I-797C Notice of Action: What Is a Biometrics Appointment?
If you apply or petition the U.S. government to receive certain immigration benefits, you must attend a biometrics appointment with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about biometrics, including what they are, what happens during a biometrics appointment, and how you can prepare for one.
Biometrics play an essential role in nearly every stage of the modern U.S. immigration system. Understanding what a biometrics appointment is and why USCIS requires it helps applicants feel more prepared and less anxious.
Many people also want to know what happens after biometrics appointment for green card applications or other immigration benefits. The biometrics screening is usually one of the earliest steps in a case, and although it is short, it triggers several important background checks that USCIS and the FBI must complete before an application can move forward.
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What Are Biometrics?
Although the term may sound a bit intimidating, biometrics are a relatively simple set of data that USCIS collects from you, and includes your:
- Fingerprints
- Photo
- Digital signature
USCIS gathers this information during a biometrics appointment.
For many applicants, particularly those seeking permanent residence, the biometrics process is sometimes referred to as a green card fingerprint appointment. While fingerprints are only one component of the screening, they are the part most directly tied to the FBI background check.
Applicants often wonder whether the appointment itself determines eligibility. It does not; instead, the biometrics visit supplies the government with the data it needs to confirm identity, check for past immigration violations, and ensure there are no criminal-history issues that could affect your case.
Your biometrics will remain valid for 15 months, which means that in some situations USCIS may reuse previously collected fingerprints if you filed an earlier application. This can sometimes shorten processing times because the agency does not need to collect new prints unless required for security reasons.
Why Does USCIS Require Biometrics?
Biometrics enable USCIS to verify your identity and to run internal criminal background and security checks.
Once your fingerprints, photo, and signature are taken, USCIS transmits this information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for background and security screening. These checks happen electronically and may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on government workload and whether additional review is necessary.
What happens after a biometrics appointment for green card applications varies; some may move straight to interview scheduling, while others wait for additional processing steps such as work authorization, travel-document decisions, or Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
Although you will not receive immediate results from the ASC, you can monitor your case by entering your receipt number into the USCIS Case Status portal. The system will update automatically once the agency has moved to the next stage of adjudication.
At the request of USCIS, the FBI will also run a “name check” in which the bureau scans its records for the appearance of an applicant’s name.
The digital signature portion of your biometrics also serves as your certification that the information submitted in your application for immigration benefits, including all of the corresponding documentation and evidence you furnished, was true, accurate, and complete when you filed.
Do You Schedule Your Own Biometrics Appointment?
Once you apply for immigration benefits, USCIS will book your biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center (ASC) that’s near you, and you’ll receive a notice for your appointment, Notice of Action (Form I-797C). A biometrics appointment typically occurs shortly after you receive your Notice of Action (Form I-797C. The notice will indicate the date, location, and time of your appointment.
This notice is extremely important because it confirms that USCIS has accepted your filing and begun processing your case. Keeping your Form I-797C safe and bringing it with you to your appointment helps avoid delays in your overall immigration timeline.
You can refer to the USCIS Service and Office Locator to learn about the ASC office near your zip code.
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What to Bring to Your USCIS Biometrics Appointment
When you attend your biometrics appointment, be sure to bring:
- All appointment notices sent by USCIS
- A valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID)
- Any other documents you were instructed to bring to the appointment notice
Although your immigration attorney may have applied for immigration benefits on your behalf, they don’t have to come with you to the appointment.
To make your USCIS biometrics appointment go smoothly, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early and review your Form I-797C beforehand to confirm the address and any special instructions. The ASC will scan the barcode on your notice, verify your identity, and direct you through the process. The appointment usually takes no more than 20 minutes. Wearing clothing that allows sleeves to be rolled up easily can help ensure clear fingerprint capture.
What if You Need an Interpreter for Your Appointment?
If you don’t understand English well, you can bring a friend, family member, your attorney, or an accredited representative to translate for you during your appointment.
Be aware, though, that USCIS does provide information and instructions in Arabic, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Creole, and Korean.
What if You Can’t Travel to Your Biometrics Appointment Due to a Disability or Health Issue?
A health challenge or a disability may make you unable to travel to your biometrics appointment. In such a case, and in other limited circumstances, you may be able to make use of USCIS’s mobile biometrics services.
To do so, you can go online to request an accommodation for your scheduled USCIS appointment, or you can call the USCIS Contact Center: 800-375-5283 to make your request. (Applicants for asylum, or the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act 203 (NACARA 203), need to make their request via phone).
If your request for an accommodation is denied and you believe it was done in error, you can ask that it be reconsidered and provide any updated information you may have about your situation.
What Happens if You Miss Your USCIS Biometric Appointment?
Be sure not to miss your biometrics appointment. If you do, USCIS will assume that you’ve abandoned your application for immigration benefits. If you need to reschedule your appointment, you should do so as far in advance as possible. USCIS will decide whether your reason for requesting to reschedule is acceptable. To reschedule your appointment, you can call the USCIS Contact Center: 800-375-5283.
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What is the Fee for a Biometrics Appointment?
USCIS charges an $85 fee for a biometric screening at the time of this writing. Be aware, though, that the agency periodically adjusts its fees. To learn about fees charged to process applications for a variety of immigration benefits, the USCIS fee calculator is a beneficial tool.
Updates to USCIS Biometrics Requirements for Certain Petitioners and Applicants
Removal of Biometrics Requirement for Form I-526E Petitioners
As of March 2023, petitioners who file Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor, are no longer required to submit biometrics. Although a biometric screening is not a requirement anymore, USCIS may request biometrics in situations where it deems them necessary.
Extension of Temporary Suspension of Biometric Requirements for Certain Form I-539 Applicants
USCIS extended the suspension of the biometrics requirement for certain individuals who file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, who request an extension of stay in H-4, L-2, or E nonimmigrant status, or request to change their status to one of these nonimmigrant classifications.
Temporary suspension was extended through September 30, 2023.
Do You Need to Talk to an Immigration Attorney About Preparing for Your Biometrics Appointment?
If you need to speak with an attorney about preparing for your biometrics appointment, or if your request for an appointment was rejected by USCIS, we may be able to help you. Call our office today to schedule a consultation. Our team is here to answer your questions and provide the legal guidance you need.
