Discuss tracyo's OPT USCIS Case

its been 84 days and they sent me an email telling me that my case was still under Initial review I don't even know how to take that? does that mean that i would be at least another 30 days or where are they at in the process? Pls anyone have advice on this? Its for OPT only

Hi tracyo,

Can you please let me know how you raised an expedited request and what details you've provide to expedite the process. My application received date is 02 Nov 2015 and I didn't receive any update as of now.

Thanks

I contacted my local congresswoman's office. She asked me to sent over my documents and sign a form giving her permission to expedite. I sent over a One-page letter of why I want to expedite and explained my situation in the letter. I also sent over a letter from my employer.She sent it to them for expedition on my behalf and i received an update today that my card was being produced.

tracyo : what is the format of letter you sent to your congress woman , what the way you explained your situation .

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
P.O. BOX 82521
NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER
LINCOLN, NE 68501
Reason: Expedite request
Receipt Number: LIN169020*****
To whom it may concern,
My name is XXXXX. I was a student at the University of XXXXX. I graduated last December. I am currently on an F-1 student visa. I double majored in X. My OPT application was received on the 23rd of November 2015 and I have received my confirmation by mail.
I am writing to have my OPT process expedited .I have been able to secure the position of a X with X. I was required by my employer to start on the 1st of February 2016. I was unable to start because I had not received my OPT yet. I have informed my employer that I would not be able to start until my OPT is approved and received in the mail. They are willing to wait for me with the hope that my OPT would be approved as soon as possible. They have been very patient with me and I know that they require this position filled immediately. I believe there is would be significant financial loss to myself and my employer if I am unable to start work.
I would appreciate it if my OPT was expedited .The letter from my employer as proof of employment has been emailed with this letter. Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

make sure you call your congressperson's office first ok

Hi tracyo :

I need your help in contacting congress man office , currently i am in XXX location where when i was applying for OPT i am in YYY location . So the question now is should i contact the congress man office of XXX location or YYY location ?

can you please let me know ,,

where is your official address. You should contact the congress person for your address because you have to be in her constituency for them to assist with your case

@tracyo: Was your case under review when your congresswoman requested for expedition? My congressman requested today but they were told that the case is under review and there is no point to expedite? Actually, my case has been under review for more than two weeks based on the responses to my SRs. The receipt date of my case is Nov. 5. I do not know what to do or how to get my case expedited. Any help is appreciated

I'm not sure what you should do honestly, My case was not under review or anything it was just in the Initial stage.

@Tsaan,

I also got a reply for a recent SR saying "Your case is currently under review by an officer". May I know how much time did it take for you to get the card after this status(in a SR)? My file received date is Nov 2.

When did your status change to card mailed

Card has been mailed to you on Feb 19. Received tracking number on the 22nd(had to call for it), It came on the 23rd.

Hi tracyo, I contacted the congressman and they got a reply from USCIS saying that my application is forwarded to I-765 unit so the expedited processing request may be considered.

Did you get a similar reply?

What are your thoughts? How much time do you think it might take from now?

Yes that was what the congress woman's office told me before mine was expedited. But ultimately it would fall on them to decide to expedite or not. If they do then you would probably be approved in a week. Since it is the congress person requesting the expedite I would think that they would be more inclined to expedite your case.

Thanks for the quick response. Two quick questions.

i) You approached the congressperson before it was 90 days. Is it correct?

ii) Did you receive a mail saying that your case is being expedited OR did the status directly changed from 'case received' to 'case approved'?

I contacted the congresswoman before 90 days telling her that I have a job offer and would like my case to be expediated.
They did not send a letter that my case was being expedited but what happens is that after 75 days you can ask to know exactly where you case is in the process. I asked on the 82nd Day or so and they told me that my case is has been pulled by an officer and is currently under review.

thankyou tracyo!