The USCIS does have guidelines for people entering their offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You should call first to make sure your service center is open.
a. Visitors cannot enter the office if you:
- Have any symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, or difficulty breathing
- Have been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- Have been individually directed to self-quarantine or self-isolate by a health care provider or public health official within the last 14 days.
b. Visitors can’t enter the building more than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment.
c. Visitors must wear facial covering the cover the nose and the mouth. The facility may provide one or you may be asked to reschedule if you don’t have a facial covering.
d. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entry points.
e. You may not enter the facility more than 15 minutes before their appointment (30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies).
f. Visitors must follow social distancing guidelines by observing the markings, signs, and physical barriers
g. Visitors should expect that they may be asked health screening questions.
h. Visitors should bring their own blue or black pen so they don’t have to use a pen handled by other people
Additional instructions may be provided on any appointment notices.
More information on visiting USCIS facilities can be found at uscis.gov/visitorpolicy.
Visitors include only the following:
- The applicant
- A lawyer or authorized representative. Alternatively, a lawyer or authorized representative may assist by telephone. The applicant should notify the officer so the officer can contact the lawyer/representative “via the phone number listed on the Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance of Attorney or Accredited Representative.”
- Someone who can provide disability assistance (including a family member)
“Unless requested by USCIS, interpreters should be available via telephone for the interview. The interpreter should provide the applicant with a valid phone number where they can be reached by USCIS at the time of the interview. If it is determined that an interpreter should be physically present at the interview and is unavailable at the time of the interview, the interview may be rescheduled.”
“If an applicant needs a Sign Language Interpreter or Certified Deaf Interpreter, they should reach out to the USCIS Contact Center online or call 1-800-375-5283 as soon as possible after receiving their interview notice.”
Due to added COVID-19 security measures at our ASCs, you may experience:
- A longer wait time to receive your biometrics appointment notice
- Restrictions limiting access to ASCs
- Longer biometrics collection times
Rescheduling of Cancelled ASC Appointments
If an interview or appointment was canceled due to an office closure (due to COVID-19) the ASC will reschedule the appointment and send “notifications of biometrics reuse to eligible individuals.” If you don’t receive an appointment notice or biometrics notice within 90 days of the office reopening – call 800-375-5283.
USCIS doesn’t automatically reschedule appointments for Canadian and United Kingdom visa applicants.
- Canada Visa Applicants: visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website for updated information.
- UK Visa Applicants: visit the UK Visas and Immigration website for updated information.
Call Herman Legal Group at 1 (216) 696-6170 or complete our contact form to speak with us how COVID-19 affects your B-1 or B-2 EOS or COS application.
