Can You Request Expedited Immigration During a Government Shutdown?

Applicants facing emergencies can still ask for expedited processing during a government shutdown, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continuing most operations because it is primarily funded by fees. USCIS officials confirm that expedite approvals remain discretionary and depend on the specific facts and available staff.

That means urgent requests may move forward even when other federal services pause, but applicants should expect uneven timelines, especially for cases tied to agencies that do shut down. The Department of Labor’s pause on labor certifications and wage determinations can slow some employment-based cases before they ever reach USCIS, creating knock-on delays that USCIS cannot fix.

How USCIS handles expedite requests

USCIS evaluates expedite requests case by case. Officers usually look for documents that show a true emergency or severe hardship if the request waits in line.

Common examples include:
– Serious illness or death of a close family member
– Urgent military deployment
– Other clear humanitarian needs

Evidence should be strong and specific—medical letters on official letterhead, military orders, or other formal records. Requests go to the office handling the case. Applicants and attorneys should keep messages short, factual, and focused on the emergency.

Note:
– Premium processing is a paid service for certain forms and is separate from an expedite request.
– An expedite is free and discretionary; it requires proof of urgency, not a fee.

Policy context and what stays open

During a federal funding lapse, core USCIS services usually continue because the agency runs on application fees, not annual appropriations. This allows adjudicators to keep working on cases and to consider expedite requests.

However:
– The overall system does not operate in a vacuum. When the Department of Labor (DOL) stops processing PERM labor certifications or prevailing wage requests, employers cannot complete steps needed for some petitions. Even though USCIS remains open, filings tied to those DOL steps can stall.
– According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, such upstream shutdowns can push timelines for high-skill workers and their families, especially those waiting to file employment-based immigrant petitions tied to DOL outcomes.

Consular processing and the National Visa Center (NVC)

For immigrant visas handled by the National Visa Center (NVC), expedite requests are strict:
– The NVC generally requires the case to be “documentarily qualified” before considering moving an interview ahead of line.
– Applicants must show a life-or-death medical emergency or similar urgent humanitarian reason.
– Submit detailed information along with medical statements or other proof.
– Decisions often come within about 30 to 45 days.

Even with an approved NVC expedite, local U.S. embassy or consulate capacity, country conditions, and staffing can limit how quickly an interview slot appears.

Key takeaways:
– Expedite approvals are discretionary and rare. Strong, clear evidence is essential.
– USCIS operations largely continue during a shutdown, but other agencies’ closures can block steps outside USCIS control.
– NVC expedite standards are strict, typically requiring life-or-death or similar humanitarian grounds, and decisions can take about 1–1.5 months.

For official guidance on how to ask for an expedite with USCIS, see the agency’s instructions on How to Make an Expedite Request. The page outlines what USCIS looks for and how requests should be sent.

Practical steps for emergency requests

When time matters, simple, concrete steps help.

1. Gather evidence
   • Medical letters should explain the diagnosis, urgency, and why earlier immigration action is necessary.
   • For a dying or deceased family member, include a hospital letter or death certificate.
   • For deployment, attach official orders.
   • For humanitarian crises, provide supporting records.
   • Avoid long narratives; let the documents speak.
2. Send the expedite request properly
   • Send to the USCIS office processing the case.
   • Include receipt number, full name, date of birth, and contact details.
   • Be polite and brief. Use a subject line such as:
     • “EXPEDITE REQUEST – [Receipt Number] – [Type of Emergency]”
   • Applicants may call the USCIS Contact Center to note the request, but written, documented submissions generally carry more weight.
   • Keep copies of everything.
3. Expect mixed outcomes during a shutdown
   • If your case depends on a DOL step, an expedite with USCIS cannot bypass a DOL halt.
   • Employers and attorneys should set expectations with workers about what can and cannot proceed until funding is restored.
   • If the case is already at USCIS and does not require DOL input, an expedite may still move based on the merits.
4. For NVC cases
   • Email the request according to NVC instructions.
   • Include the case number, names of all applicants, and precise details of the emergency.
   • Attach medical statements with contact information for the doctor or hospital.
   • The NVC will review and coordinate with the embassy or consulate.
   • Even when approved, real interview availability depends on local conditions, including any local slowdowns or closures.

What works best in an expedite request

Lawyers say the most effective expedite requests share three traits:
– Timely — filed promptly once the emergency is known
– Tightly documented — concise records that prove urgency
– Clearly tied to an immigration need — show why the immigration action affects the emergency

Examples:
– A parent seeking advance parole to visit a critically ill child should include the child’s medical records and a physician’s note stating the patient’s condition and need for the parent’s presence.
– A worker with a set deployment date should show orders and explain why quick action on the immigration step is needed before leaving.

Community impact and practical advice

Community impact during shutdowns is uneven:
– Families facing medical crises often suffer most when travel or work authorization sits in a queue.
– Students and workers can lose offers or face status gaps when a needed step freezes at DOL.
– Military families often get faster attention when deployment proof is strong.

Practical tips:
– Watch for updates on agency status during a government shutdown—USCIS may be open while local Application Support Centers adjust schedules and consular posts shift staffing.
– Check official channels before traveling to an appointment.
– If an expedite is granted, follow instructions carefully; officers may request more evidence or schedule earlier appointments.
– Keep backup plans:
– Consider humanitarian parole where appropriate for urgent travel.
– Ask an employer to adjust a start date if a job is on the line.
– File for extensions early if documents will expire soon.

Expedites can help in true emergencies, but they are not guaranteed. Strong planning, steady communication, and precise paperwork remain the best tools during a government shutdown—and after it.