Early Biometrics at different office

[Mrs. JHH 3]

Hello all

I received my Biometrics Appointment letter on 07/25. I am supposed to get it done in Norfolk, VA on August 14.

My husband can't take me to Norfolk at the assigned date and public transportation to Norfolk is just not reliable from where we live. I would have to get buses and train to get in Norfolk, plus hotel room and taxi expenses... ugh!

As we are going up north this week for my husband's job, we were thinking about stopping by at the Alexandra, VA office and try an earlier walk-in.

Does any one have any similar experience? Have anyone gone to the Alexandria VA office for earlier and different location biometrics? Any advices?

Would my application be affected negatively, get lost or have conflicts if I get biometrics done at a different office?

Thank you all for the advice!

JSH

[Hypnos 6,576]

It makes no difference which ASC does your biometrics, they just assign you the closest to your address since for most people that will be the most convenient for them.

Judging from other posts you should have no issues trying to do a walk-in at Alexandria, VA:

http://www.visajourn...-alexandria-va/

http://www.visajourn...-alexandria-va/

Just remember to take your appointment letter and ID, since without both you cannot have your biometrics taken. Remember to turn your cell phone off before you go in the front door and bear in mind they will probably only let the applicant inside the building. Since it shouldn't even take 10 minutes this is not usually an issue.

Edited August 6, 2012 by Hypnos

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I would call the office first. The ASC's are private contractors, and they may not get paid, unless the appointment is scheduled for that office. Just a heads up to prevent a wasted trip: Not all ASC's will allow you to enter other than your appointed time.

Edited August 6, 2012 by The Patriot

[Hypnos 6,576]

It is not possible to call ASCs yourself directly, to my knowledge.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It is not possible to call ASCs yourself directly, to my knowledge.

Seems you are correct.

If you believe there is a problem with a case that you filed, you have moved, or you are in need of other services, the National Customer Service Center offers a variety of Case Services for a case that is pending or completed.

You should call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283, during the hours we offer live assistance for information and assistance on Case Services.

Note: Application Support Centers do not directly provide Case Services assistance that is related to the status of applications or other associated services.

Edited August 7, 2012 by The Patriot

[DC85 113]

Seems you are correct.

I did mine over there it's so easy, and it was early walk-in, I am sure you will be able to do so.

[DC85 113]

I would call the office first. The ASC's are private contractors, and they may not get paid, unless the appointment is scheduled for that office. Just a heads up to prevent a wasted trip: Not all ASC's will allow you to enter other than your appointed time.

I Don't think so

[Mrs. JHH 3]

Hey all,

Thank you for all your help and time on responding this thread.

Here is an update in this matter:

I went to Alexandria on August 7th at 8am to do my early biometrics at a different ASC location than assigned.

Walk-in was successful and painless. The office was packed at 8am and it took me a little longer than what I was expecting after reading a lot of other similar situations here at VJ. No big deal though! People there were extremely nice and helpful. At the front desk I presented my biometrics letter and my passport. The lady stamped my biometric letter (before taking my fingerprints) and gave the letter back to me. I was given a sheet of paper to fill out some basic information: name, DOB, weigh, height, color of eyes and hair etc... Then I waited about 15 minutes before being called to fingerprint. I had my picture taken and started doing my fingerprints. Some of my fingers were a little too hard to read (my pinky from both hands and ring fingers). The machine was saying "reject" all the time for those fingers. The lady doing my fingerprints kind of gave up trying on those fingers after trying so many times and she submitted "reject" scans of those fingers. Then she said: "Let's wait to hear from the FBI"; I insisted to try to have them taken again, but she said she couldn't do anything else and there were a lot of other people waiting. Then she said that I was done and asked me to please sign an electronic field (like those we sign when we swipe our credit card in grocery stores). After that I was dismissed, worried for those fingerprints that were "rejected". I was doubtful and started wondering if I screw up by having biometrics done early and at a different location..

Last Friday I called the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 to ask if they had received my fingerprints but I had no luck. I have read that that service is not helpful since they have just the same information you see at the website when you are checking your status. Indeed, the operator couldn't tell if they had received my biometrics.

So this morning (August 13th) I took the gamble and called the FBI at (304) 625-5590 to check if they had any useful information. I heard a recorded message, pressed 2 then 9 and was directed to a live operator. An operator named Amy (very nice on the phone) asked for my A number, name and date of birth. Amy said that the FBI had received my fingerprints on August 7 and replied to the USCIS at the same day! WHAT A RELIEF! Just one thing to keep in mind: they CAN NOT tell you if the fingerprints were "good", or what their decision is, or what actions they are going to take next. But at least I know that the fingerprints were submitted and if there is anything else to be done I know that the USCIS will notify me.

Just wanted to let you all know...

And the waiting game continues...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I Don't think so

I think you may be right.

[huongkhin 9]

We attempted to walk-in this morning. I may have to travel this month (newly established business in another states) so waiting until the appointment day maybe not feasible since I may have to leave anytime. We drove 40 miles to the ASC. The guard took our paper to the IO and asked us to wait.

After 30 minutes (several people were waiting for the IO as well), we got in. He asked us a lot of questions like: "Have you tried the ASC location on the appointment notice?", "What's your reason to coming in early?", crossed check our addresses between me and my wife,... When all our answer are matched and we explained my unexpected travel, he said okay he will let us do the BIO but the wait maybe long since they have to take case the people who have appointment today.

We went outside and waited for another 30 minutes then he called us in again. He questioned about my wife B1 visa. We explained to him her change of immigration intention (she came to attend an EXPO but I convinced her to stay). He took time explain to us the I-94 and said we'll have an interview and I have to be there with her. He wrote her A number on the passport and explain to her that will be her Green card number if approved. If asked who wrote the A number there, tell them an Immigration Officer at the ASC wrote that. He sent us to the line to get our number.

It took 2 hours from the time we got there but we finally got it done.

My overall experience is awesome. They were very busy but very efficient. From the Guard to the IO to the BIO technician, very nice people. Especially the Immigration Officer, extremely knowledgeable, he took time and explained everything to both of us in details.