What is Biometrics Screening?

Published by Mei in General | Updated 2024

In the world of the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), biometrics have emerged as a powerful tool, revolutionizing the way identities are verified and safeguarding the integrity of the immigration system. These unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, photographs, and iris scans, play a pivotal role in preventing fraud, streamlining applications, and enhancing national security.

If you are applying from outside the USA for an O-1/EB1 this process will be performed as part of your [Consular Processing].

Biometrics Screening Explained

All visa applicants undergo security checks, commonly referred to as administrative processing. Security checks can delay or even result in the denial of a visa.

You are more likely to be subject to an in-depth security check if you meet one of the following criteria:

You are coming from or have traveled in certain countries, including the seven countries on the U.S. State Department’s List of State Sponsors of Terrorism: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Experience has shown that persons from Russia and China are also subject to in-depth security checks.
You are engaged either professionally or academically in any of the fields listed on the U.S. State Department’s Technology Alert List (“TAL”). These fields include, but are not limited to: engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, architecture and urban planning.
You are applying for a visa in a third country. eg you are British and interviewing in Canada

Book your Appointment

EB-1 applicants will include the Biometric Service Fee with the Form I-485 fee when you file Adjustment of Status.

Approximately 2-3 weeks after the USCIS receive your I-485 application, you should be sent an invite for Biometrics. The wait time can vary if you have a military history or have a common name that might have links with terror groups. You will be offered a time slot on an officious certificate type document. YOU MUST BRING THIS DOCUMENT WITH YOUR ID TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.

Usually biometrics appointment are at USCIS authorized “Application Support Centers.” Find your local here USCIS Service and Office Locator.

If you can’t make the scheduled time/day, you can request to be rescheduled. The appointment notice tells you how. The timing is flexible, so if you show up early, they should take you. It’s not wise to show up later than your scheduled time, but if an emergency causes you to be late there is no harm in asking to be processed then anyway. They are usually very friendly and understanding at the centers.

WARNING – Failure to appear to be fingerprinted or for other biometrics services may result in a denial of your application.

Safeguarding Identity and Process Integrity
Streamlining Applications and Reducing Processing Times
Protecting National Security and Maintaining Borders
Facilitating Travel and Enhancing Border Security
Elevating Customer Service and Improving Applicant Experience

What Does Biometric Screening Measure?

‘Biometric’ in the USCIS case refers to an individual’s unique characteristics that can be used for identification.

Confirm Identification
Fingerprints
Photographs
Iris scans
Electronic capture of Signature

What Can You Expect from a Biometric Screening?

The notice USCIS sends you about your biometrics appointment will tell you what to bring with you – usually a copy of the appointment notice and photo identification. The notice might warn you what not to bring into the building with you. They might not allow: phone, camera, or any food or drink.

Regardless of how or where you do it, the entire process should only take around 10-20 minutes to finish. The appointment times are given out in bulk so a number of people might arrive at the same appointment time. You will be called in on a first-come, first-served basis.

Before you leave the office they stamp your appointment notice confirming that you attended. Keep this document safe as it is proof of your attendance, in case you are later asked for it or USCIS cannot find their record of your Biometrics exam.

Where is Biometric Screening Done?

Where your screening will be done depends on where you currently are. If abroad usually it will be carried out at the main Consulate.

If in the USA usually biometrics appointments are held at USCIS authorized “Application Support Centers.” Find your local here USCIS Service and Office Locator.

Notes on the Biometric Screening

The procedure for biometric screening typically goes very smoothly. Keep in mind:

Arrive early.
Outfit. Wear shoes that are comfortable to stand in. Preferably, look like a pro artist. You should present as a professional.
No Case Questions. The officers who collect your biometrics have no access to your case. They are solely responsible for taking your details so please don’t questions them. Please be polite. They work hard.
USCIS Biometrics are valid for 15 months. If you need to re-apply within that time we still recommend that you pay for the Biometric fee. The reasoning behind this is because the USCIS receive so many applications a day that your application without the fee might just get left in the RFE file.

What’s next? The Results from Biometric Screening?

Your fingerprints will be sent on for review by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which will check them against records held by the police as well as by USCIS (which often takes the fingerprints of people caught crossing the border illegally). The FBI will send a report to USCIS to confirm your identity and to show whether you have committed any crimes or immigration violations that might make you inadmissible, deportable, or otherwise ineligible for the green card. See [Criminal Record].

The USCIS card production section will add your information to their list in order to print your EAD (if you applied for one).

Reentry Permit

Biometrics for [Reentry Permit] – When you leave the US for more than 180 days within that time you may have committed a crime, developed TB etc. since receiving the green card so you may be asked to retest. This is why many recommend that you get your [citizenship] as soon as you are permitted.

Final Thoughts

Biometrics have undoubtedly transformed the immigration landscape, empowering USCIS to safeguard identities, streamline processes, and enhance national security. As biometric technology continues to evolve, USCIS is poised to further harness its potential, ensuring the immigration system remains efficient, secure, and accessible for all.

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All articles are written from our experiences and the experiences of our colleagues. These are fantastic visas and we wish to empower others in applying. This information is for general guidance only and shouldn’t be considered legal advice.

If you have any questions or encounter any issues that we have left out let us know – it is important that others are aware. Email here!