Biometrics - Facial Piercings

[Erica & L 50]

Hey guys,

Quick question, don't know if anyone here has any updated experiences regarding visible facial piercings at biometrics. My appointment is tomorrow at 3pm.

I have:

My ears stretched to 11/16th (for those who aren't familiar, that is a few mm below an inch)

Nose piercing (I wear a ring not a stud)

Verticat Labret (Lip)

and a tongue piercing (irrelevant probably as I don't take pictures with my teeth or anythng visible if I don't have to)

My bangs are also teal, so I mean, I wasn't sure since this is how I usually look, piercings and all, if that's what they are trying to capture for my photo to keep it accurate.

Would I be better off removing them and leaving them in the car before I go inside to have my appointment? or waiting to see what they say about it and then removing them inside if necessary?

Removing them isn't an issue, but they can get a little irritated if I keep them out for a while, so if I was going to need to take them out, I'd rather do it last minute sort of thing than have them without jewelry for however long I wait until my name is called.

Also, is there any dress-code at all?

Thanks!

[jerni 24]

Not sure about the piercings hopefully someone else can answer.

As far as dress code, just remember that the photo they take will be the photo that appears on your EAD and GreenCard. I wore jeans and then a nice shirt (since you can only see the shirt in the photo). You are not interacting with an actual officer so you don't need to be dressed how you would for the interview.

Edited March 6, 2014 by jerni

[Merrytooth 5,748]

You might want to remove facial piercings before the biometrics.

The photo taken during the biometrics is about being able to identify you without your piercings.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/116597-piercings/

[engineer21 51]

I've seen several biometrics experiences here where folks have been asked to remove facial piercings at their biometrics appt.

My suggestion is go in early and ask someone there. Or just come in early and go to the bathroom to remove them making sure to allow ample time to do so.

Bring a clean container in your bag with you to store the jewelry and go right back in the bathroom after you're done to put them back on to minimize the time that they're off.

Good luck!

[Erica & L 50]

Does the apply for my tongue piercing as well even though it wouldn't be visible? It's probably my hardest to take out/put back in, but not impossible on a whim!

I did that container strategy, put some cleaning position in it, and left all my piercings there when I did my medical exam. Turns out they wouldn't have cared if I had wore them, hah! Most of the people there had tattoos/piercings.

Thanks all!

Edited March 6, 2014 by Erica & Lily

[jerni 24]

Not sure if piercings set off airport style metal detectors, but you'll have to go through one of those when you enter the USCIS office (along with having your bags x-rayed). Might be easier to take them out before and leave them in the car.

[Erica & L 50]

Update: I went to my appointment, filled out a form, sat for about 5 minutes and then got called up since there was literally only one other couple in there. There wasn't a metal detector, just a USCIS security guard. I decided to keep my piercings in and just wait until the person told me which I needed to take out. He took my fingerprints (which took a little while to get perfect ones since I have naturally smooth hands and the ridges on my fingers aren't as prominent) told me to sit for my picture and pull my bangs out of my eyes. I asked him if I needed to take anything out and he said no and that my piercings were fine. Took a few more of my fingerprints for good measure, made the note on my Biometrics letter, and I was done.

So I don't know why some people have had to take theirs out, but I was glad nonetheless.

[jerni 24]

Glad it went well! I am surprised there was no metal detector. Our local office is like going through security at an airport.

[Erica & L 50]

I went to the (ASC) Application Service Center in Birmingham, and my local USCIS office is in Atlanta so I guess maybe some people go to the actual USCIS depending on where they're located?

[serena28 2]

Did your case status change at all after the biometrics? Did it move at all before the biometrics?

Mine has been stuck on Initial review for I485 and acceptance for everything else. I am hoping the status will change after the biometrics...

[Erica & L 50]

Did your case status change at all after the biometrics? Did it move at all before the biometrics?

Mine has been stuck on Initial review for I485 and acceptance for everything else. I am hoping the status will change after the biometrics...

No, but from what I've read that's normal. It won't change unless you get an RFE or when your EAD or AP is in production. Some people have gone with their online status saying initial review until their AOS got approved, the system isn't very reliable.

[Jo Amelia Finlay 20]

Surprised you didn't get asked to take your piercings out, as I did a walk-in appointment for my biometrics today and was told I had to.

I have a nose ring, stud/labret above my mouth, ring in bottom lip and both ears pierced "normally". I had no idea about having to remove them so it was something of a shock this morning. I struggled and managed to remove everything but the lipring (I never ever take them out) and they went ahead with my biometrics but warned me the photos might get rejected. They said it was FBI guidelines, not theirs!

I am hoping they were being super cautious and rejection doesn't happen! Worst case is that I will have to go back minus all piercings and get more photos, but still, I would rather not do that and hold the process up. I am encouraged by the fact you could keep yours in; surely if it were that serious it would be across the board standard procedure to get us all to remove facial piercings.

[Erica & L 50]

Surprised you didn't get asked to take your piercings out, as I did a walk-in appointment for my biometrics today and was told I had to.

I have a nose ring, stud/labret above my mouth, ring in bottom lip and both ears pierced "normally". I had no idea about having to remove them so it was something of a shock this morning. I struggled and managed to remove everything but the lipring (I never ever take them out) and they went ahead with my biometrics but warned me the photos might get rejected. They said it was FBI guidelines, not theirs!

I am hoping they were being super cautious and rejection doesn't happen! Worst case is that I will have to go back minus all piercings and get more photos, but still, I would rather not do that and hold the process up. I am encouraged by the fact you could keep yours in; surely if it were that serious it would be across the board standard procedure to get us all to remove facial piercings.

Yeah I was happy but at the same time kind of worried. I hate taking out my piercings (not because it's hard but because it's just a pain and I don't want to drop anything because some are expensive) so I figured I'd just go in and if they told me I had to, then I would. I made sure to ask him before he took the photo and he said I could keep them in. Never said anything about the FBI possibly rejecting it. I was just hoping it actually didn't matter and that he wasn't just saying that because he couldn't be bothered or he really didn't know the proper procedure.

But alas nothing got rejected and I got my EAD so I wouldn't worry!

Maybe it depends on who you deal with. I had a younger guy and everyone in there seemed kind of young so maybe the older generations that work there are more strict on taking facial piercings just because they're personally against it. Who knows.

[Jo Amelia Finlay 20]

Yeah I was happy but at the same time kind of worried. I hate taking out my piercings (not because it's hard but because it's just a pain and I don't want to drop anything because some are expensive) so I figured I'd just go in and if they told me I had to, then I would. I made sure to ask him before he took the photo and he said I could keep them in. Never said anything about the FBI possibly rejecting it. I was just hoping it actually didn't matter and that he wasn't just saying that because he couldn't be bothered or he really didn't know the proper procedure.

But alas nothing got rejected and I got my EAD so I wouldn't worry!

Maybe it depends on who you deal with. I had a younger guy and everyone in there seemed kind of young so maybe the older generations that work there are more strict on taking facial piercings just because they're personally against it. Who knows.

I totally thought as we were walking out, the middle aged lady who spoke to me probably has a teenage daughter who recently came home with a piercing, haha.

[Snag 57]

Not sure about the piercings hopefully someone else can answer.

As far as dress code, just remember that the photo they take will be the photo that appears on your EAD and GreenCard. I wore jeans and then a nice shirt (since you can only see the shirt in the photo). You are not interacting with an actual officer so you don't need to be dressed how you would for the interview.

Since this post has been resurrected and all...

Funnily enough, they didn't use the photo they took at the biometrics. They used the passport photo I submitted with my packet. I'd have loved that second one. Passports are never flattering.