USCIS Guidelines on Requests for Expedited Biometrics for Reentry Permits

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The Reentry Permit is a travel document issued to Lawful Permanent Residents who wish to travel for over six months. Federal regulations require permanent residents to be physically present in the United States when the application is filed.  Once the application is filed, the applicant may depart the United States, and the approved document can be delivered abroad. The applicant may also wait for the reentry permit before leaving.

Currently, applicants of reentry permits may request expedited service in cases that fall under one of the following categories:

  • Severe financial need to the company or individual
  • Extreme emergency situation
  • Humanitarian situation
  • Non-profit status of requesting organization in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States
  • Department of Defense or National Interest Situation (Note: Request must come from official United States Government entity and state that delay will be detrimental to our Government)
  • USCIS error
  • Compelling interest of USCIS

The application also requires that biometrics be completed, and as a practical matter, the applicant must be physically present in the United States to complete the biometrics.  This has led to difficulties in some cases where an applicant needs to leave as soon as possible.

In response to this biometrics issue, the USCIS recently announced new guidelines for expeditious biometric appointment requests:

  • If the applicant needs expedited processing, the Form I-131 instructions provide specific information for submitting pre-paid express mailers with your Form I-131 for USCIS to send your receipt and ASC appointment notice, as well as the completed re-entry permit or refugee travel document, if approved.  A request for expedited processing should contain the applicant’s reasons for such processing so that the USCIS may determine whether the applicant qualifies for expedited processing.
  • If the applicant must attend an ASC appointment (fingerprint appointment) in 14 days or less, the applicant may provide an email address or fax number, then the Nebraska Service Center will be able to fax the ASC appointment to the applicant.  The ASC will accept a duplicate copy of the appointment notice.
  • If the applicant needs to expedite the I-131 after filing, then the applicant should contact the customer service phone number or make an INFOPASS appointment at their local USCIS office.

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    2 comments

    1. What is your view on the following extract from the link pasted in the ‘Website’ box above :
      If the LPR departs from the U.S while the I-131 is pending, but before biometrics are taken, then the adjudication of the I-131 re-entry permit application will not be affected as long as the applicant returns to the U.S. to attend the biometrics appointment before the first year of foreign travel has ended.

      Source :
      http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9c1161ccdc20b110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

      1. The memo says, “Where biometric collection is required and the applicant departs the United States before the biometrics are collected, the application may be denied”. That said I know some people who have visas to Canada go there and come back before the biometrics appointment, and they were let in. It really depends.

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