March 10, 2008

Applying for Re-Entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents? Biometrics Needed! 

USCIS has announced that effective on March 5, 2008, applicants for re-entry permits and refugee travel documents between the ages of 14 and 79 will need to provide biometrics, (eg fingerprints and photographs) at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC). The biometrics will allow for background and security checks and will ensure that the travel and entry documents become more secure as they will contain biometric identifiers. USCIS will schedule the applicants for a biometrics appointments at a designated ASC . The added biometrics requirement will increase the total filing fee by $80 for the added biometrics fees.

As always, applicants are urged to apply well in advance of their anticipated travel dates to allow time for the added time that the new biometrics requirements will add. Should you have specific questions about how this may impact you, please contact the Greenberg Traurig legal professional with whom you work.