Urgent case path
Visa expires in fewer than 30 days? Read this first.
Tight timelines are our most common case type. We've filed inside two weeks. Here's what to do in the next 72 hours and what we can realistically accomplish.
Do this first
The next 72 hours.
1
Pull your I-94 from CBP
i94.cbp.dhs.gov. Confirm your exact status expiration date. It might be later than you think if you have a valid I-797 extension.
2
Download your prior I-20s if you've ever been F-1
If you have a prior SEVIS history, reinstatement may be simpler than a new COS.
3
Have your employer's HR pull your status letters
For H-1B holders, your current H-1B approval notice and pay stubs are the fastest way to prove you're in status.
4
Book a 20-minute Status Review
Free. Urgent cases get booked same-day or next-business-day.
5
Do NOT leave the U.S.
If you can still file COS, departing complicates it. Don't book international travel until we've mapped the path.
What's achievable
Realistic outcomes by runway.
| Time remaining | Typical outcome | Best path |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | I-539 filed before expiration. Full COS possible. | COS with rapid I-20 issuance |
| 14 days | Tight. Depends on school responsiveness. | COS if I-20 achievable; consular backup |
| 7 days | Very tight. We've done it. | COS filed at expiration + consular prep |
| Expired | COS not typically available. | Consular processing from home country |
These are typicals, not guarantees. Every case has specifics that change the math.