EAD without Biometric?

[B&E 0]

Hello all, I tried asking this once before and tried searching, but the search wasn't working, kept giving me an error.

Anywho.... We sent in our AOS, EAD, AP packet on Nov 11th. Our NOAs for all three are Nov 20th. We received one RFE that we returned in about a week. We have since gotten the approved AP. Our AOS was transferred to California on Jan 9th.

We have not been contacted for a biometrics appointment at all. No letters, no emails. I have double checked to make sure they didn't send us something and I just didn't see it. I do remember on the NOAs they mention they would contact us for a biometrics appointment if necessary.

So, my question is: Is it possible they don't need the biometrics to approve our paperwork? Anyone else have this happen?

[B&E 0]

One more question might be this:

Would the status available through the USCIS website for our paperwork (I485 and I765) update to show that they sent a biometrics appointment notice or they are waiting for the biometrics?

[JulianDavid 0]

How did you know that you case had been transfered to CSC? Did you get notification via mail or the information was updated on USCIS site? Anyway, I would try to call USCIS and try to find out the status of your biometrics appiontment.

[Jasman0717 9]

you will need a biometrics for the EAD, the card has a picture. Claudeth had to have two biometrics, the AOS was more detailed.

[B&E 0]

I got a notice in my email, from the USCIS web site stating that they had transferred the AOS to California.

How did you know that you case had been transfered to CSC? Did you get notification via mail or the information was updated on USCIS site? Anyway, I would try to call USCIS and try to find out the status of your biometrics appiontment.

OK, that's what I'm worried about. They haven't sent anything and I would hate to wait the 90 days before calling just to find out they need the biometrics and have to wait another 60 days or so...I will try calling tomorrow.

you will need a biometrics for the EAD, the card has a picture. Claudeth had to have two biometrics, the AOS was more detailed.

[JulianDavid 0]

OK, that's what I'm worried about. They haven't sent anything and I would hate to wait the 90 days before calling just to find out they need the biometrics and have to wait another 60 days or so...I will try calling tomorrow.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Edited February 3, 2009 by JulianDavid

[map1map 3]

I had an EAD during OPT right after school. Although the NOA for that EAD informed me that if necessary I would be scheduled for a bio, there was no need for me to go through the biometrics, since they already had the picture I sent with the application. So, it is possible for them to issue the EAD without biometrics, but never heard of such a case for an applicant adjusting status. People do get a biometrics appointment when they apply for EAD in the process of adjusting status, and the card itself has the fingerprint too (not only the picture).

Myself, I scheduled an infopass when about 47 days have passed, without me receiving a bio appointment, and placed a service request to inquire about it previously to the infopass. Right the day after the infopass, the local USCIS office sent me a letter informing that my application was in the system that schedules bio appointments, and that they cannot estimate when this would be, since the application support centers are pretty busy. And, about 3 days after the infopass, the same local USCIS office issued the bio appointment. Coincidence? I don't think so. And by the way, I tried to go for a walk-in for the bio appointment, and they said they cannot take be before the date of the appointment (mind you, the "busy" application center was absolutely EMPTY, no applicant in sight, at 2:00PM on a Monday).

Definitely the infopass is worth more than placing a call to the 1-800 number (where the operator can only inform you on the status of the application - information available on the USCIS's web site, or place a service request for you).

I would not wait the 90 days. For all that you know, your file might be stuck in a pile on someone's desk, collecting dust. Be active about it, there is nothing wrong with it.

[B&E 0]

Well, I tried calling the 1-800 number but it won't even let me speak with a human being. I guess because the 90 days has not passed yet?

I also tried looking into an infopass session, but I am not sure I understand correctly...I have to go to the closest office in person? Can't I call them/have them call me? The closest office is about 2.5 hours away.

I still have no information as unless I'm not doing something correctly, I cannot seem to contact a human being on the phone about my concern. Anyone know who to contact/what to do from here?

[map1map 3]

Well, I tried calling the 1-800 number but it won't even let me speak with a human being. I guess because the 90 days has not passed yet?

I also tried looking into an infopass session, but I am not sure I understand correctly...I have to go to the closest office in person? Can't I call them/have them call me? The closest office is about 2.5 hours away.

I still have no information as unless I'm not doing something correctly, I cannot seem to contact a human being on the phone about my concern. Anyone know who to contact/what to do from here?

When you dial the 1-800 number, as soon as you get the automate voice dial 123 and you pass directly to a human operator (someone actually tested it, it works). Calling the 1-800 number you can place a service request, getting there in person could get you more (in my case, I made an infopass appointment and the same office, 3 days later, issued the Bio appointment letter, and the IO sent an email to the NBC to inquire about my case).

An infopass is a in-person meeting with an immigration officer, not over the phone. I don't think they will call you, it is not their interest at stake.

[B&E 0]

Ok, finally got off the phone with a human. Called the 1-800 number and did the 123. Got me right there.

Spoke to someone who said her biometrics appointment should have been scheduled within 30 days of NOA...so they sent a request to the local office, but I'm a little bummed because they said I have to wait 45 days for a response...a response which might be, yes we forgot her appointment, here is an appointment...which could be a month out, then wait for more paperwork, which means, it could be a while.

I'm sure glad they cashed my $1000+ check in a timely fashion.

[map1map 3]

Ok, finally got off the phone with a human. Called the 1-800 number and did the 123. Got me right there.

Spoke to someone who said her biometrics appointment should have been scheduled within 30 days of NOA...so they sent a request to the local office, but I'm a little bummed because they said I have to wait 45 days for a response...a response which might be, yes we forgot her appointment, here is an appointment...which could be a month out, then wait for more paperwork, which means, it could be a while.

I'm sure glad they cashed my $1000+ check in a timely fashion.

I did the same thing (called the 1-800 number for not receiving the bio appointment within 30 days of NOA) and the operator placed a service request. Guess what was the result 3 weeks later? A letter from USCIS in response to the service request, telling me that the application is in the system that places BIO appointments at application support centers, but they cannot estimate when the appointment would be because the application centers are busy. THAT'S IT! That's the best that a service request can do for you.

If I were you, I would go for an infopass (it solved things for me, read above my first message).

[B&E 0]

Ok, finally got off the phone with a human. Called the 1-800 number and did the 123. Got me right there.

Spoke to someone who said her biometrics appointment should have been scheduled within 30 days of NOA...so they sent a request to the local office, but I'm a little bummed because they said I have to wait 45 days for a response...a response which might be, yes we forgot her appointment, here is an appointment...which could be a month out, then wait for more paperwork, which means, it could be a while.

I'm sure glad they cashed my $1000+ check in a timely fashion.

I did the same thing (called the 1-800 number for not receiving the bio appointment within 30 days of NOA) and the operator placed a service request. Guess what was the result 3 weeks later? A letter from USCIS in response to the service request, telling me that the application is in the system that places BIO appointments at application support centers, but they cannot estimate when the appointment would be because the application centers are busy. THAT'S IT! That's the best that a service request can do for you.

If I were you, I would go for an infopass (it solved things for me, read above my first message).

Done. Got an infopass appointment scheduled this Friday. Hopefully this will light a fire under someone.

[map1map 3]

Done. Got an infopass appointment scheduled this Friday. Hopefully this will light a fire under someone.

A piece of advice: unless asked by the immigration officer, don't tell that you had scheduled a service request. I only told the officer that I was concerned with not receiving a bio appointment, and wondering if maybe an RFE was issued and I was not aware of. The officer told me to wait for her to check the system, she checked and while I was waiting she sent an email to the national benefit center to ask about my case.

She also told me that if nothing happens in about 30 days, to call for a service request. I than told her I did placed a service request, and she told me I should have waited for an answer from the center.

Bottom line, if not asked, don't tell.

[B&E 0]

So, nothing and nothing....

So, we tried calling again this morning 3/9/09 and got elevated to an immigration officer. She stated our EAD card was sent on Jan 15th. We never received it.

I asked many questions, such as, #1 why didn't any of the other 3-4 people I have talked to since Jan stated that the card was issued? She said she looks at a different system than everyone else. I asked can it be reissued since it never came. She stated that we would have to resubmit the paperwork and $430 more, because "we've already done the work." She suggested I call the post office, because they must have lost it. I asked if there was a possibility that there was a mistake between when her database states it was issued and it actually getting sent. She said no, no way. I said, we'll the database I'm looking at and the 3-4 other people were looking at who tried to help me is erroneously stating that it's still pending...so mistakes or errors are possible.

I tried calling my local post office, but no one there answers the phone, and honestly I don't have high hopes for that.

I will try contacting my senators and representatives, but again, not sure what good that will do.

At this point I'm more angry that they didn't tell me this 3 months ago, so that we could have resubmitted the paperwork then, than having to pay $430 because a card was lost. I'm almost furious. Even the immigration office I spoke with said "it sucks, I know." But, if I make a mistake and forget to pay the US gov. taxes for $430 and loose my tax paperwork, when the IRS knocks on my door, I can't just reply, "it sucks, I know."

SO, If you are curious...it's possible to get an EAD issued WITHOUT a biometrics appointment.