When Non-U.S. Citizen Receives Biometric (ASC) Appointments

After a non-U.S.Citizen files an application / petition or other benefit request, they may be receiving a notification of biometric service appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC). The appointment notice will notify the applicant / benefit requestor about the appointment’s time, date and where they have to present for that appointment.  It applies to the applicant / petitioner / other benefit requestor stated above who lives in the U.S. However, according to 8 CFR 103.2(b)(9), for the benefit requestors residing outside of the United States, USCIS may schedule biometrics collection at a USCIS office abroad, at a U.S. embassy or consulate, or at a U.S. military installation abroad.

Who can be waived by ASC appointment?

According to the title 8 CFR 103.16, there is an exception to the requirement (for military naturalization cases) to collect new biometrics exists in the case of military naturalization. For example: for the military naturalization cases, USCIS may reuse previously collected fingerprints from a different immigration filing or fingerprints collected as part of enlistment processing to perform the check. Generally, anyone required to appear for a biometric services appointment cannot be waived for some reason. But before their ASC appointment time and date, they may request rescheduling the appointment based on their uncontrollable conditions or sufficient reason on that date. For example, their illness, medical appointment, or hospitalization; significant life events such as a wedding, funeral, or graduation ceremony; or late delivered or undelivered biometric services appointment notice etc.

What will happen if the requestor fails to appear at ASC appointment?

When the requestor fails to appear at the ASC appointment without authorization from USCIS, the agency will consider a requestor to have abandoned an application, petition, or request. It could be caused by denying their application based on the requestor failing to appear at the appointment. Therefore, the requestor must inform USCIS if they are not able to present at the appointment or request a rescheduling appointment. Please note that USCIS only accepts untimely rescheduling requests made to the USCIS Contact Center and does not accept untimely requests to reschedule by mail or in person at a USCIS office or through the online rescheduling tool.

What would happen if the requestor missed the appointment without notifying USCIS?

Generally, USCIS will consider a requestor to have abandoned an application, petition, or request. However, according to 8 CFR 208.10, this requirement does not apply to the applicants who have filed an Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. But USCIS may dismiss their asylum application if the applicant is in lawful immigration status or paroled or refer the application to an immigration judge if the applicant is not in lawful immigration status or paroled.

What documents does the requestor need to bring the appointment?

The person submitting biometrics should bring the appointment notice and valid, unexpired photo identification or other identity documentation (from their home country) as authorized by USCIS to the appointment. For some circumstances, for example: non-U.S.Citizen who is classified as special immigrant juvenile (SIJs) may not have government-issued photo identification. In this situation, USCIS may accept as evidence of identity a court-issued order citing the SIJ as the subject of the order, or official documentation issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for unaccompanied children who are or have been in the custody of HHS.