USCIS Streamlines Online Rescheduling Process of Biometrics Appointments

July 7, 2023 | By: Ashima Chock

INTRODUCTION

On July 6, 2023, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy alert on the implementation of a new online feature allowing individuals to reschedule their biometrics appointment online. Previously, rescheduling a biometrics appointment required contacting USCIS through phone or mail.  The new self-service tool is aimed to provide convenience and accessibility to applicants, benefit requestors, and accredited representatives who may need to modify appointment times before the date of the appointment.

USCIS is providing guidelines in the USCIS Policy Manual to explain how they handle requests to reschedule biometric services appointments. The agency will clarify that an untimely request may be considered, as well as the consequences of not showing up for an appointment. The manual also defines "good cause" for rescheduling, indicating that an applicant must have a valid reason for being unable to attend the scheduled appointment. Valid reasons may include illness, planned travel, important life events, transportation difficulties, work or caregiving obligations, and issues with appointment notices.

ACCESSING THE USCIS RESCHEDULING TOOL

By accessing the USCIS website and creating an online account (https://my.uscis.gov), applicants can navigate to the "Reschedule Biometrics" page and reschedule their appointment. They can then choose a new date and time from the available options. However, applicants using this new tool will be unable to reschedule an appointment online if the appointment has been rescheduled more than two times, is within 12 hours of their appointed time, or if the appointment has already passed, in which case they would have to go through the USCIS Contact Center.

Though the implementation of this new tool encourages applicants to use USCIS’s online services, applicants and accredited representatives will still have the option to call the USCIS Contact Center to reschedule appointments.

CONCLUSION

For any questions or assistance regarding the new self-service USCIS online tool or how to navigate the USCIS website, please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.