The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to provide clarity on rescheduling biometric services appointments and the consequences of missing these appointments. Please continue reading and reach out to a seasoned New York City immigration lawyer from the Lightman Law Firm to learn more about the recent policy change and how our firm can assist you.
Background Information On Biometric Services Appointments
Biometric services appointments play a vital role in the immigration process, as they involve the collection of fingerprints, photographs, and signatures for identity verification. These appointments are a mandatory part of many immigration applications.
Rescheduling Appointments
To streamline the process, USCIS has introduced a new policy update regarding the rescheduling of biometric services appointments. Under the updated policy, individuals who need to reschedule their appointments must do so through their myUSCIS online account or by contacting the USCIS Contact Center. It’s important to note that USCIS no longer accepts rescheduling requests by mail or in person at USCIS offices.
Evaluating Timely Reschedule Requests
USCIS has provided guidance on evaluating requests to reschedule biometric services appointments for “good cause.” The updated policy clarifies the criteria that USCIS considers when determining whether a rescheduling request qualifies as “good cause.” This may include circumstances such as medical emergencies, travel conflicts, or other significant reasons that prevent an individual from attending the scheduled biometric services appointment.
Missed Biometric Services Appointments
The new policy addresses the consequences of missing a scheduled biometric services appointment; if an individual fails to appear for their appointment without providing timely notice of a change of address or a valid request to reschedule, USCIS may consider the benefit request abandoned and denied. However, USCIS acknowledges that exceptional circumstances may warrant excusing the failure to appear and provides a framework for evaluating untimely rescheduling requests.
In all, the recent USCIS policy guidance provides clarity on rescheduling appointments and the consequences of missing them. If you have any further questions or need an attorney to help you through the immigration process, don’t hesitate to contact the Lightman Law Firm today.
