Biometrics - for AOS *and* EAD?

[americangirl 0]

If you are mailing an AOS package with an EAD application, do you have to pay the biometric fee twice?

He's had fingerprints taken at customs, and has an EAD now, but he wasn't fingerprinted for it (it was handled through our university) and his card says "fingerprints not available." He's applying for a new EAD, since his current one can't be renewed (it's an F-1).

We added the $70 biometric fee to the AOS check, but not to the EAD check. Is the application going to be sent back or, worse, rejected outright?

I'll call USCIS in the morning...but I wanted to see if anyone here knew first.

[Cassie 8]

The biometrics fee is for the AOS process only. There isn't a separate fee for the fingerprint and picture taken for the EAD card -- it's included as part of the EAD fee.

[americangirl 0]

The biometrics fee is for the AOS process only. There isn't a separate fee for the fingerprint and picture taken for the EAD card -- it's included as part of the EAD fee.

See, that's what I thought, but the USCIS website says the filing fee is "$180 base fee, plus $70 biometrics services fee if you have not already been fingerprinted for another immigration benefit."

He hasn't been fingerprinted for another immigration benefit. But we only paid the $180 base fee. And I'm assuming he'll have to do the EAD biometrics before the AOS...??

[Cassie 8]

The biometrics fee is for the AOS process only. There isn't a separate fee for the fingerprint and picture taken for the EAD card -- it's included as part of the EAD fee.

See, that's what I thought, but the USCIS website says the filing fee is "$180 base fee, plus $70 biometrics services fee if you have not already been fingerprinted for another immigration benefit."

He hasn't been fingerprinted for another immigration benefit. But we only paid the $180 base fee. And I'm assuming he'll have to do the EAD biometrics before the AOS...??

hrm, good question. All I can tell you is that when I had mine done, I had my EAD appointment first, and did not have to pay the $70. Dunno.

[americangirl 0]

Posting this in case anyone else has this question in the future:

I called USCIS this morning and asked about this issue. At first, the woman told me that he would have to get separate EAD and AOS biometrics, and that we had to pay separately. I was petrified...I asked if I could send a separate check...she said no, that the application would be sent back to me and I could mail it back with the money. (Gee, I guess it's nice that it wouldn't just be denied outright...)

I kept pressing to see if there was anything I could do, and finally she asked, "What amount did you write out for your I-765 check?" I replied, "$180." She said, "Oh, then you'll be fine. The biometrics is included in that fee" (which is what I'd read here, but on the website it says there is a $70 biometrics fee on TOP of the $180 fee).

So I'm banking on the fact that she's right and the website is wrong...I guess we'll see! The website does contradict itself quite a bit, so I don't really trust anything on it.

[Oomer 0]

i filed for AOS and EAD together so i enclosed 2 money orders. One $ 395 (AOS + biometrics) and Other $ 180 for EAD.

ANS