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On June 28, USCIS launched a new self-service biometric services appointment rescheduling tool on my.uscis.gov. Benefit requestors, and their attorneys and accredited representatives, can now reschedule most biometric services appointments online, without calling the USCIS Contact Center.
This is an important step in USCIS’ efforts to use technical solutions to streamline processes and reduce Contact Center wait times. USCIS continues to demonstrate our commitment to supporting the Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government Mandates (EO 14058) by introducing new initiatives to improve the customer experience.
The biometric services appointment rescheduling tool is available for both paper- and online-filed benefit requests.
To use the biometric services appointment rescheduling tool, individuals who have good cause to reschedule must first create a USCIS online account (if they do not already have one) and visit my.uscis.gov before their scheduled appointment date. The individual must:
- Select the Biometric Rescheduling option;
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reserve a new appointment time and/or appointment location;
- Choose a method (email or SMS message) to receive a confirmation message once a printable copy of the new appointment notice is available; and
- Print the new appointment notice to bring to the application support center (ASC).
Each person must then bring the printed new appointment notice along with a valid, unexpired photo identification (for example, Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card), passport, or driver’s license) or other identity documentation as authorized by USCIS to the appointment. If the applicant has more than one biometric services appointment notice, the applicant should bring all notices to the ASC appointment. A printed copy of an appointment notice is required by the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) and ASCs will not accept electronic copies of notices.
USCIS also published a policy manual update today, explaining that the agency may consider an untimely request to reschedule a biometric services appointment and the effect of failing to appear for an appointment, and providing guidance on what is considered “good cause” to reschedule a biometric services appointment.
Good cause exists where the request to reschedule provides a sufficient reason for the benefit requestor’s inability to appear on the scheduled appointment date. Sufficient reasons for “good cause” may include, but are not limited to:
- Illness, medical appointment, or hospitalization;
- Previously planned travel;
- Significant life events such as a wedding, funeral, or graduation ceremony;
- Inability to obtain transportation to the appointment location;
- Inability to obtain leave from employment or caregiver responsibilities; and
- Late delivered or undelivered biometric services appointment notice.
To review the full details of the policy guidance visit the Policy Manual Update.
In certain instances, you will still need to call the Contact Center to reschedule a biometric services appointment. You must still call the USCIS Contact Center to reschedule an appointment if:
- The request is within 12 hours of your existing appointment time;
- This is the third attempt to reschedule the same appointment;
- The request is for a missed appointment; or
- The tool is unavailable due to technical reasons.
USCIS will also conduct outreach activities to ensure applicants and interested parties are familiar with the new rescheduling tool.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
This article is provided as an educational service and is not legal advice. Consult with an attorney for your specific circumstances. For a comprehensive evaluation of your immigration situation and options,
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