USCIS Launches Online Appointment Request Form
On August 21, 2023, USCIS launched a new online appointment request form that allows certain individuals and their legal representatives to request an in-person appointment at their local field office without calling the USCIS Contact Center. Such individuals can make an appointment to come in person to make inquiries and drop off documents related to their pending case.
What Types of Appointment Can I Request Using the Online Appointment Request Form?
Individuals in the United States can request an in-person appointment online for the following matters:
- ADIT stamps;
- Emergency Advance Parole;
- Immigration Judge Grants; and
- Other reasons.
Here are the details of the matters eligible for the online request:
1. ADIT stamps
The ADIT (Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunication) stamp provides temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status. USCIS issues ADIT stamps to Lawful Permanent Residents in limited circumstances. The stamp authorizes the holder to work in the United States and be re-admitted to the United States following travel outside of the country. USCIS places the ADIT stamp on the individual’s unexpired passport. When the applicant is unable to obtain a passport or if the passport is expired, USCIS places the stamp on the Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Individuals who do not have a valid passport must bring two passport-style photos to their appointment.
2. Emergency Advance Parole[1]
Individuals who are experiencing an extremely urgent situation may request an emergency advance parole appointment at their local field office. Whether to grant a request for an emergency advance parole document depends on if USCIS considers the travel need emergent (arising unexpectedly). Individuals should bring the following items to their appointment.
- A completed and signed Form I-131, Application for Travel Document;
- Valid Passport;
- The correct I-131 filing fee;
- Evidence to support the emergency request (e.g., death certificate, medical documentation); and
- Two passport-style photos.
3. Immigration Judge Grants
Typically, the applicant who is granted permanent residence or asylum by an Immigration Judge (IJ) or by the Board of Immigration Appeals is required to go into the local field office to initiate Permanent Resident Card production or obtain evidence of status. Such individual need to bring a copy of the Final Order, as well as photo identification and passport to their appointment.[2]
4. Afghan Special Immigrant CPR Status
An Afghan national who was admitted into the United States as a conditional lawful permanent resident, CQ1, CQ2, or CQ3, and is required to complete an immigration medical examination within 30 days of admission to remove conditions on his/her permanent resident status may send an online request form.
5. American Indians Born in Canada (Section 289)
An American Indian born in Canada who is present in the United States and wishes to reside permanently in the United States may request an in-person appointment. Such individuals will need to request a record of admission for permanent residence (Permanent Resident Card) at a local USCIS field office.
6. Certified Copies of Naturalization Certificate
If a foreign government requires a certified naturalization or citizenship certificate to accept it as evidence of citizenship in the United States, such individuals must appear at a local field office to have the naturalization certificate certified. A family member who requests a certified true copy for a deceased U.S. citizen may also make the request.
7. Deferred Action
Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion.
8. T, U, and VAWA Inquiries
T, U, and VAWA case recipients have additional privacy protections in place related to their case filings.
9. I-94 Cuban Paroles and Re-Paroles
A Cuban national who entered the United States prior to January 12, 2017, may visit his/her local office to request to be paroled, or reparoled, into the United States. Parole requests are granted for a two-year period.
10. Lost Immigration Visa Packets
If individuals were admitted into the United States as an immigrant and three months have elapsed since they paid the immigrant fee, there is a possibility their visa packet was lost in transit from CBP to USCIS.
11. MyUSCIS Account Locked
If individuals have forgotten their MyUSCIS Account password and there is no means to retrieve the password reset email sent either through self-service or via the help desk, they may send an online request form.
12. Parole-In-Place (PIP)
Individuals who request Parole-in-Place may request an in-person meeting. Parole may be available for individuals who are present in the United States without admission or parole and are the spouse, widow(er), parent, son, or daughter of an active duty or Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve member of the U.S. Armed Forces, or a military veteran (whether living or deceased, as long as he or she was not dishonorably discharged).
13. Request to Locally Receipt Forms
Usually, applicants must file most forms with the lockbox or a service center. However, applicants may file some forms at the local Field Office in limited circumstances. Officers in the local office are NOT allowed to assist with filing any applications/petitions. Visit the Find Help in Your Community page for immigration and legal assistance.
14. Verification Referrals
For individuals either SAVE Program or E-Verify have referred to the local office. Both verification programs follow a process to verify the biographic information and validity of the document provided by the applicant or employee against DHS records. When SAVE/E-Verify cannot verify the applicants or employees information after the additional verification, then SAVE or E-Verify may refer the individual to the local field office to correct or update his/her immigration record.
15. Service Administrative Errors Certified Copies
For individuals who have received a response from either the local office or Service Center instructing them to make an appointment. Applicants may request a review of their case and correction of the decision in certain circumstances when they believe a USCIS data entry and/or administrative error resulted in an adverse adjudicative action.
16. A-Number Request
USCIS provides information to various customers, which often involves releasing information covered under the Privacy Act. For example, an applicant may request information covered under the Privacy Act, such as his/her A-Number, when the applicant needs the information to file a form.
17. Military Request for Appointment
USCIS prioritizes inquiries from military members and their families. This is to support U.S. armed forces members, veterans, enlistees, and their families. In limited circumstances, a military member and their family may be scheduled for an InfoPass appointment with the local field office, even if the situation does not meet one of the specified criteria in the list.
18. Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) – Age Outs
A petitioner for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) must submit their Form I-360 petition requesting SIJ status prior to their 21st birthday. Petitioners may request an Information appointment with a USCIS field office within 2-weeks of their 21st birthday. The field office will validate timely submission of a petitioner’s Form I-360 and date stamp Form I-360. The field office then send the I-360 and supporting documents to the USCIS Lockbox.
19. Central American Minors (CAM) Parole Program
The Central American Minors Refugee program provides certain qualified individuals an opportunity to apply for refugee status and possible resettlement in the United States. Such individuals are children who are nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, as well as their certain family members.
How Can I Schedule an In-Person Appointment Using the Online Appointment Request Form?
Individuals seeking an in-person appointment from the United States may select their preferable language (if applicable) and request an appointment by clicking the button appearing on the form. They need to provide their personal information, the type of appointment they are requesting, and preferable day and time of the day for the appointment. If eligible, USCIS will confirm the appointment.
Can I Self-Schedule an In-Person Appointment Using the Online Appointment Request Form?
Individuals who are eligible to use the online request form may request a specific day and time for an in-person appointment. However, USCIS cannot guarantee that the requested appointment date will be scheduled. The USCIS Contact Center will review submitted request forms and the availability of appointments at a specific field office. USCIS will then confirm and schedule the individual for an in-person appointment date and time.
To see the USCIS’ announcement of the online appointment request form, visit here.
[1] Asylees and lawful permanent residents who obtained such status based on their asylum status may travel abroad with the prior approval of the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security. Such prior approval comes in the form of a refugee travel document. A refugee travel document is valid for one year. It allows an asylee to return to the United States after temporary travel abroad. Like advance parole, a refugee travel document does not guarantee admission into the United States. Rather, the asylee must still undergo inspection by an immigration inspector from CBP to review the Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.
[2] If IJ granted individuals Asylum, such individuals should also bring two passport-style photos to the appointment. If IJ granted individuals permanent resident status and such individuals do not have a valid passport, they need to bring two passport-style photos to the appointment. Applicants that do not have valid fingerprints on file may be scheduled for an Application Support Center appointment to produce the I-551 LPR Card.
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