How to Reschedule Your USCIS Biometrics Appointment the Right Way
If you filed an immigration application and received a biometrics appointment notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the federal agency that processes green cards, work permits, and other immigration benefits, you are expected to show up at your local Application Support Center (ASC) on the scheduled date. If something comes up and you cannot make it, you need to reschedule before your appointment, or your case may be treated as abandoned and denied.
The rescheduling process has changed in recent years, and some of the advice you may find online is outdated. USCIS now requires that all rescheduling requests go through your myUSCIS online account or the USCIS Contact Center. The agency no longer accepts rescheduling requests by mail or in person at a USCIS office. If you follow the wrong steps, you could miss your window and put your entire case at risk.
If you have questions about your biometrics appointment or need help with your immigration case, call Brooks Law Firm at (617) 245-8090 to schedule a free consultation.
USCIS Collects Your Fingerprints, Photo, and Signature
After you file an application, petition, or request with USCIS, the agency may schedule a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC), which is the USCIS office where fingerprints, photos, and signatures are collected. At this appointment, USCIS collects three things: your fingerprints, a photograph, and a digital signature. This information is used to verify your identity and run the required FBI background and security checks before a decision is made on your case.
You will receive an appointment notice (Form I-797C) that lists the date, time, and location of your appointment. Bring that notice and a valid, unexpired photo ID, such as a passport, green card, or driver’s license. Also bring any other documents your notice specifically requests.
For most applications filed on or after April 1, 2024, there is no separate biometrics fee. The cost of biometrics collection is now included in your main filing fee, so you do not need to pay anything at the ASC. The limited exceptions are Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications and certain filings handled by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the agency that runs the immigration courts, which carry a separate $30 biometrics fee.
Your appointment notice will specify exactly what biometrics are required for your case, including whether a signature is needed. USCIS does not require children under 14 to provide a signature, but fingerprints and a photograph may still be collected. Always follow the instructions on your notice.
Reschedule Online or by Phone Before Your Appointment Date
If you cannot attend your biometrics appointment, you must request a reschedule before your scheduled date and time. USCIS only accepts rescheduling requests through two channels: your myUSCIS online account or the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY: 800-767-1833). The agency does not accept rescheduling requests submitted by mail or in person at a USCIS office or ASC.
The online tool is one option. Log into your myUSCIS account, locate your appointment, and follow the prompts to select a new date. When USCIS launched the tool, the agency stated that it could not be used for appointments less than 12 hours away, for cases already rescheduled twice through the tool, or for appointments that had already passed. If the online tool is not available for your situation, call the Contact Center instead.
An attorney or accredited representative with a properly filed Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance) can also reschedule on your behalf through the same two channels.
You Must Show Good Cause to Reschedule
USCIS will grant a rescheduling request when the applicant provides a sufficient reason for being unable to appear on the scheduled date. The USCIS Policy Manual lists several examples of what may qualify, including illness, a medical appointment, or hospitalization; previously planned travel; a significant life event such as a wedding, funeral, or graduation; inability to get transportation to the ASC; inability to get time off from work or caregiver responsibilities; and a late-delivered or undelivered appointment notice.
This list is not exhaustive, and USCIS evaluates each request individually. There is no guarantee that a particular reason will be accepted, but the standard is reasonable, not extraordinary. The key is to contact USCIS before your appointment, explain why you cannot attend, and request a new date.
A Missed Appointment Can Get Your Case Denied
This is the most important part. Under federal regulations, USCIS considers an application, petition, or request abandoned and denied if the applicant fails to appear for a biometrics appointment and the agency has not received a rescheduling request or a change of address by the appointment time. An abandonment denial cannot be appealed. A motion to reopen may be available in limited circumstances, but the priority date from an abandoned application cannot be transferred to a later filing.
If you already missed your appointment and your case is still pending, call the USCIS Contact Center immediately. The Contact Center is the only channel that accepts untimely rescheduling requests. You cannot use the online rescheduling tool, and you cannot submit the request by mail or in person. When considering whether to reschedule a missed appointment, USCIS looks at how much time has passed since the missed date, whether you have a sufficient reason for failing to appear, and whether denying the case would cause undue hardship or expense.
There is one exception to the abandonment rule. Asylum applicants who filed Form I-589 and fail to appear for fingerprint processing are not denied for abandonment. Instead, USCIS may dismiss the application if the applicant has lawful status or parole, or refer the case to an immigration judge if the applicant does not have lawful status.
Check Your Online Account If Your Notice Has Not Arrived
If more than a few weeks have passed since USCIS accepted your application and you have not received an appointment notice, check your myUSCIS online account or the USCIS Case Status Online tool for updates. Biometrics appointment information may appear there even if the paper notice has not arrived.
If your notice was sent to the wrong address because you moved, you should file a change of address with USCIS immediately using Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address Card). USCIS sends all correspondence, including appointment notices, to the address on file. If a notice goes to an old address and you do not appear, the agency may treat your case as abandoned, and claiming you never received the notice may not be enough to reverse that decision.
If your appointment notice was late or never delivered, that can qualify as good cause for a rescheduling request, but you must still contact USCIS as soon as you learn about the missed appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to any ASC for my biometrics, or do I have to go to the one on my notice?
You should go to the ASC listed on your appointment notice. USCIS assigns you to a specific location based on where you live. However, you may be able to appear at your assigned ASC before your scheduled date. If you need to change the location, contact the USCIS Contact Center.
How many times can I reschedule my biometrics appointment?
There is no published hard limit. When USCIS introduced the online rescheduling tool, the agency indicated it could not be used after two prior online reschedules. After that, you must call the USCIS Contact Center. Repeated rescheduling without a clear reason could raise concerns, so treat each reschedule seriously and provide a genuine reason.
Does rescheduling delay my case?
It can. Your case generally cannot move forward until USCIS completes your background and security checks, and those checks depend on your biometrics being collected. The sooner you complete the appointment, the less likely it is that your case will be delayed.
Is there a separate fee for biometrics?
For most applications filed on or after April 1, 2024, no. The biometrics cost is now included in the main filing fee. The only exceptions are TPS filings and certain EOIR-related filings, which carry a separate $30 biometrics fee.
What if I have a disability and cannot travel to the ASC?
USCIS offers mobile biometrics collection for people with a disability or medical condition that prevents them from appearing in person. You can request this accommodation through the USCIS disability accommodations page or by calling the Contact Center. USCIS decides these requests on a case-by-case basis.
Talk to an Immigration Attorney About Your Case
Rescheduling a biometrics appointment is a procedural step, but it can have serious consequences if it is not handled correctly. If you missed your appointment, if your case has been delayed, or if you have questions about what comes next in your immigration process, speaking with a lawyer may help. That is true whether you are applying for a green card, a work permit, or any other immigration benefit.
Reach out to Brooks Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation, and we will give you an honest look at where your case stands and what your options are. Call (617) 245-8090.
