Discuss OptintoOPT's OPT USCIS Case

Hi,

Can you let me know, if you got a letter from your employer for your expedite request? Thanks.

HI,

No I did not use a letter from my employer. I first put in an expedite request over the phone which was denied and I received a reason which I felt was incorrect and did not apply to my case. So I visited the field office and they put in another expedite request and I had to mail some evidence of financial loss. Bank statements, expenses, pay stubs etc and a letter written by me.

Hi,

Do you simply send evidence to VSC with your receipt number? Thanks

Faxed it to VSC with receipt number and referral number. They requested it.

Would you please provide me with the fax number because my case is denied, but i did not received any email/ mail from them. Many thanks.

Hi,

Congrats!
Can you please tell some of the points you stressed in the letter you wrote?
Also, how much does it help to visit the field office?

Thanks

@tytoon

I believe VSC has a few different fax numbers. I don't think they will consider any evidence you send unless they request for it. If you were denied, try going to the field office and explaining your situation. The field Officers have more authority and if they put in an expedite request, VSC is likely to take it more seriously.

@nchetan

My letter was very straight to the point,

1) I explained that I was living off the income from my current position(full time CPT) along with pay stubs for proof
2) I showed them evidence of loans taken out by me and that I needed to pay them back.
3) I also pointed out that my health insurance needed to be renewed, and showed them a termination reminder email from my insurance provider.
4) Expenses for Rent + Utilities/Groceries etc. Did not sent them any bills but gave them a rough estimate of how much I spend in a month.
5) My bank statements.

Thats about it, I told them I wouldn't be able to afford my bills here unless I was approved to continue working at my current position.

The visit to field office helped me lot. The officer there heard what I had to say and did what he could to help me. I believe the officers will not put in an expedite request unless they are convinced by your situation, Whereas a customer service rep would take your info and put in a request right away. I guess this is part of the reason why Service centers take requests from field officers more seriously.

Hope this helps and Good Luck on your Applications!!

Thanks. Did you make an appointment on INFOPASS for filed office visit?

Yup.

@optintoopt thank you so much for your detailed reply. I hope I get my opt processed soon like you. I have a job offer pending EAD.

Hi @OptintoOPT, did you pay a visit to your local field office or the office that's processing your case?

Thanks

I went to my local field office.

I just received an email today from them. It says

"We reviewed your case, but we need additional information and/or documents before we can make a determination on whether your request meets the expeditious processing guidelines.

We need the following information and/or documents:
Please fax documentation to support your request for expeditious handling (such as a copy of the employment offer letter)"

Does this mean they will expedite with the offer letter?

@nchetan,

I guess so. When did you request the expedite?

@tytyoon

i hope i get the letter soon.
i requested yesterday.

@ nchetan

Hope you will get your approval soon. Did you make a request over the phone?

@tytyoon

Thank you, buddy! I hope the same. :)
Pretty nervous here.

Did you receive any updates about your application?

@ nchetan

Not yet. I need my EAD card to start working. I am afraid losing job offer if I cannot get my EAD card on time. Anyway, good luck!

@tytyoon

We're in the same boat. Thanks and good luck, buddy !

@nchetan

They will expedite as long as you can prove you fall under one of the categories. I guess you chose severe financial loss like me. So make sure you provide documents proving why you are at loss.

@OptintoOPT

That sounds right. I have chosen the same category. Let's wait and watch.
*fingers crossed*

@OptintoOPT

can you please share with me how can you make the infopass appointment if your case is not 90 days yet?

@Jianguo

I used the "Case Processing Appointment" option since I felt I received a response from USCIS which I felt to be incorrect.

any update of the tracking number? Is the status mailed or not now?

@OptintoOPT

Thank you for your information. I visited my local office and get denied again. Is it possible that you can share with us how you convinced immigration officer to expedite your case? Also do you mind share more information regarding your case? My application was received on Nov.3rd, and my job and OPT start date is Jan. 1st. The officer said my condition failed to met the severe financial loss standard.

@blueridge111

No update or tracking number yet. I'm hoping I receive it this week.

@Jianguo

My case is a little different because I was already working on full time CPT. The first time I applied over the phone under "Requesting agency has Non Profit Status and for financial loss" they denied stating "that a pending employment offer or start date does not qualify under USCIS criteria". So I visited the field office to explain that I've been employed for over six months and I showed him evidence that I use the income from this job to survive in the US. He glance through my pay stubs etc and put it an expedite request. While this was happening he referred to some details with an officer in the next cabin who went " Well everybody wants to have the application expedited ". I felt she was also being rude to someone who's case she was reviewing.

@OptintoOPT
I'm waiting for the card too. No status update since Dec 16th. Just hope they skip the "mailed" status update and directly jump to "delivered" status. Hope the card can be delivered before Christmas as a holiday gift.

Hey, when you submit your evidence to USCIS, did your online status change to "Correspondence Was Received And USCIS Is Reviewing It" Thanks.

Yes, it did

@tytyoon

After I submitted my evidence, there was no change in status for a day and they approved it the following day. so went straight to approved.