Emergency appointment at a field office

[fs2439 46]

Hi all,

Field offices are closed. Today i received an i797 (yay) for a field office biometrics appointment. It has been scheduled for 4/2.

I am wondering if anyone has experience scheduling emergency field office appointments? Field offices are closed, but apparently emergency appointments are being processed. Does anyone know what qualifies as an emergency?

Thank you in advance!

[gregcrs2 1,778]

What's the emergency?

 

[SalishSea 17,829]

1 hour ago, fs2439 said:

Hi all,

Field offices are closed. Today i received an i797 (yay) for a field office biometrics appointment. It has been scheduled for 4/2.

I am wondering if anyone has experience scheduling emergency field office appointments? Field offices are closed, but apparently emergency appointments are being processed. Does anyone know what qualifies as an emergency?

Thank you in advance!

Routine biometrics does not constitute an emergency.  Obviously the letter was generated before the closures.

[fs2439 46]

Thanks @jorgedig! Do you know if they first need biometrics to begin processing ap/ead? Thanks again

[SalishSea 17,829]

4 hours ago, fs2439 said:

Thanks @jorgedig! Do you know if they first need biometrics to begin processing ap/ead? Thanks again

Yes.

[payxibka 10,045]

9 hours ago, fs2439 said:

Thanks @jorgedig! Do you know if they first need biometrics to begin processing ap/ead? Thanks again

Not to begin but needed before approval can be done 

[fs2439 46]

@payxibka I'm not sure I understand this. Are you saying they will process ap/ead without biometrics?

[Just Paul 4,595]

2 minutes ago, fs2439 said:

@payxibka I'm not sure I understand this. Are you saying they will process ap/ead without biometrics?

Typically biometrics are done right away. . . 

 

The biometrics can be done at anypoint in the EAD/AP process.  It won't be approved without the biometrics.

 

 

[geowrian 22,337]

They cannot issue an EAD or AP without biometrics being completed. The card has biometrics data embedded into it.

[fs2439 46]

Thanks for the explanation, however frustrating it may be. Do you think they do anything (other than process i140) before receiving biometrics? Also, someone said they may be able to pull up biometric data from the embassies. Does this sound right at all? Thanks so much

[geowrian 22,337]

From a technical level, I can't see a good reason why they couldn't use the biometrics from the visa, unless the system are not compatible or the level of information is not identical (for example, say they need 300dpi images for a fingerprint and the ones abroad used 200dpi images).

From a practical level, I have never seen them do so for a DHS-based benefit. They have waived biometrics for replacement green cards, ROC, etc., if already recently obtained in the US, but I have not seen it waived when the biometrics were obtained abroad. Doesn't mean it's not possible, but I have not seen it or heard of it.

Security-wise, there is a potential gap between when a visa is issued and an EAD, AP, or green card is issued. Although with CBP checking it as well, that gap is even more narrow.

[fs2439 46]

Thanks geowrian