Can I go early to biometrics appointment?

[US2UK 33]

My biometrics for AOS have been scheduled for end of Dec. We were planning to spend the holidays with some of his family who live a little far out, and we don’t want to come all the way back to Atlanta for the appointment. 
 

I have read that you can go to the service Center on another date, as long as you have your biometrics appointment letter. 
 

Does anyone know if this is still the case given covid? Or are they strict on appointment times now?

 

Thanks in advance! 

[Loren Y 2,755]

5 minutes ago, US2UK said:

My biometrics for AOS have been scheduled for end of Dec. We were planning to spend the holidays with some of his family who live a little far out, and we don’t want to come all the way back to Atlanta for the appointment. 
 

I have read that you can go to the service Center on another date, as long as you have your biometrics appointment letter. 
 

Does anyone know if this is still the case given covid? Or are they strict on appointment times now?

 

Thanks in advance! 

I did a walk in a few days after I received the notice, but that was before covid-19 started. I doubt you will be able to do a walk in today. If you're going to try it, try on a slow day for them. Usually Wednesday is good, avoid Monday and Friday. Go Wednesday, early afternoon, after lunch and you might have some luck. They even mentioned at my ASC that they called Wednesday " Walk in Wednesday" as it was a rumored good day to do it. Let us know how it goes. Just mention you will be out of town on your scheduled day, might help.

[HRQX 4,145]

57 minutes ago, US2UK said:

Does anyone know if this is still the case given covid?

Uncertain, but you could at least try.

 

After you try, could you share your experience in the following threads?

Main walk-in thread:

August AOS thread where someone said they were also going to try walk-in:

 

[KULtoATL 1,551]

I was at the Atlanta office pre-COVID time and even then, they weren't allowing anyone through unless you have an appointment scheduled for that particular day. But again, who knows what their practices were before and after my personal visit 😂😂😂 I suspect with COVID-19, they are probably even stricter? Maybe you'll get lucky 👍🏻

[HRQX 4,145]

5 minutes ago, KULtoATL said:

who knows what their practices were before and after my personal visit

Back in 2013 some were successful, but now who knows:

 

[US2UK 33]

Thanks all for the responses. 
 

I am going to give it a try tomorrow. Worst case they say come back on 22nd. I’ll let you all know my experience!

 

also my letter says I-485/I-765. Do I also need to get them done for I-131? 

Edited December 9, 2020 by US2UK

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, US2UK said:

Do I also need to get them done for I-131? 

Usually it's just 1 biometric appointment for I-485 and I-765:

 

AP request based on pending I-485 doesn't require biometrics. Only AP request done outside the US based on humanitarian reasons or for significant public benefit requires biometrics: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-131instr.pdf Page 12

[US2UK 33]

Hi all,

 

I wanted to post about my experience trying to go early for a biometrics appointment at the Atlanta Center. 

 

I was *not* successful. 

 

I had an appointment set for later in Dec, and informed them I would be out of town so please can I do biometrics today. 

 

I don’t know if early walk ins were possible for Atlanta biometrics before, but it seems with covid there is no chance. Especially as the biometrics letter came with an additional covid letter, that specifically said “only show up on your scheduled date and time”. 

 

The security guy I spoke to did at least tell me that if I’m out of town on the date of my biometrics, I can go to the nearest service center on the date and time of my appointment. 

 

Another VJ user with a similar timeline to mine also tried to do early walk in today and was given the same response. 

 

Sorry I couldn’t bring better news! Best of luck with your immigration journeys :-) 

[Timona 4,207]

1 hour ago, US2UK said:

Hi all,

 

I wanted to post about my experience trying to go early for a biometrics appointment at the Atlanta Center. 

 

I was *not* successful. 

 

I had an appointment set for later in Dec, and informed them I would be out of town so please can I do biometrics today. 

 

I don’t know if early walk ins were possible for Atlanta biometrics before, but it seems with covid there is no chance. Especially as the biometrics letter came with an additional covid letter, that specifically said “only show up on your scheduled date and time”. 

 

The security guy I spoke to did at least tell me that if I’m out of town on the date of my biometrics, I can go to the nearest service center on the date and time of my appointment. 

 

Another VJ user with a similar timeline to mine also tried to do early walk in today and was given the same response. 

 

Sorry I couldn’t bring better news! Best of luck with your immigration journeys :-) 

 

Who sent you back? The security guy? If so, I would go back in the afternoon today and ask to speak to a manager. Stand your ground. When the manger comes, put on a show depending on your quick scan of the manager (firm/ puppy eyes etc).

You seem to have gone early and not in the afternoon/ lunch as was suggested to you.

 

 

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

1 hour ago, Timona said:

 

Who sent you back? The security guy? If so, I would go back in the afternoon today and ask to speak to a manager. Stand your ground. When the manger comes, put on a show depending on your quick scan of the manager (firm/ puppy eyes etc).

You seem to have gone early and not in the afternoon/ lunch as was suggested to you.

 

 

What “ground” are they standing on exactly? Appointment letters are specifically coming with instructions now making it very clear that you should not come unless you have an appointment.

 

Walk-ins are a courtesy, not a right. At the Milwaukee service center this was a courtesy not to even allowed BEFORE Covid (at least in summer of 2019). 

[Timona 4,207]

35 minutes ago, MorganandMichael said:

What “ground” are they standing on exactly? Appointment letters are specifically coming with instructions now making it very clear that you should not come unless you have an appointment.

 

Walk-ins are a courtesy, not a right. At the Milwaukee service center this was a courtesy not to even allowed BEFORE Covid (at least in summer of 2019). 

 

Never mentioned "it was a right." All I meant was, if you are firm with your reasoning, you may be granted one on walk-in. When I went to do mine late 2019 and around noon, the place was empty. I arrived 1 hour early because I used the bus that day as I was without transportation. So I got there early so as to wait for my time. However, the USCIS officials saw me outside and told me to come in and to take it, irrespective of my appointment time. Yes, I know this was on appointment date. But trying with a valid reason may offer same result.

 

Someone just mentioned, in another thread, that they asked for the supervisor and were just extra nice explaining their problem. The end result was positive. So it does not hurt if OP tried this avenue. 

Edited December 9, 2020 by Timona

[replaysports 41]

20 hours ago, US2UK said:

My biometrics for AOS have been scheduled for end of Dec. We were planning to spend the holidays with some of his family who live a little far out, and we don’t want to come all the way back to Atlanta for the appointment. 
 

I have read that you can go to the service Center on another date, as long as you have your biometrics appointment letter. 
 

Does anyone know if this is still the case given covid? Or are they strict on appointment times now?

 

Thanks in advance! 

Not sure who told you that... but it states on the letter that you must keep your date... so good luck with that!

[cyanmavi 101]

You can ask them to re-schedule your appointment for after your current date, but the new date might be a little further down the road than normal.

[Nimo 8]

I did my AOS biometrics last week 12/03/20..The mail had instructions to appear only at scheduled day and time..

May be you can reschedule your appointment or plan and attend the appointment.

 

[US2UK 33]

Thanks for everyone's responses - they are appreciated!

 

I really didn't get the impression that early walk ins are going to work right now. the security guard was very polite, but he did say no. And as others have mentioned, this is what the letter states. I will just have to leave town after my appointment, so it's not the end of the world 🙂

 

I posted my experience (as requested by some users) so that others in my situation can know what to expect.