Rescheduling fingerprinting appointment

[AMarina 0]

Hello,

I would really appreciate some advice on the following matter: just received my fingerprinting appointment letter, and it requests me to appear at Hartford office on July 16, while I'll be traveling out of country until July 26. The only way to reschedule is to mail the form back to them asking "please reschedule my appointment for the next available... Wednesday or Saturday afternoon". How can I communicate to them that I will not be available until July 26? What if the next available appointment will also fall during the time I'm gone? I've searched a number of sites, and couldn't find the phone number to call this particular office, so I only have the general USCIS 1-800 number (which I intend to call tomorrow, but doubt they can advice on this).

Another question is - has anybody rescheduled their appointment? How much does it really delay your application, as they threaten in the letter?

Thank you!

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Personally - rescheduling is bad.

Even if you manage to do it, I have seen cases where their case was "cancelled" because they didn't show up to the first appointment.

Infopass at the local USCIS would probably be the quickest way to do it.

I have even seen where people have just walked in with the letter you have, and get it done right then, (not on the date the letter said to do it).

Depends how busy they are I suppose.

[AMarina 0]

Personally - rescheduling is bad.

Even if you manage to do it, I have seen cases where their case was "cancelled" because they didn't show up to the first appointment.

Infopass at the local USCIS would probably be the quickest way to do it.

I have even seen where people have just walked in with the letter you have, and get it done right then, (not on the date the letter said to do it).

Depends how busy they are I suppose.

Thank you for the prompt response. Yes, it's not my preference to reschedule, but I can't cancel my trip now. Apologies for my ignorance - how does one get to Infopass - is there a link somewhere?

Thank you!

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Infopass

[Tini27 0]

You did not mention your travel dates. If you can,I'd suggest doing a walk-in at your local office before you leave. When I did the fingerprints, some people did that because they could not take off from work on the day they had the appointment. Just try it. It's much faster than a reschedule. Also, in my local office, they were accepting walk ins on wednesday afternoon or saturday morning. You may wait more than the ones who have appointments but it's worth it.

[Anh map 2,098]

I've seen several folks on here that said they just walked in for the biometrics. Bring your appointment letter and they may be able to work you in.

[AMarina 0]

I've seen several folks on here that said they just walked in for the biometrics. Bring your appointment letter and they may be able to work you in.

Thank you all, this is very helpful. I may try this Saturday and see what happens.

[allycat 0]

I did reschedule, just following the instructions on the form, and I got an appointment about 3 weeks after the original. I had written on the letter a couple of dates when I wouldn't be available.

However in retrospect I think I could have done a walk in and they might have accepted it. And the amount of time it takes probably depends where you live (my appointment was in Dover DE - not the busiest office in the country). Also I mailed the letter back on the actual day of the missed appointment, and that wasn't a problem.

[NickD 203]

Three go arounds with the USCIS, AOS, conditional, and USC with three sets of the same identical fingerprints. While the fingerprints are on the conditional and ten year card, no fingerprint on your certificate and the same 80 buck fee, but with the certificate, they don't take you picture.

For the first two, just said be there, we were there right on the dot, but for USC, they actually said if you cannot make the assigned appointment, show up on any Wednesday at noon, was surprised to see that. And when in rains it pours, we already made an appointment three months in advance to renew my wife's passport in Chicago when they wanted in Milwaukee at the same exact time. But we just went in the following Wednesday with no problems. Aren't they giving you that option?

Actually they gave us the option of getting that 3rd set of fingerprints done within a 90 day limit, but we took the very first Wednesday we could, certainly didn't want to keep the USCIS waiting because of us. Actually parked right in front of the building, a miracle, we were the only ones there.

[swatcat 0]

First of all, I believe, not all centres will do the walk-in biometrics. I was scheduled a FP appointment for the day after Memorial day at St.Louis,MO. Since, I was travelling out of town for the Memorial day weekend, I could not make the appointment. But my letter stated that if I missed my appointment, I could walk in on any following Wednesday as long as it is before Aug 20. So, I went for the FP on the following Wednesday. At the appointment, while I was being finger-printed, the lady mentioned as FYI that I had missed the appointment & they no longer do the walk-ins. I showed her the letter that stated I could come on any Wednesday. They were surprised that they were still mailing out those letters and asked me if they could photocopy it. I didnt mind as long as they did my FP.

So, anyways, check with your center before you go for a walk-in. Also, check if your letter says that you can appear on any following weekdays before a certain date. Else, it would be safer to write a letter and keep a copy just in case they decide to cancel your application. Good luck.

[AMarina 0]

First of all, I believe, not all centres will do the walk-in biometrics. I was scheduled a FP appointment for the day after Memorial day at St.Louis,MO. Since, I was travelling out of town for the Memorial day weekend, I could not make the appointment. But my letter stated that if I missed my appointment, I could walk in on any following Wednesday as long as it is before Aug 20. So, I went for the FP on the following Wednesday. At the appointment, while I was being finger-printed, the lady mentioned as FYI that I had missed the appointment & they no longer do the walk-ins. I showed her the letter that stated I could come on any Wednesday. They were surprised that they were still mailing out those letters and asked me if they could photocopy it. I didnt mind as long as they did my FP.

So, anyways, check with your center before you go for a walk-in. Also, check if your letter says that you can appear on any following weekdays before a certain date. Else, it would be safer to write a letter and keep a copy just in case they decide to cancel your application. Good luck.

That's the problem - my letter doesn't mention anything about walk-ins, just that I can request rescheduling my mailing the form back, and the center's web-site clearly states that they don't accept walk-ins. Has anyone tried to still do a walk-in to a center that states they don't do that?

I guess, in my case it may be the most time-efficient to send back the form, accompanied by a letter explaining which dates won't work for me.

[AusCal 3]

I guess, in my case it may be the most time-efficient to send back the form, accompanied by a letter explaining which dates won't work for me.

I don't know how far you need to travel to your fingerprint office, but, if I were in your position, I would try going there this Saturday to do a walk-in. If it works, great, if not, then send the letter back requesting rescheduling.

[antda 13]

Hi AMarina,

Instead of rescheduling your biometrics, why don't you try a walk-in, earlier than scheduled?

Likewise, I did a walk-in biometrics for my I-751 case (a week earlier than scheduled) at my local (lol..1-2 hrs away) office in Buffalo, NY, due to transportation and medical issues. They had no problems with that, and I was glad that I was able to get such done beforehand.

You can read more about my walk-in biometrics expererience here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=153099&hl

Might as well get it done and over with earlier, instead of worrying about having to reschedule for it later, and having your case further delayed because of that.

Just explain your situation if they ask for such (and bring extra proof if need be, such as ticket, vacation plans, etc.), bring your biometrics letter, identification, go at a time convenient for you, and go when it is not busy, and you should be ok there. Worst case, they say no. Best case, they say yes, which is a good thing.

Have it done first, and then go on vacation, and you'll be able to enjoy your vacation more then.

Don't let the USCIS run your schedule....Make your own schedule instead!

Hope this helps. Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant

Edited June 27, 2009 by AntandD

[AMarina 0]

Hi AMarina,

Instead of rescheduling your biometrics, why don't you try a walk-in, earlier than scheduled?

Likewise, I did a walk-in biometrics for my I-751 case (a week earlier than scheduled) at my local (lol..1-2 hrs away) office in Buffalo, NY, due to transportation and medical issues. They had no problems with that, and I was glad that I was able to get such done beforehand.

You can read more about my walk-in biometrics expererience here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=153099&hl

Might as well get it done and over with earlier, instead of worrying about having to reschedule for it later, and having your case further delayed because of that.

Just explain your situation if they ask for such (and bring extra proof if need be, such as ticket, vacation plans, etc.), bring your biometrics letter, identification, go at a time convenient for you, and go when it is not busy, and you should be ok there. Worst case, they say no. Best case, they say yes, which is a good thing.

Have it done first, and then go on vacation, and you'll be able to enjoy your vacation more then.

Don't let the USCIS run your schedule....Make your own schedule instead!

Hope this helps. Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant

Thank you all for the great suggestions - I did just that, walked in this Saturday, and although they say on their website that they don't accept walk-ins and it's all by appointment only, they let me do it right there and then, so about 5 minutes later I had my fingerprinting all taken care of!

[antda 13]

Hi AMarina,

You're welcome for the reply. Glad to be able to help here. That's great too, that you were able to get your biometrics done this week, very quickly and without any problems.

Enjoy your upcoming vacation and good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant

Thank you all for the great suggestions - I did just that, walked in this Saturday, and although they say on their website that they don't accept walk-ins and it's all by appointment only, they let me do it right there and then, so about 5 minutes later I had my fingerprinting all taken care of!