BIOMETRICS INSTRUCTIONS – FAMILY CASES
Rev 2-22-2005
In connection with the Form I-485 adjustment of status application (permanent residence), USCIS forwards to the applicant (or attorney) filing receipts received from the National Benefits Center (NBC) at the Missouri Service Center (MSC) where the case will be initially processed. Please note that all family-based cases are now filed directly with the MSC (in most cases) but that once the initial processing of the case is conducted at the MSC, the case will be further processed at the local USCIS (Immigration) office nearest to the applicant’s home where the applicant will most likely be interviewed some time in the future. Before the case can proceed further, however, the applicant follow the below instructions concerning Biometrics.
IMPORTANT FILING RECEIPTS TO HAVE AND MAINTAIN IN THE APPLICANT’S POSSESSION
While the applicant may have received several filing receipts, the important ones are the following:
1. Form I-485 (adjustment of status application);
2. Form I-765 (work permit) application, if applied for; and
3. Form I-131 (travel permit) application, if applied for.
Please note that not everyone who has applied for adjustment of status has also filed a Form I-131 application for advance parole (travel permit) as certain individuals should not travel outside the USA while the I-485 adjustment of status application is pending. Likewise, certain individuals may have chosen not to apply for I-765 (work permit). Therefore, all applicants will have at least an I-485 filing receipt and some applicants may have filing receipts for either Form I-131 or Form I-765 or both.
REQUIRED FINGERPRINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHING (BIOMETRICS)
PLEASE NOTE that the applicant is required to have fingerprints and photos taken by USCIS (referred to a BIOMETRICS) at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) nearest to the applicant’s home. In order to have the photos and fingerprints taken, the applicant will have to call the (800) number provided in the filing receipts.
If the applicant does not call the number and schedule an interview for the taking of photos and fingerprints, the application for permanent residence may be cancelled and any application the applicant may have made for an employment authorization document (EAD) and/or advance parole (travel permit), if applied for, will not be approved
Please, carefully read the instructions in all filing receipts and the below instructions carefully before calling the ASC.
Please note that the photographing that will be a part of the Biometrics processing is separate and apart from any photographs the applicant may have submitted at the time of the application. Please do not assume that the applicant need not be photographed by the ASC because he/she has already submitted regular photographs at the time of filing.
Any photographing and fingerprinting by the ASC will be captured digitally (converted into electronic data) and maintained in the USCIS database. The digitized fingerprints will also be forwarded electronically to the FBI and, CIA and other law enforcement authorities to conduct background checks.
MECHANICS OF MAKING THE CALL
Please note that the applicant should call at the National Customer Service (NCS) at 1-800-375-5283 immediately and that the applicant should have the Biometrics processing done as soon as possible.
When the applicant calls the NCS, the applicant will first have to choose the language in which the applicant want to hear the recorded instructions.
Once the applicant has chosen a language, the automated system will give the applicant several options; please select the “case already filed” option.
After that, the applicant will be given several more options; select the “schedule an appointment” option.
Then after that, the applicant will be given other options; please select the “fingerprinting” option.
Then the applicant will be asked to enter the applicant’s zip code. Once the applicant has entered the zip code and the applicant verifies that it has been entered correctly, the automated system will provide the applicant with information about the ASC nearest to the applicant’s home. The system will provide the applicant with the ASC address, days and hours of operation.
Then the automated system will give the applicant three options according to ASC CODE provided in the filing receipt (the ASC code is at the top of the receipt in the middle of the page).
The main ASC code is the one assigned to the I-485 adjustment of status application which is:
ASC CODE 3.
If the applicant has received three filing receipts containing ASC codes as, for example:
ASC CODE 1 (for Form I-131 -parole application),
ASC CODE 2 (for Form I-765 -work permit), and
ASC CODE 3 (for the I-485 adjustment of status application),
then the applicant should select ASC CODE 3 for the I-485 adjustment of status application and when the Customer Service Specialist eventually speaks to the applicant, the applicant should explain that the applicant has received several filing receipts with several ASC codes. The Customer Service Specialist will then give the applicant ONE appointment for all several kinds of applications the applicant may have made.
The applicant should have all filing receipts in available when the applicant calls as the applicant may be asked questions about information contained in each of them. Please also have pencil and paper so the applicant can write any address and information provided to the applicant.
BRING ALL FILING RECEIPTS TO THE ASC
The instructions clearly state that the applicant should bring ALL filing receipts when the applicant go to the Application Support Center (ASC). The main filing receipt is for the I-485 adjustment of status application as well the I-765 EAD (work permit), and the I-131 (travel permit), if applied for. The applicant may also have received an I-130 (relative immigrant visa petition) and even an I-864 filing receipt. Please bring them all when the applicant goes to the ASC for Biometrics processing.
CHILDREN UNDER 14
Children who are under 14 years of age will NOT be fingerprinted. But if they have filed a Form I-131 (advance parole) application, they will be photographed.
PHOTO IDENTIFICATION TO BRING TO THE ASC
The instructions in the filing receipts also state that the applicant should bring PHOTO IDENTIFICATION (passport, driver’s license, military photo ID or state photo ID - if the applicant have more than one, please bring all).
Please note that if the applicant does not bring the filing receipts and photo identification as requested, USCIS cannot process the applicant for Biometrics.
DO NOT DESTROY OR DISCARD THE FILING RECEIPTS
The filing receipts should NOT be destroyed or discarded while the I-485 adjustment of status application is pending as they will be necessary for many other purposes. For example, the Department of Motor Vehicles in Florida will issue a driver’s license for two years to someone who is in possession of an original I-485 filing receipt.
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POLATSEK, Counsellors at Law