Mar 1 2007

USCIS Creates New Biometric Process for Conditional Permanent Residents

The USCIS has announced a new nationwide biometrics process for all conditional permanent residents who file the Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, Form I-751. This new process became effective February 28, 2007.

Under the previous process for these applicants, after approval of Form I-751, applicants received an approval notice instructing them to appear at a USCIS district office for processing of their Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551. At that point, the approved applicant would manually submit passport-style photographs, index fingerprints and a signature on either Form I-89, I-551 or I-586 (the Card Data Collection Form) to create his or her permanent resident card.

Under the new process, all conditional permanent residents will be required to appear at a USCIS Application Support Center after filing Form I-751 to have their biometric identifiers electronically captured. An appointment with the Application Support Center will be automatically sent to these applicants with a specific date, time and location for the meeting. Capture of biometric identifiers will include the electronic capture of the applicant’s photograph, signature, index fingerprint and ten-print fingerprints. These electronic files will then be used to create the applicant’s permanent resident card, if the application is approved.

Please note that applicants will no longer be required to submit passport-style photographs; these photographs will be taken at the Application Support Center meeting.

All conditional permanent residents are required by USCIS to submit the standard base petition fee of $205 and the biometric service fee of $70. Please note that each conditional resident dependant that is eligible to be included on the main applicant’s Form I-751 will also need to submit an additional biometric services fee of $70.