How to Reschedule or Postpone a USCIS Biometrics Appointment in 2026

Got a biometrics appointment you can't attend? You're not alone. Thousands of applicants reschedule every month. The key is doing it the right way so USCIS doesn't treat your case as abandoned.

Here's the short version: request a reschedule before your appointment, show good cause, and use the online tool in your myUSCIS account. That's it. But the details matter, and that's what this guide covers.

I went through the green card process myself. I know how stressful it feels when you get that I-797C notice and realize the date doesn't work. The good news is that USCIS has made rescheduling easier than ever. The bad news is that the rules may get stricter soon.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• How to reschedule online (step-by-step with screenshots)
• What counts as "good cause" with real examples
• Ready-to-use request templates for different situations
• What to do if you already missed your appointment
• Edge cases that USCIS doesn't explain clearly
• How rescheduling affects your EAD, green card, or citizenship timeline
• Important 2026 policy changes you need to know about

If your biometrics is tied to an I-539 change of status or an I-765 work permit, keep reading. A clean reschedule keeps everything on track.

2026 policy changes: what's different now

Before we get into the how-to, you should know about a proposed rule that could change biometrics rescheduling.

In November 2025, DHS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would tighten rescheduling standards. Here's what it says:

First reschedule: You can reschedule once for any reason. No questions asked.

Second reschedule or later: You must show "extraordinary circumstances" instead of the current "good cause" standard.

Missed appointment without rescheduling: You must also meet the "extraordinary circumstances" standard.

What's the difference? "Extraordinary circumstances" is a higher bar than "good cause." Think serious medical emergency or natural disaster, not just a work conflict or travel plans.

Important: This rule is still in the comment period (comments were due January 2, 2026). It's not final yet. But it signals where USCIS is headed. The safest approach is to treat your first reschedule as your only easy one.

For now, the current "good cause" standard still applies. But don't assume you can reschedule multiple times without consequences.

Also new in December 2025: USCIS updated its biometric photo reuse policy. Photos collected at an ASC are now only valid for 36 months. If your last biometrics was more than 3 years ago and you're filing a new application, expect a fresh appointment.

Three ways to reschedule your biometrics appointment

USCIS gives you three options, but one is clearly the best.

Option 1: Reschedule online through myUSCIS (recommended)

This is the fastest and easiest method. USCIS launched the online rescheduling tool in June 2023, and it works for most cases.

Requirements:

• You have a USCIS online account (create one at my.uscis.gov if you don't)
• Your request is at least 12 hours before your scheduled appointment
• You haven't already rescheduled twice for this appointment

Step-by-step:

1. Sign in to your myUSCIS account at my.uscis.gov
2. Click "My Account" and scroll to "Reschedule Biometrics"
3. Select your case from the list
4. Click "Reschedule Appointment"
5. Choose a reason from the dropdown (this is your "good cause")
6. Upload supporting documents if you have them (doctor's note, travel itinerary, employer letter)
7. Select a new date and time from available slots
8. Confirm and save your new notice

You can also change your ASC location during this process, though availability varies by region. Not all ASCs have open slots, so you may need to stick with your original location.

Pro tip: Screenshot your confirmation. USCIS systems don't always sync perfectly, and having proof of your reschedule request can save headaches later.

Option 2: Call the USCIS Contact Center

Use this option if:

• Your appointment is less than 12 hours away
• You've already rescheduled twice online
• You already missed your appointment
• The online tool isn't showing your case

Call 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern.

You can also chat with Emma, USCIS's virtual assistant, on the USCIS website. Ask Emma to connect you with a live agent during business hours.

Be ready with:

• Your receipt number (starts with IOE, SRC, WAC, LIN, etc.)
• Your A-Number if you have one
• The date and time of your current appointment
• Your reason for rescheduling

Option 3: Through your attorney or accredited representative

If you have a Form G-28 on file, your attorney can reschedule on your behalf using their myUSCIS account or by calling the Contact Center.

What you can NOT do:

• Mail a reschedule request (USCIS stopped accepting these)
• Show up at a USCIS office in person to reschedule
• Use the online tool after your appointment has passed

What USCIS accepts as "good cause" for rescheduling

"Good cause" isn't defined with a strict checklist. It means you have a sufficient reason for not being able to attend on the scheduled date. USCIS looks at whether your reason is reasonable and whether you acted promptly.

The official good cause list

According to USCIS policy guidance, sufficient reasons "may include, but are not limited to":

• Illness or medical condition
• Medical appointment that can't be moved
• Death or serious illness of a family member
• Religious observance
• Caregiving responsibilities
• Work obligations you can't reschedule
• Prepaid travel booked before you received the notice
• Late or undelivered appointment notice
• Severe weather or natural disaster
• Transportation breakdown
• ASC closure

Notice the phrase "not limited to." USCIS has discretion to accept other reasons too. The key factors are:

1. Timeliness: Did you request before your appointment?
2. Credibility: Does your reason make sense?
3. Documentation: Can you support it with evidence?

What does NOT qualify as good cause

Based on forum discussions and immigration attorney guidance, these reasons tend to get pushback:

• "I forgot about the appointment"
• "I didn't feel like going"
• "The time was inconvenient"
• "I was busy with work" (without specifics)
• "I had other plans" (without documentation)

The difference often comes down to documentation. "I had a work meeting" is weak. "My employer required me to attend a mandatory training session on that date—here's the letter" is strong.

Real-world examples with sample wording

Medical:

I am unable to attend due to influenza confirmed by my physician. I have attached a doctor's note confirming my diagnosis and inability to travel on the scheduled date.

Work:

My employer has scheduled mandatory compliance training on the same date as my appointment. This training is required for my continued employment and cannot be rescheduled. I have attached a letter from my HR department confirming the training dates.

Travel:

I will be outside the United States during my scheduled appointment due to a family event. This travel was booked and paid for before I received my biometrics notice. I have attached my flight itinerary showing the booking date.

Late notice:

I received my appointment notice on [date], which was after the scheduled appointment date of [date]. I have attached the envelope showing the postmark and the date I retrieved it from my mailbox.

Family emergency:

My father was hospitalized on [date] due to a cardiac event, and I need to be present for his care. I have attached the hospital admission documentation.

Sample reschedule request templates

These templates work whether you're using the online tool (which has a text field for explanation) or talking to the Contact Center.

Template for illness

Template for work conflict

Template for travel conflict

Template for late notice delivery

What documents to attach by scenario

Special situations USCIS doesn't explain clearly

The official guidance covers the basics, but what about the edge cases? Here's what to do in situations that come up often but aren't well-documented.

Your notice arrived after the appointment date

This happens more than you'd think. Mail gets delayed. Addresses get scrambled. If your notice arrived late:

1. Call the Contact Center immediately at 1-800-375-5283
2. Explain that you received the notice on [date], after the appointment date
3. Ask for a new appointment
4. Keep the envelope with the postmark as evidence

USCIS policy specifically allows rescheduling when the "biometric services appointment notice is late delivered or undelivered." You shouldn't face abandonment issues if you act quickly and can show the late delivery.

The online tool shows no available dates

Sometimes the rescheduling tool shows no available slots at your ASC. Options:

1. Check back in a day or two—new slots open up regularly
2. Try a different ASC location if the tool allows it
3. Call the Contact Center to ask about availability
4. If you're flexible on location, ask if another ASC in your region has earlier availability

Don't wait until the last minute. If you need to reschedule and slots are scarce, request as early as possible.

You need to reschedule more than once

Under current rules, you can reschedule twice through the online tool. After that, you must call the Contact Center.

Each reschedule after the first one gets more scrutiny. USCIS may ask for additional documentation. And under the proposed new rule, your second reschedule would require "extraordinary circumstances" rather than just "good cause."

Bottom line: treat your first reschedule as your free pass. Don't assume you can keep pushing the date.

Family members received different appointment dates

This is frustrating when you have multiple people on the same application (like a spouse and children on a family-based green card). Some ASCs will try to accommodate families on the same day if capacity allows. But it's not guaranteed.

Your options:

1. Reschedule all notices to the same date when slots appear
2. Call the Contact Center and ask if they can coordinate appointments
3. Attend on separate dates if coordination isn't possible

The important thing is that everyone attends their appointment eventually. Different dates are inconvenient but not a problem for your case.

You're outside the US when the notice arrives

If you're traveling internationally and your biometrics notice arrives while you're gone:

1. Have someone at home open and photograph the notice immediately
2. Request a reschedule through the online tool before your appointment date passes
3. Explain in your request that you have prepaid travel and were out of the country
4. Provide your flight itinerary as documentation

If the appointment has already passed by the time you learn about it, call the Contact Center as soon as you're aware. Explain the situation. USCIS has discretion to reschedule when notices are late-delivered or you couldn't reasonably have known about the appointment.

Pregnancy or childbirth conflicts with appointment

USCIS doesn't specifically list pregnancy as a "good cause" example, but it absolutely qualifies. If your appointment falls:

• Within a few weeks of your due date
• During a period when your doctor has restricted travel
• On or near your delivery date

Request a reschedule with a letter from your OB-GYN explaining the conflict. Most officers will approve this without question.

Disability or medical condition requiring accommodations

If you can't travel to an ASC due to a disability or serious health condition, you have two options:

Disability accommodations: USCIS can provide extra time, wheelchair access, interpreter support, or modified procedures at the ASC. Request accommodations by contacting the Contact Center and referencing your receipt number.

Mobile biometrics: In limited cases, USCIS will send a technician to your location (hospital, home, care facility) to capture biometrics. This is not a convenience service—it's for people who genuinely cannot travel to an ASC.

To request mobile biometrics:

1. Submit a written request referencing your receipt number, A-Number, and scheduled appointment
2. Include a letter from your doctor explaining why travel to the ASC is not possible
3. Specify how long the mobility limitation is expected to last

Start this process early. Mobile biometrics takes time to arrange.

ASC closure due to weather or emergency

If your ASC closes due to weather, a power outage, or another emergency, USCIS will automatically reschedule your appointment. You won't be penalized.

Check the USCIS office closings page if you suspect a closure. You can also call the Contact Center to confirm.

What happens if you miss without rescheduling

This is the worst-case scenario. You didn't reschedule. You didn't show up. Now what?

Understanding "abandonment" and denial

When you miss a biometrics appointment without rescheduling beforehand, USCIS can treat your application as abandoned and deny it. This isn't automatic, but it's a real risk.

According to USCIS policy, "a benefit request is considered abandoned and is denied when an alien fails to appear for a biometric services appointment and USCIS has not received a rescheduling request by the appointment time."

However, there's wiggle room. USCIS has "some latitude to relax procedural rules" based on your circumstances. If you missed the appointment, the agency considers:

• How long between the missed appointment and your reschedule request
• Whether you have a sufficient reason for missing
• Whether you acted promptly once you realized the issue

Recovery options if you already missed

If you've missed your appointment, act immediately:

1. Call the Contact Center right away: 1-800-375-5283. Explain what happened and ask for a new appointment.
2. Provide a reason: Even if it's not the best reason, explain why you missed. "I was in the hospital" is better than "I forgot," but even "I forgot" with immediate follow-up is better than silence.
3. Follow up in writing: After calling, send a written explanation to the Contact Center (they can receive messages through Emma or phone callback). Document your request.
4. Monitor your case status: Check your myUSCIS account for updates. If you see "Case Was Denied" due to abandonment, you may need to file a motion to reopen or refile the application.
5. Consider legal help: If your case is complicated or high-stakes, consult an immigration attorney.

The longer you wait after missing an appointment, the worse your chances of recovery. Don't let days or weeks pass. Call the same day if possible.

Can you walk in to an ASC?

Technically, no. USCIS schedules appointments and expects you to show up at your scheduled time. There's no official walk-in right.

That said, some ASCs have accommodated same-day requests when they have capacity. This depends entirely on the location and how busy they are. Don't count on it.

If you're in a true emergency—say, you're about to travel internationally and just realized you missed your appointment—you can try showing up at the ASC and asking. The worst they'll say is no. But the proper approach is always to reschedule through official channels.

After you reschedule: what to expect

How long until your new appointment

It depends on your ASC's backlog. Some locations have slots available within a week. Others are booked out for a month or more.

When you use the online tool, you'll see available dates immediately. If nothing works for you, check back—new slots open regularly as other people reschedule or cancel.

If you call the Contact Center, they may have access to different availability. It's worth asking about the soonest option.

Impact on your EAD, green card, or citizenship timeline

Every day you delay biometrics is a day your case sits waiting. Biometrics triggers the background check, and many applications can't move forward until that check clears.

For I-765 (EAD) applicants: your work permit won't be produced until biometrics are completed. If you're close to your current EAD's expiration, rescheduling could create a gap in work authorization. Plan accordingly.

For I-485 (green card) applicants: biometrics is a required step before your interview can be scheduled. A reschedule pushes your interview date further out.

For N-400 (citizenship) applicants: same situation. No biometrics means no interview scheduling.

How much delay? Roughly the length of time between your original and new appointment, plus any additional processing time at your ASC.

Biometrics to interview: typical wait times

After your biometrics, how long until your interview? It varies wildly by form type, service center, and field office.

Some rough benchmarks based on USCIS processing time data:

These are estimates. Your mileage will vary. For current processing times, check USCIS processing times.

You can track your case status through the USCIS Case Status tool, the myUSCIS app, or by checking your EAD status if that's what you're waiting for.

Quick takeaways

Here's what you need to remember:

• Reschedule before your appointment and show good cause. A no-show can lead to abandonment and denial.
• Use the online tool in your myUSCIS account. It's faster than calling.
• The 12-hour rule: Online rescheduling must be done at least 12 hours before your appointment. Closer than that? Call the Contact Center.
• Two reschedules online. After that, you must call.
• Documentation helps. Doctor's notes, employer letters, travel itineraries—anything supporting your reason.
• Missed it already? Call immediately. Explain what happened. The sooner you act, the better your chances of getting a new appointment without abandonment.
• 2026 rule change ahead: The proposed rule would require "extraordinary circumstances" for second reschedules and missed appointments. Treat your first reschedule as your only easy one.
• Medical barriers? Request disability accommodations or mobile biometrics if you can't travel to an ASC.

Conclusion

Rescheduling a USCIS biometrics appointment isn't complicated if you do it the right way. Request before your appointment. Show good cause. Use the online tool. That's really all there is to it.

The worst thing you can do is nothing. A no-show without explanation puts your entire application at risk. Even if your reason isn't perfect, a timely request with some explanation beats silence.

If your biometrics is part of a larger filing—like an H-4 change of status or an EAD application—keep all your paperwork aligned. Make sure your A-Number matches across forms. Small inconsistencies can create extra appointments down the line.

The immigration system is stressful enough without adding avoidable complications. Reschedule properly, show up on time, and keep your case moving forward.

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