Attending a biometrics appointment is required for all EB-5 investors, whether applying for a Green Card through adjustment of status or consular processing.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) needs every EB-5 investor to provide biometrics data as part of their application. This step is mandatory and can’t be skipped.
During the appointment, USCIS will collect your photographs, fingerprints, and digital signatures. They will use this data to check your identity and conduct background and security checks with FBI and DHS databases.
Knowing what to expect and what to bring to your biometrics appointment will help you prepare for it. This article will explain the process, required documents, and steps to take if you can’t make your scheduled appointment.
Preparing for Your USCIS Biometrics Appointment
What to Expect During the Appointment
Documents to Bring to Your USCIS Biometrics Appointment
What Happens After the ASC Appointment?
Rescheduling an ASC Appointment
USCIS Biometrics Appointment FAQs
How EB5AN Can Help
Preparing for Your USCIS Biometrics Appointment
After you file your I-526E and I-485 petitions, USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment for you at a local Application Support Center (ASC). You’ll usually receive an appointment notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action) within eight weeks of filing your application. The appointment notice will be mailed to the address you provided on your EB-5 application, so it’s important to keep your contact information updated and inform USCIS of any changes.
The notice will include the date, time, and location of your ASC appointment, along with a list of items you need to bring to the interview.
Who Should Attend a Biometrics Appointment?
USCIS usually tries to schedule biometrics appointments for family members on the same day. So, if the derivative beneficiaries (dependent family members) of an EB-5 investor filed their I-485 petition or consular application along with the principal applicant, they can attend the biometrics appointment together. However, this is not always the case.
The appointment notice will indicate who should attend the biometrics appointment. If an EB-5 applicant’s family members’ names are not listed in their notice, the family members will have to wait to receive their own appointment notices. Alternatively, the EB-5 investor can call the ASC upon receiving their notice to check if a joint appointment with their family members is possible.
What to Expect During the Appointment
When you arrive at the ASC, an immigration officer will check your appointment notice and photo ID to confirm your appointment. They will then give you an intake form to fill out with other details like your name, address, and immigration status.
After completing the intake form, you’ll receive a ticket number and wait for your turn. When your number is called, a biometrics technician will take your photo and fingerprints using a LiveScan machine.
EB-5 Green Card applicants must also digitally sign a statement, under penalty of perjury, that all information in their petition is complete, correct, and true. This statement is available only in English and Spanish, so if you need another language, USCIS recommends reviewing the translation on their website before your appointment.
Children under 14 do not need to sign their applications, but they can if they are able. A parent or legal guardian can also sign on their behalf.
The entire USCIS biometrics appointment usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Documents to Bring to Your USCIS Biometrics Appointment
EB-5 applicants must bring the following documents to their USCIS biometrics appointment:
- ASC biometrics appointment notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action). If you received multiple notices, bring all of them.
- A valid government-issued identification document, like a passport or driver’s license.
Any other documents you need to bring will be listed on your appointment notice. Be sure to review the notice carefully to ensure you don’t forget any required documents.
What Happens After the ASC Appointment?
After collecting your biometrics information, the immigration office will stamp your appointment notice as proof that you attended the appointment. You should keep this stamped notice safe, as you might need it to prove your attendance in the future.
You might not hear from USCIS again for a few weeks or months, but you can track your application online using the receipt number on your appointment notice.
If you receive a second biometrics appointment notice, don’t worry. This usually happens if your fingerprints were smudged and need to be retaken. Attend the second appointment to resubmit your biometrics.
Rescheduling an ASC Appointment
You can reschedule your biometrics appointment if you have a valid reason for being unavailable on the scheduled date. To reschedule, use your USCIS online account or call USCIS at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). USCIS no longer accepts rescheduling requests by mail.
You must request to reschedule at least 12 hours before your appointment and provide a “good cause” for missing it. Valid reasons include medical appointments, important life events, pre-planned travel, inability to get time off work, or late receipt of the appointment notice.
If you miss your biometrics appointment and don’t reschedule, USCIS may consider your petition abandoned and could deny it. So, make sure you reschedule before your original appointment date.
Keep in mind that the next available appointment date might be several weeks away, and rescheduling could delay the processing of your EB-5 visa and increase your waiting time.
USCIS Biometrics FAQs
Can Someone Accompany Me to My Biometrics Appointment?
It depends on your situation. If you have a disability, you can bring a caregiver to your biometrics appointment. You can also request disability accommodations on the USCIS website or by calling their contact center.
If you are not fluent in English, you can bring an interpreter if the ASC or U.S. embassy does not provide one for your language.
What Happens if I Have a Criminal Record?
If you have a criminal record, it’s important to consult an EB-5 immigration lawyer before filing your application. The lawyer can review your history and advise you on what needs to be disclosed to avoid issues during the USCIS background check.
How EB5AN Can Help
Attending your USCIS biometrics appointment is crucial for the EB-5 Green Card application process. Missing the appointment or having discrepancies between your petition and the USCIS background check can result in delays or even denials. This is why getting professional help is important.
If you need guidance with any stage of your EB-5 visa application, EB5AN can help. We have successfully assisted 2,300 families from 60 countries in relocating to the U.S. as lawful permanent residents.
Please book a free consultation with our EB-5 experts today to learn more about the various stages of the EB-5 process.
