Experience with military expedite

[Pinball1921 4]

I see everyone else writing their experience so I thought I'd do the same. I filed for I-130 expedite because I am in my deployment window. I have no orders yet however. I had my commander write a letter, and my unit deployment manager write a letter confirming I was in my deployment window and that my orders could be short notice. Then I had my own letter and that was addressed to the local congressman's office. I gave all the letters to the congressman, and they had their own letter as well. Expedite approved, and i130 approved all on the same day. By the way, I filed on April 25. It CAN happen without orders, despite what some people believe.

[ccyahaira 2]

Congratulation.... and Thank you for Serving or Nation..

[Pinball1921 4]

Thanks! My wife is from Panama too. What part are you from? And it looks like we are neighbors. I live in Alexandria.

[ccyahaira 2]

I'm from Colon.

[TKBRAVO 4]

TO ALL MILITARY MEMBER. IF YOU HAVE APPLIED FOR A I129F, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CASE EXPEDITION.WHETHER YOU ARE DEPLYED OR NOT.

YOU WILL NEED TO WRITE A LETTER EXPLAINING WHY YOU WANT YOUR CASE TO BE EXPEDITES, AND ALSON FAX THEM YOUR MILITARY ORDER. THAT IS ALL.'GOOD LUCK TO ALL

[Juan & Nan 12]

I see everyone else writing their experience so I thought I'd do the same. I filed for I-130 expedite because I am in my deployment window. I have no orders yet however. I had my commander write a letter, and my unit deployment manager write a letter confirming I was in my deployment window and that my orders could be short notice. Then I had my own letter and that was addressed to the local congressman's office. I gave all the letters to the congressman, and they had their own letter as well. Expedite approved, and i130 approved all on the same day. By the way, I filed on April 25. It CAN happen without orders, despite what some people believe.

Outstanding. Congrats

[April-n-Gary 17]

Hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread...

I called the military helpline this morning. It was kind of hard to understand the operator, she talked really fast, seemed to be reading off a script. I requested an expedite due to an upcoming deployment (got a deployment notification letter signed by commander). Answered a bunch of questions, i.e. name, DOB, receipt number, address, phone number, email address, date of expected deployment, etc. Repeated everything I told her, then said I should get a reply within 5 days, but maybe not either if they are busy. Gave me a referral number asked if I needed anything else, and thanked me for my service! All in all, a pretty quick, easy and painless process so far.

A few hours later got an email from the California Service Center confirming my expedite request. It contained all the information I provided earlier via phone and requested I "submit evidence of your current or former military service such as your military identification or deployment papers to substantiate your request" to a fax number along with the name of the Case Officer handling my case. So I faxed off 1) A copy of the email they sent me (as indicated in the email) 2) cover letter, signed by myself, requesting the expedite, my name, my fiancé's name, and deployment dates. 3) deployment notification letter signed by my commander. I did not send a letter from my Unit Deployment Manger (UDM) mainly cause I am one!

I hope to hear back from them pretty soon, just glad that someone is looking at our case, although it really hasn't been that long for us yet. I'll post more info as I get it.

[NikLR 13,232]

Looks like you did everything you need to do. Hope you get the expedite!

May I ask what branch you are in?

[April-n-Gary 17]

Well, got up this morning, checked my email and USCIS status...no change Kept checking my status all day long...nothing. Guess I was expecting too much and figured I'd have to wait at least the 5 days that the military helpline mentioned.

Just by chance decided to check my email...got something from USCIS at 16:45 Hawaii time, so would be pretty late for California time, figured they'd be gone for the weekend.

Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity


On June 14, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice.

Looks like I got approved!!! Just got to wait for the NOA2 and the package to get transferred to NVC and on to the embassy. Got to hustle to get all our interview paperwork together.

FYI, I'm a proud member of the Air National Guard, so yes, I guess Reservist/Guard members can get expedited also, as long as you're deploying. Forget about the old recruiting promise of one weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer! ha! haven't seen that in years.

[Pinball1921 4]

Make sure you also call the uscis and request an expedite to actually mail the petition to he NVC. If you don't, it will stay at uscis for possibly months just sitting there. Yea I know it would make sense to send it right away since it was an expedited decision, but we both know the government doesn't always make sense.

[NikLR 13,232]

Congrats on your petition approval! I hope you can get a quick interview date!