Biometrics Appointment Backlog

The Covid-19 pandemic has put a pause on everyone’s lives in 2020 and continues to do so in 2021. Few people have felt it as acutely as legal immigrants waiting for their applications to be processed. 

Unfortunately, one of the key processes in the U.S. immigration process is collecting biometrics information, and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is struggling with a huge backlog. This backlog is causing delays in the process for more than a million applicants. 

Read on to find out what this backlog means, whether it is affecting you, and what to do if your biometrics appointment is delayed. 

What Are Biometrics?

If this is your first time dealing with the U.S. immigration process, it’s important to understand what biometrics is and why you can’t have a successful application without it.

Every human in the world is made up of various biological information that’s unique to them and can be used to identify them. These identifying features are normally made up of fingerprints, eye retinas, voice patterns, and facial features.

These markers are analyzed, scanned in, and categorized by certain technologies into digital information – which is then called biometrics. A person’s biometrics go into a database that can be used to find all the information on the person the biometrics belong to, protecting their identity and potentially matching them up to biometrics recovered at crime scenes. It will also reduce fake visas being used and ensure you are who you say you are.

In the U.S., those exempt from having their biometrics taken in the immigration process are children under the age of 14, persons over the age of 79, foreigners on an A, G, or NATO visas, and certain Taiwanese, Canadian and Mexican citizens.

Biometrics are very difficult to fake and one of the world’s best security tools.

What Are the Biometrics Requirements for Immigration?

This kind of biological information is very important to immigration officials of any government – including the United States of America. They use it to track those crossing their borders and flag any potential threats, like criminal records or ties to terrorist organizations.

The following applications require biometrics:

• Applications for Green Cards
• Change of status
• Travel authorization
• Adjusting permanent residence status
• Extending nonimmigrant status
• Employment authorization documents (EAD).

The only biometrics you need to submit with your application are scans of your fingerprints, which have to be taken at your nearest Application Support Center (ASC).

Normally, you will receive an appointment notice for your biometrics around four to eight weeks after you’ve received a receipt for your application package from the USCIS.

What Is Causing the Biometrics Backlog?

Unfortunately, the biometrics process has been severely backlogged due to the pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the U.S. and the world.

Covid-19 regulations had shut down many USCIS field offices and ASCs have had to function with smaller staff numbers and enforced social distancing policies. They have also had to cancel around 300,000 biometrics appointments last year between March and June, and operations only resumed to 60% of their capacity in July.

In turn, this has badly hampered their processes, including taking biometrics, causing severe delays.

At the moment, applicants are only being issued biometrics appointments between 7 and 11 months after receipt of their application. Normally you wouldn’t have had to wait more than 8 weeks for an appointment.

While the USCIS is trying hard to play catch-up, there are still 1.3 million applicants waiting for their biometrics appointments. In some instances, the USCIS can reuse older biometrics for certain applications, like using a main Green Card application’s biometrics for a Status Change application.

However, this can’t be done for major applications.

Who Is Impacted by the Biometrics Delays?

Want to know if your application might be affected by this extreme delay?

Here are the main application types applicants should be worried about that have been impacted by the pandemic-fuelled backlog:

• B2 Visitor Visa Extensions: If you’re a foreigner stuck in the U.S. due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, you won’t be penalized for overstaying your visa as long as you apply for an extension on your visa. However, these I-539 applicants face indefinite delays with biometrics.
• I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Processing: One of the most important applications affected by the backlog is EAD applications. This means you won’t be able to work while waiting for a renewed EAD if you’re an H4 EAD worker.
• Change of Status: Currently the waiting time for a change of status application is six months, especially for H4 and L2 dependent visa holders who have to provide their biometrics outside of the primary visa holder. Those in this category are also not allowed to use premium processing.
• Re-entry permits for Green Card holders: This applies to Green Card holders who need to leave the U.S. for an extended period of time, yet want to retain their status. They have to apply for an I-131, but unfortunately, this requires biometrics. This means that you won’t be able to leave the U.S. until you’ve had your biometrics appointment and your application is successful.

If you’re unsure if this applies to you, contact the nearest USCIS branch to find out.

What to Do if Your Biometrics Appointment is Delayed

If you do happen to fall under one of those categories, there’s not much you can do besides wait. The USCIS’s offices and ASCs are currently scheduling 10,400 appointments a day, and they are making plans to try to increase this number and get ahead of the backlog.

What you can do in the meantime, is to have all your ducks in a row on your end and ensure all your paperwork is filed as timely as possible. Also, try to have a contingency plan in place for the delays.

If you haven’t seen any progress on your application or haven’t heard from your ASC after six months, make an InfoPass appointment at your nearest USCIS field office to double-check the status of your application. Things might fall through the cracks with the pandemic and it’s important to stay on top of these possibilities.

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Conclusion

We know you’ve waited a long time for your U.S. immigration application to get processed and it can be quite disheartening when you’re faced with delays and backlogs. 

The pandemic has affected almost all facets of our daily lives. If you’re waiting on your biometrics appointment the best thing to do is to take this time to get your documentation in order and get them filed where they need to be. 

Another handy tip is to try to stay on top of any notices published by the USCIS which might give you a better idea of how much longer you’ll have to wait to make your American dream come true.

Biometrics Appointment Backlog FAQ

What is a biometrics appointment?

A biometrics appointment is a crucial step in the U.S. immigration application process. During this appointment, applicants are required to provide their fingerprints, photograph, and signature. The biometric data collected helps the government verify an individual’s identity and conduct background checks as part of the immigration application process.

Why is there a backlog of biometrics appointments?

A backlog of biometrics appointments can occur for various reasons, including:

1. High Application Volume: A surge in immigration applications can overwhelm the capacity of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to schedule and conduct biometrics appointments promptly.
2. COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted USCIS operations, including biometrics appointments, due to safety concerns and office closures.
3. Resource Limitations: USCIS offices may have limited resources, including staff and equipment, to process a high volume of biometrics appointments.
4. Staffing Issues: Shortages of trained personnel to conduct biometrics appointments can contribute to delays.

How does the backlog affect immigration applicants?

The backlog of biometrics appointments can impact immigration applicants in several ways:

1. Processing Delays: Delays in completing biometrics can result in overall processing delays for immigration applications, such as adjustment of status (Form I-485), naturalization (Form N-400), and employment authorization (Form I-765).
2. Work Authorization Holdup: For certain applicants, such as those filing for employment authorization, the delay in biometrics can lead to a holdup in receiving their work permits.
3. Travel Restrictions: Travel documents like advance parole (Form I-131) may also be delayed, affecting an applicant’s ability to travel outside the U.S. while their application is pending.
4. Uncertainty: Applicants may experience uncertainty about the progress of their immigration cases, causing anxiety and frustration.

How can applicants check the status of their biometrics appointment?

Applicants can check the status of their biometrics appointment by using the USCIS Case Status Online tool or by contacting the USCIS Contact Center. The online tool allows applicants to track the progress of their case, including the scheduling and completion of the biometrics appointment.

Can applicants request expedited biometrics appointments?

In some cases, applicants can request expedited biometrics appointments if they have urgent travel or employment needs. USCIS may consider expedited requests on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should follow the instructions on the USCIS website for requesting an expedited appointment.

What can applicants do to address biometrics appointment delays?

Applicants facing biometrics appointment delays can take the following steps:

1. Monitor Case Status: Regularly check the USCIS Case Status Online tool for updates on the scheduling and completion of the biometrics appointment.
2. Contact USCIS: If the delay is causing significant hardship, contact the USCIS Contact Center to inquire about the status of your case and the possibility of expedited processing.
3. Seek Legal Advice: Consider consulting an immigration attorney for guidance on addressing the delay and exploring potential legal remedies.
4. Be Patient: While delays can be frustrating, it’s essential to remain patient and monitor your case’s progress as USCIS works to address the backlog.

Is USCIS taking any measures to reduce the biometrics appointment backlog?

USCIS has implemented several measures to address the biometrics appointment backlog, including hiring additional staff, expanding appointment hours, and utilizing mobile biometrics units to conduct appointments at off-site locations. USCIS continues to make efforts to reduce the backlog and improve processing times. Applicants should check the USCIS website for updates and announcements related to biometrics appointments.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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