In a significant move towards improving the customer experience, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced an online appointment request form available to individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives. This initiative streamlines the process of requesting in-person appointments at local USCIS field offices.
This new online appointment request form is a game-changer. It eliminates the need to make phone calls to the USCIS Contact Center, simplifying and expediting the appointment request process.
What type of appointments are covered?
ADIT Stamp: The Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp, also known as the I-551 stamp, serves as temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status. It is issued to Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) in specific circumstances. This stamp authorizes holders to work in the United States and re-enter the country after international travel when a valid passport is unavailable or expired.
Emergency Advance Parole: In cases of extreme urgency, individuals may request an emergency advance parole appointment at their local field office. Advance parole allows travel outside the United States and is granted based on the emergent nature of the situation.
Immigration Judge Grant: Applicants who have been granted permanent residence or asylum by an Immigration Judge (IJ) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) must visit their local field office to initiate card production or obtain proof of status.
Certified Copies of Naturalization Certificate: This category is for individuals whose naturalization or citizenship certificates need certification for foreign government acceptance or for family members requesting certified true copies for deceased U.S. citizens.
Deferred Action: Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer removal action, often used in cases of prosecutorial discretion.
T, U, and VAWA Inquiries: T, U, and VAWA case recipients benefit from additional privacy protections related to their case filings.
Lost Immigration Visa Packets: Individuals admitted into the U.S. as immigrants who believe their visa packets may have been lost in transit from CBP to USCIS can request assistance through this category.
And Others: The online appointment request form covers various other categories, ensuring a wide range of immigration-related matters can be addressed.
Please note that it is not a self-scheduling tool: individuals cannot directly schedule their appointments with USCIS. Instead, the USCIS Contact Center will review the submitted forms and assess the availability of in-person appointments at specific field offices. While individuals can request a preferred date and time for their appointment, USCIS cannot guarantee the requested slot.
As USCIS continues to prioritize customer service and efficiency, this initiative aligns with its commitment to transforming federal customer experience and service delivery.
For more information and to learn whether you can submit a request for your case, contact one of our immigration lawyers HERE.