Applicants with a pending application with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are now able to reschedule most biometric services (fingerprinting) appointments online before their appointment date through their myUSCIS online account in most cases.
Before, applicants could only reschedule their biometric services appointment by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. Applicants now also have the option to use their existing USCIS account or create an online account to submit a rescheduling request without having to call the Contact Center. This service is available to applicants regardless of whether their case was submitted online or by mail. However, appointments that have been rescheduled two or more times, are within 12 hours, or have already passed cannot be rescheduled using the online tool.
USCIS also released clarification on what the agency considers “good cause” for an applicant’s inability to appear for an appointment and for a reschedule request to be approved. Sufficient reasons USCIS will consider may include, but are not limited to:
- Illness, medical appointment, or hospitalization;
- Previously planned travel;
- Significant life events, such as a wedding, funeral, or graduation ceremony;
- Inability to obtain transportation to appointment location;
- Inability to obtain leave from employment or caregiver responsibilities; and
- Late delivered or undelivered biometric services appointment notice.
If an applicant fails to reschedule before their existing appointment or fails to show “good cause” to reschedule, USCIS may consider the applicant’s case abandoned and may deny the application. However, the agency may consider the applicant’s circumstances and use its discretion to determine whether an application was not abandoned and whether to approve a reschedule request. Reschedule requests made after a missed appointment can only be made by calling the USCIS Contact Center.
If you have any questions regarding the new rescheduling tool, need assistance with rescheduling your biometrics appointment, or any other immigration related matter, please do not hesitate to contact KILO Immigration by filling out this contact form.