedite requests or service errors via fax. The fax number currently used for expedite requests (802.527.4816) will be disabled.
All customers or their representatives needing to request an expedite will be required to call the National Customer Service Center at 1.800.375.5283. If the call center representative deems the request for an expedite falls within the scope of the established expedite criteria, an electronic referral will be sent to the VSC. The VSC will prioritize these “expedite request” referrals, make a determination if the expedite request is warranted and work them within five calendar days. If additional documentation is needed to support the expedite request, the VSC will contact the customer or their representative directly. Please be sure to provide the call center with the most up-to-date contact information so that VSC can easily reach you if the need arises. The final decision on the expedite request will be communicated by mail and should be received within 10 business days of the initial phone call.
In addition, all service errors previously sent to VSC via the fax line will now need to be sent to the VSC by mail (75 Lower Welden Street, Saint Albans, VT 05479) or by contacting the National Customer Service Center and asking for a service errors referral. VSC explains that the changes are being made to streamline the current expedite process and enable VSC to make decisions in a more timely and efficient manner.
At this point, the other three Service Centers do not plan to change their expedite processes. Please refer to the USCIS Service Centers Contact Information in NAFSA's Resources For Immigration-Related Cases for contact information and expedite processes for individual Service Centers.
Practice tip: Only applicants/petitioners may request expedite on an application.
When contacting the NCSC to request expedite, be sure to clarify under which of the following categories listed on the USCIS Expedite Criteria Web page you qualify for expedite:
All customers or their representatives needing to request an expedite will be required to call the National Customer Service Center at 1.800.375.5283. If the call center representative deems the request for an expedite falls within the scope of the established expedite criteria, an electronic referral will be sent to the VSC. The VSC will prioritize these “expedite request” referrals, make a determination if the expedite request is warranted and work them within five calendar days. If additional documentation is needed to support the expedite request, the VSC will contact the customer or their representative directly. Please be sure to provide the call center with the most up-to-date contact information so that VSC can easily reach you if the need arises. The final decision on the expedite request will be communicated by mail and should be received within 10 business days of the initial phone call.
In addition, all service errors previously sent to VSC via the fax line will now need to be sent to the VSC by mail (75 Lower Welden Street, Saint Albans, VT 05479) or by contacting the National Customer Service Center and asking for a service errors referral. VSC explains that the changes are being made to streamline the current expedite process and enable VSC to make decisions in a more timely and efficient manner.
At this point, the other three Service Centers do not plan to change their expedite processes. Please refer to the USCIS Service Centers Contact Information in NAFSA's Resources For Immigration-Related Cases for contact information and expedite processes for individual Service Centers.
Practice tip: Only applicants/petitioners may request expedite on an application.
When contacting the NCSC to request expedite, be sure to clarify under which of the following categories listed on the USCIS Expedite Criteria Web page you qualify for expedite:
- Severe financial loss to company or individual
- Extreme emergent situation
- Humanitarian situation
- Nonprofit status of requesting organization in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States
- Department of Defense of National Interest Situation (Note: Request must come from official United States Government entity and state that delay will be detrimental to our government)
- USCIS error
- Compelling interest of USCIS
