February 19, 2008

USCIS Consolidates Biometrics Appointment Letter Into One Notice for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applicants

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that as of February 15, 2008 it will begin consolidating biometrics collection when employment-based adjustment of status applications  and employment authorization requests are filed at the same time at one of the Service Centers.  USCIS will collect biometrics for both forms in one visit to the ASC, ensuring that each application is processed in a timely manner and eliminating the need for multiple visits to the ASC for one underlying application. Also, customers will only need to submit one biometrics fee ($80) with the I-485.

This change will not benefit applicants who do not file the I-765 Application for Employment Authorization concurrently with the I-485 Adjustment of Status application. Also, applicants who filed concurrently before this notice and have received two notices from the ASC are still required to attend both appointments.  This process mirrors the one already in place for applicants who file family based I-485 and concurrent I-765 applications at the Chicago Lockbox facility or through online e-filing.