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Original Date Announced
December 29, 2020USCIS announces that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has experienced delays in scheduling and rescheduling application support center (ASC) appointments to collect biometrics. Current processing times are affected by several variables including demand and capacity at individuals ASCs. [ID #1266]
USCIS Application Support Centers UpdatesEffective Date
December 29, 2020Biden Administration Action: Modified
May 11, 20212021.05.11 Rescheduling Biometric Services Appointments by Phone
This Biden administration policy modifies the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
On May 11, 2021, USCIS issued an update to announce that applicants, petitioners, requestors and beneficiaries may now call the USCIS Contact Center to reschedule their biometric services appointments scheduled at a USCIS Application Support Center. Previously, applicants had to submit requests in writing to reschedule their biometrics appointments.
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Modified
June 28, 2023USCIS Launches Online Rescheduling of Biometrics Appointments
This Biden administration policy modifies the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
On June 28, 2023, USCIS issued an update announcing a new self-service tool allowing benefit requestors, and their attorneys and accredited representatives, to reschedule most biometric services appointments before the date of the appointment. The biometric services appointment rescheduling tool can be accessed via a USCIS online account regardless of whether the pending case was submitted online or by mail. Benefit requestors and accredited representatives will still have the option to call the USCIS Contact Center to reschedule an appointment, but are encouraged to use the new tool instead. Untimely reschedule requests, however, must still be made via the USCIS Contact Center and cannot be processed via the online rescheduling tool.
USCIS also issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to explain 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 to explain how the agency considers a timely request to reschedule a biometric services appointment for “good cause.” Good cause exists when the reschedule request provides sufficient reason for the benefit requestor’s inability to appear on the scheduled date.
View DocumentCurrent Status
Partially in effectMost Recent Action
June 28, 2023 Action: Modified USCIS Launches Online Rescheduling of Biometrics AppointmentsMay 11, 2021Acted on by Biden Administration
June 28, 2023Acted on by Biden Administration
Original Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Action: Forms and Information CollectionSubject Matter: Humanitarian Non-Immigrant Visas Immigrant VisasAgencies Affected: USCISAssociated or Derivative Policies