Are biometrics still needed for EAD?

[KellyS91 0]

Hello!

Quick timeline info...

Mailed AOS with EAD/AP on August 15th. Received the NOA1 for all three applications on August 17th.

On 17th October I received my approval for the AP (I-131) I applied for the AP and EAD together, the combo card. I thought it was weird that I hadn't even received a biometrics appt for my EAD, yet my AP had been approved. I called USCIS and explained I still hadn't received a biometrics appointment letter. They said they would look into it and have someone call me with an appt date. It's been almost a month now and no news.

I called USCIS again on Friday and explained the situation. The lady on the phone said that my biometrics appointment was not required. She explained that because I had my fingerprints taken back in England in June, when I had my K1 visa interview at the embassy, that I didn't need to have it done again.

She said to just wait for my EAD/AP combo card to come in the mail once they've both been approved.

Is this correct? I was under the impression that I had to have my biometrics taken in the US? And it's has almost been 3 months now and I haven't even had an appointment scheduled. If anyone knows anything about this, I'd really appreciate some info as I am starting to get very confused!

I also paid the $ 85 fee for biometrics when I applied for my AOS and she said that I could claim it back because I don't need to have it done?

Thanks!

Kelly

[JessDak 27]

I'm not even sure what USCIS is doing anymore. I applied for all three back in July and got my NOAs late July. Did my Biometrics on the 7th of October and almost immediately got a notice sent to me for my AOS (It was sent back so I don't know what it was yet). But my EAD and AP seem to still be in process as neither show up as valid numbers on the system. And when I called on Oct 10th after doing Biometrics I was told by tier 2 that all three applications are 'pending' that's it.

I'd like to know what people respond to this as I'm a bit lost as what to do with my case. I haven't even gotten any confirmation that they corrected my address in their system (the reason my notice was returned). ::Sigh::

Edit: I still had to do biometrics even though I had mine done in the Bahamas before entering the US in May....so again...a bit confused as to what's going on at USCIS right now

Edited October 24, 2016 by JessDak

[ilovepho 21]

I have NOA of Aug 17th too and a lot of people with same NOA letter date haven't received biometric letter. I'm still waiting the 30-day-waiting period to end for biometric appointment.

However, that is great news that you have right there. You received EAD/AP on time and sometimes it takes months for people to receive it. You now can work if you want to...

The next step you need to do is to wait for the the interview letter.

Best of luck.

[lifesjourneys 1]

Think its a case where they are making the rules up as they go along. I filed my AoS in July, got a biometric appointment and went. A month later filed for ead and ap. Got another biometric appointment.

Went and the man explained that they needed to send my fingerprints to the people that do the ead. When you file all 3 at the same time, they can electronically send them to all the different places with the push of a button.

[blackeyedsusan 29]

Oh this is very interesting. We have almost the exact situation. NOA dated August 17, AP approved on October 19, still waiting for biometrics and any word on the EAD or green card. Opened a service request on October 5 but nothing since then. I'm glad to read your post just so I know we're not alone!