Category: Biometrics

I-539 Form Applicants are Exempts from Biometrics Fee Effective October 1 2023

9/25/2023

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On September 25, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is exempting the biometric services fee for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Beginning October 1, 2023, USCIS will exempt the $85 biometric services fee as part of the application process for Form I-539.

You do not need to pay the fee if your application is postmarked Oct. 1 or later.

However, if you file Form I-539 prior to Oct. 1, certain filers will still be scheduled for an ASC appointment and should still attend that appointment as scheduled.

In most cases, after Oct. 1 applicants will not be scheduled to attend a biometric services appointment. However, if USCIS determines that biometrics are required, the applicant will receive a notice with information about appearing for their biometric services appointment.

If you mistakenly submit the biometric services fee and the payment is submitted separately from the Form I-539 fee, we will return the biometric services fee and accept the Form I-539.

If you mistakenly submit the biometric services fee and the payment is combined with a paper-based Form I-539 filing fee, this is considered an incorrect filing and we will reject the Form I-539. If you mistakenly authorize a credit card payment that combines the biometric services fee with the Form I-539 application fee, we will accept the application, and only charge the application fee. The biometric services fee exemption will apply to all applicants filing on or after Oct.1, including those applicants filing Form I-539 requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, or E nonimmigrant for whom USCIS had previously suspended the biometrics requirement through Sept. 30, 2023. As mentioned in the USCIS Fiscal Year 2022 Progress Report (PDF, 1.08 MB) (PDF, 1.08 MB), we are committed to accomplishing our goal of removing the biometric services fee and requirement for all Form I-539 applicants.

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Начиная с 1 октября 2023 USCIS отменил госпошлину за отпечатки пальцев US$85 лицам, подающим заявление на смену или продление статуса в США, по форме I-539.

До 1 октября, нужно оплачивать госпошлину $85. После 1 октября, госпошлина за отпечатки больше не нужна.

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Biometrics Appointment Can be Rescheduled Online

7/7/2023

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On June 28, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services launched 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.
Previously, benefit requestors and accredited representatives could only request to reschedule a biometric services appointment by calling the USCIS Contact Center. With this new tool, those individuals who have or create a USCIS online account can reschedule most requests for biometric services appointments without having to call the Contact Center.

The new tool, however, cannot be used to reschedule an appointment that already has been rescheduled two or more times, is within 12 hours, or that has already passed.
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 USCIS strongly encourages users to use the new tool to save time, increase efficiency, and reduce call volume to the USCIS Contact Center.
USCIS is also issuing 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.

Sufficient reasons 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 the appointment location;
Inability to obtain leave from employment or caregiver responsibilities; and
Late delivered or undelivered biometric services appointment notice.

USCIS only accepts untimely rescheduling requests made to the USCIS Contact Center and does not accept untimely requests to reschedule by mail or in-person at a USCIS office or through the myUSCIS online rescheduling tool.

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USCIS Temp Suspended Biometrics for Some I-539 Until September 30 2023

4/19/2023

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USCIS has extended the temporary suspension of the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, or E nonimmigrant status. The previously announced suspension, which was initially in place until May 17, 2023, has been extended through Sept. 30, 2023.

USCIS will allow adjudications for those specific categories to proceed based on biographic information and related background checks, without capturing fingerprints and a photograph. However, we retain discretion, on a case-by-case basis, to require biometrics for any applicant, and applicants may be scheduled for an application support center appointment to submit biometrics.
As a reminder, if you are a Form I-539 applicant meeting the biometrics suspension criteria, you do not need to submit the $85 biometric services fee for Form I-539 during the suspension period.

USCIS will return a biometric services fee if submitted separately from the base fee and will reject paper Form I-539 applications if you meet the above criteria and submit a single payment covering both the filing fee and the $85 biometrics services fee. If we reject the paper application because you included the $85 biometrics service fee, you will need to re-file Form I-539 without the biometric services fee.
As mentioned in the USCIS Fiscal Year 2022 Progress Report, USCIS plans on establishing a permanent biometrics exemption for all Form I-539 applicants in the coming months. For additional information on the temporary suspension, please see the 2021 announcement.

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ALERT: Rescheduling Appointments Due to the Coronavirus COVID-19

3/12/2020

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USCIS #COVID19 Announcement: If You Feel Sick, Please Consider Canceling and Rescheduling Your USCIS Appointment.
ALERT: Rescheduling Appointments Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you become ill for any reason, regardless of whether you were exposed to COVID-19, please do not come to appointments with any USCIS office.
Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule your appointment or interview if you:

Were in any country designated as a "level 3" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within 14 days of your appointment;
Believe that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 (even if you were not recently in any level 3 country); or
Are experiencing flu-like symptoms (such as a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat or fever).
USCIS wants to ensure the safety of those whom we serve and our employees. Please do not visit a USCIS office if you are sick or start to feel symptoms of being sick. We will help you reschedule your appointment, without penalty, when you are better. If you have an illness or are exhibiting symptoms, we recommend you cancel and reschedule your USCIS appointment. Some illnesses and symptoms include:

A cold or the flu
Fever or nausea
Severe headaches or body aches
Muscle or stomach pain, chest pain or difficulty breathing
Vomiting or diarrhea
Active tuberculosis (TB)
Mumps, measles, chickenpox
Other contagious disease
If you need to reschedule an appointment

Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule your appointment. There is no penalty if you reschedule your appointment.

***If you come to a USCIS office when you are sick

For the safety of our employees and those that we serve, if you or someone with you appears ill or meets any of the conditions listed above, the OFFICER may CANCEL your appointment or interview. We will assist you in rescheduling your appointment, without any penalty.

https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-a-uscis-office/if-you-feel-sick-please-consider-canceling-and-rescheduling-your-uscis-appointment

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Revised USCIS Form I-539 Effective Date: March 11, 2019

2/11/2019

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USCIS revised Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and will publish the revised form on March 11, 2019.

This application is used by foreign nationals already in the USA, who apply to either extend or change their status in USA (visitors, tourists, students, etc).

Starting on March 11, 2019, USCIS will only accept the new revised Form I-539 with an edition date of 02/04/19. USCIS will also publish a new Form I-539A, Supplement to Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Form I-539A replaces the Supplement A provided in previous versions of Form I-539.

The revised Form I-539 includes the following changes:
--> Every co-applicant included on the primary applicant’s Form I-539 must submit and sign a separate Form I-539A, which will be available on the Form I-539 webpage on March 11, 2019.
--> Parents or guardians may sign on behalf of children under 14 or any co-applicant who is not mentally competent to sign.
--> Every applicant and co-applicant will have to pay an $85 biometric services fee.
--> Every applicant and co-applicant will receive a biometrics appointment notice, regardless of age, containing their individual receipt number.
--> USCIS will reject any Form I-539 that is missing any of the required signatures or biometrics fees, including those required for Form I-539A.

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How USCIS Can Help People in Unforeseen Circumstances or Affected by Wildfires?

8/15/2018

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How USCIS can help people affected by wildfires in California and other unforeseen circumstances?

On a discretionary basis and upon request, USCIS offers the following immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances:

--Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States.
--Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
--Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employmentauthorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
--Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where appropriate;
--Consideration of fee waivers due to an inability to pay;
--Extension of response time or acceptance of a late response to a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent;
--Rescheduling an interview with USCIS;
--Expedited replacement of lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card);
--Rescheduling a biometrics appointment.

Note: When making a request, please explain how the wildfires in California or other unforeseen circumstances are related to the need for the requested relief.

Read more here.

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Houston Texas ASC and USCIS Office Post-Hurricane Schedule

9/1/2017

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,All Houston Application Support Centers (ASCs) will resume operations Sept. 5 2017 at 8 a.m. (Central) for basic services, such as collection of fingerprints, photos, and signatures. However, the ASCs will not be fully staffed. This means customers requiring additional services (such as looking up case information or issuing extension stickers) may need to return to the ASC after all USCIS staff have been able to return to duty.

Many Houston-area applicants are unable to travel to their scheduled ASC appointments. If you cannot attend your biometrics appointment between Aug. 25 and Sept. 22:

USCIS will automatically reschedule your appointment.
You will receive a new appointment notice by mail approximately 4 weeks from your original appointment date.

If you do not receive a new appointment by mail, you can contact the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 800-375-5283.

If you have an emergency and cannot wait for a new appointment notice by mail, please call the NCSC or visit an ASC as a walk-in customer.
If you cannot receive mail at your location and wish to be processed at a different location, please call the NCSC or take your current appointment notice to another ASC. If you do not have a copy of your current appointment notice, any ASC can print one for you.

Please check USCIS Office Closings page to get the latest updates before coming to an appointment.

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USCIS Alerts: Immigration Services Available to People Affected by Hurricane Harvey in Houston, TX

8/30/2017

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USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as Hurricane Harvey.

The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:

Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States. Failure to apply for the extension or change before expiration of your authorized period of admission may be excused if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control;
Re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where appropriate;
Consideration of fee waivers due to an inability to pay;
Assistance for those who received a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny but were unable to submit evidence or otherwise respond in a timely manner;
Assistance if you were unable to appear for a scheduled interview with USCIS;
Expedited replacement of lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card); and
Rescheduling a biometrics appointment.

Note: When making a request, please explain how the impact of Hurricane Harvey created a need for the requested relief.

To learn how to request these measures or determine if an office is open, call the National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283.

If you require assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our office at email.

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Changes to Naturalization Application, USCIS N-400

9/22/2016

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USCIS published two important updates to filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (aka Application for U.S. citizenship), now that it is processed electronically.

All applicants (except those who reside overseas):

No longer need to submit two passport-style photographs. We will capture their photographs when they appear at the Application Support Center (ASC) for their biometrics appointment.
Will be scheduled for a biometric service appointment at a local ASC for collection of their fingerprints, photographs and signature, regardless of their age.

USCIS used to waive the fingerprint requirement for applicants 75 years or older, which meant they were not required to appear at an ASC. However, now that this form is processed electronically, those applicants do need to appear at an ASC. Our improved technology means we can capture fingerprints for applicants of all ages. This enhances our ability to confirm their identity and perform required background checks. Applicants aged 75 and older do not have to pay the biometrics fee.
All domestic USCIS facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. However, USCIS can make special arrangements to accommodate the needs of the elderly and applicants with disabilities, who are homebound or hospitalized. This is known as homebound processing. Applicants who need to request an accommodation for their appointment can submit a service request online or call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at any time at 800-375-5283 (TDD: 800-767-1833).

Please note: At this time, you cannot submit Form N-400 applications online.

Beginning April 13, 2016, applicants who submit the revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (dated March 26, 2016) may be invited to create a USCIS online account to track and manage their case online depending on how their form is processed. If you submit the revised Form N-400, you may receive a USCIS Account Acceptance Notice in the mail with instructions on how to create a USCIS online account. USCIS will continue processing your application even if you choose not to access your online account. USCIS also will continue to send you copies of notifications about your case by mail through the U.S. Postal Service.

Briefly in Russian: вкратце по-русски.

Произведены два важных изменения при подаче заявления на натурализацию (гражданство) США, форма N-400.

(1) вам не нужно подавать паспортные фото с вашим заявлением,
и
(2) вне зависимости от возраста, вас пригласят на отпечатки пальцев, фото и образец подписи.

Ранее лица старше 75 были освобождены от требования отпечатков пальцев. На сегодняшний день лица любого возраста будут приглашены на отпечатки пальцев, но лица старше 75 освобождены от уплаты 85 долларов за отпечатки.

Новая форма N-400 пока подается по почте, но рассматривается электронно. USCIS пришлет вам приглашение создать свой аккаунт онлайн.

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Temporary glitch with scheduling Biometrics appointments at Vermont Service Center, USCIS VSC.

2/9/2015

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The Vermont Service Center USCIS is currently experiencing problems with its biometric scheduling system, which has resulted in a temporary halt in sending biometrics notices in all cases at VSC with the exception of TPS-related applications.

The glitch affects cases that were filed with VSC USCIS in December 2014 and January 2015. VSC is working on the problems and expects to begin sending notifications on or around February 12, 2015 to individuals whose applications were filed in December and January.

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I-539 Form Applicants are Exempts from Biometrics Fee Effective October 1 2023

Biometrics Appointment Can be Rescheduled Online

USCIS Temp Suspended Biometrics for Some I-539 Until September 30 2023

ALERT: Rescheduling Appointments Due to the Coronavirus COVID-19

Revised USCIS Form I-539 Effective Date: March 11, 2019

How USCIS Can Help People in Unforeseen Circumstances or Affected by Wildfires?

Houston Texas ASC and USCIS Office Post-Hurricane Schedule

USCIS Alerts: Immigration Services Available to People Affected by Hurricane Harvey in Houston, TX

Changes to Naturalization Application, USCIS N-400

Temporary glitch with scheduling Biometrics appointments at Vermont Service Center, USCIS VSC.

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