Biometrics

[Lovemad 7]

Hi everyone,

I arrived in the US at the end of May on an IR-1 visa, all of my processing was undertaken at the US consulate in London and my husband and I had to send the necessary documents to the NVC. We did NOT adjust status. I am slightly confused, or maybe just completely missed this. But I am waiting for my GC to arrive and according to my case status on the USCIS website, my GC is on its way to me and should arrive at some point this week. This is all straightforward to me, however where my confusion arises is when I received an ASC Appointment notice for Biometrics which is scheduled to take place next week. Please correct me if I am wrong, but as we went through the IR-1 route am I required to go through biometrics? It was my understanding that this applied only if taking the AOS route, when applying for removal of conditions for CR-1 visa holders or during the naturalization process. I have no issues with attending a biometrics appointment but was not aware that it was required for the IR-1 route. I would be most grateful if someone could clarify this for me? Thanks again.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Your biometrics were taken at the interview in London (remember when you did your fingerprints?). I don't understand why they would be calling you back in for more biometrics - it could just be a mistake. I suppose there is a chance that they've lost/messed up the biometrics you already gave? Can you call the place where they want you to do your biometrics appointment and ask what the deal is?

You shouldn't need to do anything else now until you want to naturalize (since as an IR-1 you'll be getting your 10 year green card).

[Lovemad 7]

Your biometrics were taken at the interview in London (remember when you did your fingerprints?). I don't understand why they would be calling you back in for more biometrics - it could just be a mistake. I suppose there is a chance that they've lost/messed up the biometrics you already gave? Can you call the place where they want you to do your biometrics appointment and ask what the deal is?

You shouldn't need to do anything else now until you want to naturalize (since as an IR-1 you'll be getting your 10 year green card).

Thank you lost_at_sea for your reply. It certainly appears like a mistake to me, unless they have lost the fingerprints which they took in London. On my appointment notice, there is no number for the facility other than the general customer service line. I will try to give that number a call and see where it goes from there. I will keep all of the folks at VJ updated with any developments.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thank you lost_at_sea for your reply. It certainly appears like a mistake to me, unless they have lost the fingerprints which they took in London. On my appointment notice, there is no number for the facility other than the general customer service line. I will try to give that number a call and see where it goes from there. I will keep all of the folks at VJ updated with any developments.

I remember a K1 who got a biometric notice that had another person's case number and barcode on it so mistakes happen. But you don't even have a new USCIS case number or AOS application so kinda weird. Do you have one (or two) barcodes on your notice? Normally there would be case numbers--AOS and/or EAD.

[Lovemad 7]

I remember a K1 who got a biometric notice that had another person's case number and barcode on it so mistakes happen. But you don't even have a new USCIS case number or AOS application so kinda weird. Do you have one (or two) barcodes on your notice? Normally there would be case numbers--AOS and/or EAD.

Nich-Nick, there is only one barcode on my notice. It lists my case type as OS155A Immigrant Visa. My A # is the same as the one which was previously assigned to me and my application number begins with SRC and is the same as that on other correspondence which I received from USCIS, such as my welcome notice. I have received my SSN but on the appointment notice it is blank in the space for SSN. Last night when I entered my application number on the USCIS website, it said that my card (presumably my GC) was dispatched on July 26 and should arrive this week. However, when I have tried to check my case status today, it appears the site is down (and I have tried with two different browsers). I will call USCIS tomorrow and hopefully get some answers. I will let others on VJ know how I get on.

[Lovemad 7]

Just on the phone with USCIS to ask why I have to have biometrics taken again, the customer service agent said that it could be because my fingerprints did not take in the US embassy in London but she cannot specify why, for that she'd need to transfer me. So I am now on hold with USCIS, waiting to speak to a tier 2 agent presumably. I find it unbelievable that my fingerprints could not have taken in London because how would then have been able to verify my fingerprints at the POE, if this was the case. I will post again once I hopefully have an answer.

[Lovemad 7]

Well I just came off the phone with the tier 2 agent who was none the wiser as to why I am required to attend an appointment for biometrics again. She did say it could be for a photograph or a signature, not necessarily fingerprints, although she said it is rare for a permanent resident (IR-1) being required to have biometrics taken again. I asked if it's because my biometrics could have been misplaced and she said no. I was advised that the best thing for me to do would be to attend this appointment, as it is only the Appointment center which could advise me why I received this notice. My appointment is scheduled for August 6, so I will be sure to update you all with what happens.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Well I just came off the phone with the tier 2 agent who was none the wiser as to why I am required to attend an appointment for biometrics again. She did say it could be for a photograph or a signature, not necessarily fingerprints, although she said it is rare for a permanent resident (IR-1) being required to have biometrics taken again. I asked if it's because my biometrics could have been misplaced and she said no. I was advised that the best thing for me to do would be to attend this appointment, as it is only the Appointment center which could advise me why I received this notice. My appointment is scheduled for August 6, so I will be sure to update you all with what happens.

If USCIS needed anything further from you, they wouldn't have issued your GC which is on the way, right? And the Tier 2 should have had something in the file notes that said waiting on ______.

If you go to the ACS, I hope it's close. Some people have 3 hr drives to theirs. You don't have to wait for Aug 6 to pop in to the ACS and ask. Just take your notice and walk in. Many K1s get their biometrics done days early by showing up with their notice. Afternoons are less busy.

[Lovemad 7]

If USCIS needed anything further from you, they wouldn't have issued your GC which is on the way, right? And the Tier 2 should have had something in the file notes that said waiting on ______.

If you go to the ACS, I hope it's close. Some people have 3 hr drives to theirs. You don't have to wait for Aug 6 to pop in to the ACS and ask. Just take your notice and walk in. Many K1s get their biometrics done days early by showing up with their notice. Afternoons are less busy.

You're right Nich-Nick, my GC is on the way and according to tracking from USPS is scheduled to arrive today, though I am aware that it may or may not. Luckily the ASC is not too far, about a 20 minute drive from where I stay. I may well just pop in once I receive my GC to find out what is going on, thanks for the heads up on that. I will keep you all posted.

[Lovemad 7]

GC arrived today! So happy, but just need to sort out this issue with what they want in terms of biometrics.

[NikLR 13,220]

YAY for green card! Remember to take it with you when you go to your appt.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

GC arrived today! So happy, but just need to sort out this issue with what they want in terms of biometrics.

I think it was a mistake. You wouldn't have a greencard in your hand if they really needed anything from you.

[Darnell 8,478]

remember, you can try a 'walk-in' at the ASC prior to the appointment date. Gotta schmooze with the guards, though - sometimes they not let you in, if there is heavy traffic inside the ASC.

[Lovemad 7]

Went to my biometrics appointment today and given the discussion on here at VJ, I genuinely thought they would send me back and tell me it had just been a mistake, especially as I was also sent duplicate welcome notices on two different occasions prior to receiving my greencard. However, my fingerprints were taken by a woman wearing gloves and they were taken more thoroughly than at the POE or consulate. She went through pretty much each of my fingers and moved them around from side to side to take the entire fingerprint. I was then required to provide my signature and had my photograph taken. I asked the woman who took my biometrics why I had been called for biometrics again after I had them taken at the U.S. consulate. She didn't have a clue, somewhat unsurprising, so I guess I am none the wiser as to why I was required to go. I have no criminal record and went through the IR-1 route. Any thoughts?

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Went to my biometrics appointment today and given the discussion on here at VJ, I genuinely thought they would send me back and tell me it had just been a mistake, especially as I was also sent duplicate welcome notices on two different occasions prior to receiving my greencard. However, my fingerprints were taken by a woman wearing gloves and they were taken more thoroughly than at the POE or consulate. She went through pretty much each of my fingers and moved them around from side to side to take the entire fingerprint. I was then required to provide my signature and had my photograph taken. I asked the woman who took my biometrics why I had been called for biometrics again after I had them taken at the U.S. consulate. She didn't have a clue, somewhat unsurprising, so I guess I am none the wiser as to why I was required to go. I have no criminal record and went through the IR-1 route. Any thoughts?

Yeah--my thoughts are still that it was a mistake. You have a greencard. You were done.

Since you showed up and had a letter, the technician did her job. That's what biometric appointments are like for K1s. Spouse immigrant visas don't require that. You'll do it again for removing conditions and citizenship.