Published by Mei in EB1 Green Card | Updated 2024
Here are a couple of ideas to speed up your Green Card application in 2024.
Premium Processing the EB-1 Green Card
The [Premium Processing] service is allowed for the EB-1 Green Card and O1 visa for an extra fee – it promises a response or your fee back. Anecdotally, if you submit your green card I-140 using the Premium Processing service there is a good chance that once approved on Part One your Part Two Adjustment of Status will be processed faster. This is not official but this has happened to people we know. We don’t recommend using the Premium Processing service on EB1 Green Cards ([Read here to find out why]) however this is a major benefit.
Contact USCIS
If you feel you are waiting an inordinate amount of time for your EB1 Green Card approval consider using this form that the USCIS have provided Outside Normal Processing Time. Check first processing times and historic data on each form before you submit this form.
Select fast Processing Centers
Some applicants that live on the west coast that have access to an east coast file using their east coast address in the hopes of faster processing. This can cause headaches – potentially missing receipt notices, delaying your responses etc. In our opinion not worth the stress. If a certain processing center is backlogged we have noticed that the USCIS tends to share cases to another processing Center, to ease the workload. You might end up delaying your application further rather than speeding it up.
US Citizen Letter
Respected US citizens can have sway on your approval. If waiting a long time for an approval some visa applicants ask their local US council person/senator to write a letter requesting a status update on their application. This can speed up the application process but we have heard numerous times that this has resulted in a denial. You can ask your government representative for a letter if you wish, we do however believe that it’s better you wait. These visas are complicated, usually accompanied with a lot of paperwork that are needed to be deliberated over by your examiner and you want them to take their time. Sometimes submitting a Senator letter can mean your application gets taken from your examiners pile and placed on the main officers desk. They may be tough on your case. If you are on a temporary visa it’s as good as a green card – use that time strategically to continue building on your extraordinary career to be prepared to refile if you get knocked back with a denial or a Request for Evidence RFE. Consider this as a last resource.
Submit a complete application
We have heard that many attorneys hold back some evidence in the chance that there may be a Request for Evidence RFE. It is our opinion that you should respect the examiners time and submit a full complete green card application. Check our the info on our site to ensure you have full arguments when submitting your case. Delays are caused by out of date Medical Forms, missing long form birth certificates and translations, marriage/adoption certificates and translations. Check out the most common causes of EB1 Green Card Rejections and Denials here.
Temporary Green Card
If you are currently on a temporary green card then allow your application to naturally run it’s course. As soon as you receive your temporary green card make a note of the expiry. You may have to [renew your temporary green card] if you are coming close to the end of the valid date and no decision on your case has been made or you are waiting for the I-485 to be approved. You are allowed work/travel on the temporary visa it’s best to be satisfied with it.
Thoughts
We are coming out of unprecedented times. Use these ways to speed up your application approval but please be mindful that the examiners have a massive workload and they’re dealing with a huge backlog of applications. Keep control of your application by keeping an eye on your Case Status.
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All articles are written from our experiences and the experiences of our colleagues. These are fantastic visas and we wish to empower others in applying. This information is for general guidance only and shouldn’t be considered legal advice.
If you have any questions or encounter any issues that we have left out let us know – it is important that others are aware. Email here!
FAQ
How long does it take to get a green card EB-1?
There are backlogs right now. Check out the current processing times and historic times here.
Will USCIS speed up in 2024?
YES! The USCIS is funded primarily by immigration applicants fees. When you consider how many people read / deal with your application over the time it is being processed the fee is surprising. Congress in 2022 have committed to decreasing the wait times. You can see in the last couple of months that case approval times are finally decreasing.