Considering the Congressman Route

[sigmanigma 0]

Here's the deal: my girlfriend's graduating from German high school next year and we're sending out her college apps in the next few weeks. Based on what one of the schools has told us, she needs to have a visa in-hand if she doesn't need a student visa by around April/May-ish. "Why not get her the student visa?" you ask. Turns out we need to prove that she has enough funds to last her the year... $14,000 (money neither of us has).

My concern: Having an NOA1 of early November, April/May is cutting it a little close. Should I try the Congressman route? Would I even qualify? Who has done this successfully?

Thanks.

[payxibka 10,045]

I would think it is not remotely close to being considered an emergent situation

[KimandRuss 0]

agreed.

[sigmanigma 0]

I would think it is not remotely close to being considered an emergent situation

I'll take that as a "No."

Second attempt: What I'm looking for is someone who's tried this route and been successful with not-so-"emergent" circumstances. Anyone?

[KimandRuss 0]

The only people i've seen expedited here have been USC with severe illness (2x's) and members of the US military deployed or with deployment orders (several). I do believe there was also one where the beneficiary was in harms way in her own Country... but I think that was a fluke.

However, i've seen MANY try and fail. Sorry.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Congressmen may be contacted once you are out of USCIS's timeframe. At this point, they are processing from March 2008, 8 months ago. In the next couple of months, they may be able to reduce the timeframe to 6 months (as it had been last month), however that would still be beyond the time you want.

I believe some universities would accept her visa being submitted beyond April/May, so long as you are willing to pay the tuition. Your concern is genuine, but you may just need to wait and see.

[sigmanigma 0]

The only people i've seen expedited here have been USC with severe illness (2x's) and members of the US military deployed or with deployment orders (several). I do believe there was also one where the beneficiary was in harms way in her own Country... but I think that was a fluke.

However, i've seen MANY try and fail. Sorry.

I appreciate your frankness. Just out of curiosity, is it USCIS or the congressman who decides whether the circumstances warrant getting expedited?

[pushbrk 12,906]

The only people i've seen expedited here have been USC with severe illness (2x's) and members of the US military deployed or with deployment orders (several). I do believe there was also one where the beneficiary was in harms way in her own Country... but I think that was a fluke.

However, i've seen MANY try and fail. Sorry.

I appreciate your frankness. Just out of curiosity, is it USCIS or the congressman who decides whether the circumstances warrant getting expedited?

USCIS decides. Please try to understand that if there were a shortcut, everybody would take it, so it wouldn't be shortcut anymore. You'll just need to work within the system.

[payxibka 10,045]

Unless you can qualify under the published criteria..... and is it discretionary as well...

USCIS Expedite Criteria

All expedite requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and are granted at the discretion of the Director. The criteria are as follows:

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

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0000ecd190aRCRD

Edited November 21, 2008 by payxibka

[sigmanigma 0]

The only people i've seen expedited here have been USC with severe illness (2x's) and members of the US military deployed or with deployment orders (several). I do believe there was also one where the beneficiary was in harms way in her own Country... but I think that was a fluke.

However, i've seen MANY try and fail. Sorry.

I appreciate your frankness. Just out of curiosity, is it USCIS or the congressman who decides whether the circumstances warrant getting expedited?

USCIS decides. Please try to understand that if there were a shortcut, everybody would take it, so it wouldn't be shortcut anymore. You'll just need to work within the system.

Everyone would clamor for the opportunity to pay thousands of dollars in tuition?

Anyway, thanks for the reality check. I suppose the only thing left to do is wait or forge some kind of emergency situation. I appreciate all your posts.

[pushbrk 12,906]

The only people i've seen expedited here have been USC with severe illness (2x's) and members of the US military deployed or with deployment orders (several). I do believe there was also one where the beneficiary was in harms way in her own Country... but I think that was a fluke.

However, i've seen MANY try and fail. Sorry.

I appreciate your frankness. Just out of curiosity, is it USCIS or the congressman who decides whether the circumstances warrant getting expedited?

USCIS decides. Please try to understand that if there were a shortcut, everybody would take it, so it wouldn't be shortcut anymore. You'll just need to work within the system.

Everyone would clamor for the opportunity to pay thousands of dollars in tuition?

Anyway, thanks for the reality check. I suppose the only thing left to do is wait or forge some kind of emergency situation. I appreciate all your posts.

You're asking about expediting a fiance visa case, so tuition has nothing to do with it. Forging an emergency is a good way to get your loved one banned from the US for life. No, sir! You really ARE going to have to work within the system. Grow up!

[Otto 83]

Here's the deal: my girlfriend's graduating from German high school next year and we're sending out her college apps in the next few weeks. Based on what one of the schools has told us, she needs to have a visa in-hand if she doesn't need a student visa by around April/May-ish. "Why not get her the student visa?" you ask. Turns out we need to prove that she has enough funds to last her the year... $14,000 (money neither of us has).

My concern: Having an NOA1 of early November, April/May is cutting it a little close. Should I try the Congressman route? Would I even qualify? Who has done this successfully?

Thanks.

Unfortunately - (I know, you've heard this already) you may as well make alternate plans (because it is cutting things pretty close - Frankfurt is good, but maybe not that good); perhaps starting school in the summer. My father, an engineer, used to say "you can't push a string" which would hold true in your situation (nearly 100% certain of this).

It certainly wouldn't hurt to contact a Representative or Senator although they very likely will have very little impact if your case is within USCIS guidelines (which it is). Wish I could have better news...

[cdneh 3,112]

The only people i've seen expedited here have been USC with severe illness (2x's) and members of the US military deployed or with deployment orders (several). I do believe there was also one where the beneficiary was in harms way in her own Country... but I think that was a fluke.

However, i've seen MANY try and fail. Sorry.

I appreciate your frankness. Just out of curiosity, is it USCIS or the congressman who decides whether the circumstances warrant getting expedited?

USCIS decides. Please try to understand that if there were a shortcut, everybody would take it, so it wouldn't be shortcut anymore. You'll just need to work within the system.

Everyone would clamor for the opportunity to pay thousands of dollars in tuition?

Anyway, thanks for the reality check. I suppose the only thing left to do is wait or forge some kind of emergency situation. I appreciate all your posts.

You're asking about expediting a fiance visa case, so tuition has nothing to do with it. Forging an emergency is a good way to get your loved one banned from the US for life. No, sir! You really ARE going to have to work within the system. Grow up!

I hope you are paying attention to what pushbrk has posted. You will have to wait just as the rest of us are waiting.

[sigmanigma 0]

The only people i've seen expedited here have been USC with severe illness (2x's) and members of the US military deployed or with deployment orders (several). I do believe there was also one where the beneficiary was in harms way in her own Country... but I think that was a fluke.

However, i've seen MANY try and fail. Sorry.

I appreciate your frankness. Just out of curiosity, is it USCIS or the congressman who decides whether the circumstances warrant getting expedited?

USCIS decides. Please try to understand that if there were a shortcut, everybody would take it, so it wouldn't be shortcut anymore. You'll just need to work within the system.

Everyone would clamor for the opportunity to pay thousands of dollars in tuition?

Anyway, thanks for the reality check. I suppose the only thing left to do is wait or forge some kind of emergency situation. I appreciate all your posts.

You're asking about expediting a fiance visa case, so tuition has nothing to do with it. Forging an emergency is a good way to get your loved one banned from the US for life. No, sir! You really ARE going to have to work within the system. Grow up!

First, the tuition has everything to do with it, considering your argument (that everyone would pursue the shortcut should I get expedited, if my reading comprehension serves me).

Second, are you so afraid that I won't work within the system? What if I didn't? What would that mean to you?

And last -- Forgive me for not using emoticons to express my joking about the forging of an emergency. However, should I forge one, I'll be careful not to get caught

Thanks for your concern.

As for everyone else who posted, I really DO appreciate your frankness and references to the USCIS website. I don't know where I'd be without VJ.com

[Otto 83]

As for everyone else who posted, I really DO appreciate your frankness and references to the USCIS website. I don't know where I'd be without VJ.com

Hang in there... we've either been where you are, or are there with you (and it doesn't hurt to ask a question)...