How to Reschedule an Appointment With USCIS

If you have been scheduled for an interview or other appointment at an office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it's in your best interest to attend on the date and time given. For one thing, assuming you're seeking an immigration benefit, you could find yourself waiting weeks or months longer until the next available appointment. For another thing, it's possible that your eligibility for what you seek will be lost in the intervening time.

Nevertheless, there are times when someone simply cannot make their interview date. In that case, you will want to take steps to reschedule ahead of time. The worst thing you can do is just skip the interview, in which case USCIS might cancel your application as "abandoned." (See an attorney in this situation; if you missed the date for an unavoidable reason, you might still be able to salvage your case.)

You will want to act quickly, too. Reschedule requests must normally be made by mail or in person, not by phone.

Let's look closer at some of the types of USCIS interviews, and the usual procedures for rescheduling. Also realize that on any USCIS appointment notice, it should give you contact information and procedures for rescheduling.

Rescheduling a Biometrics Appointment

Many types of immigration applications require the person (if living in the United States) to attend a biometrics appointment at an Application Service Center. There, fingerprints, a signature, and other information are collected. Your biometrics appointment notice will arrive on USCIS Form I-797C.

Near the bottom of that notice, you will see a box you can check saying "Please reschedule my appointment." You will need to check the box, make a copy of the notice for your records, and send the original back to USCIS at the address indicated.

Rescheduling an Adjustment of Status Interview

If you have submitted USCIS Form I-485 for adjustment of status and you can't make your scheduled interview, you can request a reschedule only for "good cause." In other words, you will need to convince USCIS that you are unable to attend because of circumstances beyond your control. (See 8 C.F.R. Section 103.2(b)(9).) Be sure to gather documents backing up your claim, such as a letter from a doctor who will be treating you at a hospital during that time.

If USCIS finds good cause, it will reschedule the interview and mail you a new Form I-797C.

Rescheduling an Asylum Interview

If you have submitted USCIS Form I-589 requesting asylum, and cannot make your scheduled interview date at a U.S. Asylum Office, you have two choices: either mail a letter to the Asylum Office where you were scheduled to attend your interview, or actually visit that Asylum Office in person, where you'll complete a form called "Request to Reschedule Asylum Interview."

You must also say why you are making the request, and show that the reason is for "good cause," not just because you decided you would rather do something else that day. Include any relevant evidence of what is stopping you from attending, such as a doctor's report.

Timing is key here. USCIS should ideally receive your mailed or in-person request before the scheduled interview date. The longer you wait after that, the more proof of "good cause" and "exceptional circumstances" USCIS will want to see before granting a reschedule.

Rescheduling a Naturalization (Citizenship) Interview

If you've submitted USCIS Form N-400 for naturalized citizenship, and cannot attend the scheduled interview, then you will need to send a letter to USCIS before the date the interview was scheduled to occur on. Use the address of the USCIS office on the bottom of the interview notice (Form I-797C).

Briefly explain in the letter why you cannot attend, and request an interview date at a later time. (Also mention your first possible availability, for example if you will be hospitalized for the next five weeks.) Enclose the interview notice that USCIS sent you, after making a copy for yourself.

If you can't send the notice to USCIS before the interview, you can still file a motion to reopen under 8 C.F.R. Section 103.5, but would be wise to get an attorney's help.

For all other types of reschedule requests, carefully read your notice from USCIS or consult an experienced immigration attorney.