Missed Biometrics Appointment. It was 2 weeks ago!

[alanalanwilliams 0]

I entered the US on a K-1 visa, and sent off my AoS in January 2016.

The letter with my biometrics appointment was forwarded by the local post office to my landlord, out in California (I live in Cape Cod, MA), so I never received it. My landlord contacted me today to tell me he received it, and I asked him to read the letter for me. The appointment was 2 weeks ago, on February 25^th. So I found out just today that I am two weeks late for the appointment. My wife and I are stressing pretty badly over this, and worried that it has ruined the immigration process.

I am unable to do a walk-in tomorrow morning as I can’t get to Providence. I can’t drive, and my wife needs notice to take a day off work. An infopass appointment would include going to Boston, which we won’t be able to do until later in the week, or if not, then the weekend.

So my question is, should I get my landlord to mail the original letter to me, and wait for the original letter to arrive, and then check the “reschedule” box, and mail it? Or should I mail a new letter immediately? Or should I wait until the weekend and do a walk-in? I feel like there are so few options available to us, and all involve making me even later.

Also, the appointment was in Providence, RI. However, Boston, MA is the center that serves my county, Barnstable, MA. Which center do I go to for a walk in, and why is it different?

Any help would be much appreciated,
Thank you

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

Do a walk-in as soon as you can, that's quicker than requesting a reschedule plus you'll have to do the appointment anyway. You can go to any ASC. I believe you do need the letter, but a copy may be acceptable. Can the landlord scan it, send it to you in an e-mail so you can print it?

Edited March 6, 2016 by EM_Vandaveer

[alanalanwilliams 0]

Hi, thank you for replying. That’s great to know we can go to any one. Forgot to mention that my landlord is scanning it and sending the scan tomorrow. (I was under the impression I needed the original.) So I will do a walk in ASAP in person!

Edited March 6, 2016 by alanalanwilliams

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi, thank you for replying. Thats great to know we can go to any one. Forgot to mention that my landlord is scanning it and sending the scan tomorrow. (I was under the impression I needed the original.) So I will do a walk in ASAP in person!

There are barcodes on the letter that will be useful for identifying you. A good scan should be fine. A crooked snap with a smart phone, maybe not. The biometric appointment is not usually such a big deal and others have gone in late just fine. Normally you will be scheduled at the closest location and not necessarily at the USCIS field office serving your address. A biometric Application Support Center can be a rented space in a strip mall and nowhere near your official USCIS office location. I doubt you will find them open on weekends.

[alanalanwilliams 0]

There are barcodes on the letter that will be useful for identifying you. A good scan should be fine. A crooked snap with a smart phone, maybe not. The biometric appointment is not usually such a big deal and others have gone in late just fine. Normally you will be scheduled at the closest location and not necessarily at the USCIS field office serving your address. A biometric Application Support Center can be a rented space in a strip mall and nowhere near your official USCIS office location. I doubt you will find them open on weekends.

Okay I see, that's great to know. We feel much much less stressed right now. Thank you!

[TBoneTX 46,111]

Let us know how it turns out.

[skilledcanuck 0]

since when are walkin's ok? My counsel suggested strongly against them - (new jersey) - stating that they would not accept a walkin at all (2nd reschedule now

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

since when are walkin's ok? My counsel suggested strongly against them - (new jersey) - stating that they would not accept a walkin at all (2nd reschedule now

Here's the walk-in thread. You can see many were successful. The NJ one seemed stricter than many others http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/367977-thinking-of-early-walk-in-for-biometrics/?p=8041170

[skilledcanuck 0]

thanks - yes, they pulled me out of the line yesterday when they spotted the bandage on my wrist (covered, nothing leaking, etc.) - said for 'liability reasons'.. sheesh! Will try a walkin next week! I assume you have to go to the same ASC as your appointment - you can't just go to any ASC correct?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

thanks - yes, they pulled me out of the line yesterday when they spotted the bandage on my wrist (covered, nothing leaking, etc.) - said for 'liability reasons'.. sheesh! Will try a walkin next week! I assume you have to go to the same ASC as your appointment - you can't just go to any ASC correct?

People have gone to different locations. It is just collecting photo and fingerprints all submitted to general USCIS so location plays no part. But it depends on if the location wants to deal with you or not when you veer off the appointed place and date.

[alanalanwilliams 0]

I did the walk in to the biometrics, in Cranston, Providence. I was over 2 weeks late for the appointment. At first the man in charge seemed reluctant to let me do it that day. He wanted me to just reschedule. But as I had driven over 100 miles to get there that morning, he said he felt bad for declining me, and eventually gave in, and gave me a time to come back later that day. So I got it done!

I’m not sure how likely this would be to happen for just anyone. He certainly seemed confused by the walk in, as though I should have just rescheduled. And he was also sympathetic to the fact that I received the letter (a scanned copy) well after the appointment was to take place.

A side note is that the place opens at 8am, and when we arrived at 8.30, there were less than 6 people waiting. Maybe being early helped too!

[skilledcanuck 0]

Ha, I was just going to update this thread today!

I attempted a walk in this morning - it was busy but negotiated my way past security.. after waiting in line at reception, almost got the number for the next line for the fingerprinting until she noticed the handwritten note regarding the injury and need to reschedule.. I explained what happened last time, but was still sent to the manager of the ASC.. After seeing her, I was told to come back in a few hours, and I did and was processed.. whew..

This was the processing center in Elizabeth