Fingerprints

[siebu09 1]

Why do they fingerprint you at the consulate when you go in for your interview??

[Robert&Karen 264]

Probably to make sure you are the same person throughout the entire process and no one takes the place of the immigrant.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

I agree with the above- as they will take your finger prints at POE again. If you get stuck in AP, they might also use it for background checks?

[Robert&Karen 264]

Every time they take another step with your packet they run background checks. It may be a delay, but they also look to see folks who are running FROM something instead of just running TO someone.

[siebu09 1]

Could you fill me in on the different checks they do for each steps....

Every time they take another step with your packet they run background checks. It may be a delay, but they also look to see folks who are running FROM something instead of just running TO someone.

[Robert&Karen 264]

I used to work at a US Embassy and anytime someone was going to the states we ran police checks, Leahy checks (to see if you are a war criminal) and checked for past visa abuses. If you came to the US 5 years ago and overstayed your visa you could not come back for 7 years. Of course it would be great if one background check provided everything, but everyone does not always talk to one another. A military check may produce different results from a police check or a passport check or a medical check.

Just figure that if you are hiding something, they will find it.

[siebu09 1]

This really helps, i was reading on the nvc site and it said that the fingerprint where just recorded to make sure the person at the interview was the actual person at poe is that correct?? or is there more to it...

[Robert&Karen 264]

Yes they want to be sure you are the same person throughout the process.

[caly 48]

I agree with the above- as they will take your finger prints at POE again. If you get stuck in AP, they might also use it for background checks?

I have a question about fingerprinting too actually. I just applied for my police certificate of clearance the other day and they fingerprinted me. But I have pretty bad eczema on my hands right now and the fingerpad on the middle finger on my left hand is extremely dry and cracked so the lady couldn't get a proper print. After trying about 5 times, she eventually gave up and skipped on to the rest of my fingers.

I'm sure that I'm not the only eczema sufferer that has this problem. What if because of my skin condition, the pads of certain fingers differ/cannot be printed at NVC and POE? Will this be a problem or will a consistent printing of a majority of my fingers be enough to clear my identity?

[Robert&Karen 264]

Thankfully you have nine other digits to help with the identification.

[caly 48]

Thankfully you have nine other digits to help with the identification.

Thanks for your insight, aorobert!