Removing Conditions - New Biometrics Process for Conditional Permanent Residents

[Lady Hawk]

February 28, 2007

New Biometrics Process for Conditional Permanent Residents

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces the implementation of a new nationwide biometrics process for conditional permanent residents who file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. The new process is effective immediately. Under the old process, following the approval of Form I-751, an approval notice was issued instructing the applicant to appear at a USCIS District Office for processing of his or her Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”). The approved applicant would manually submit passport-style photographs, index fingerprints, and a signature on Form I-89, I-551 or I-586 Card Data Collection Form, for creation of his or her permanent resident card.

The new process, as authorized in 71 Federal Register 15469 (March 28, 2006), requires all conditional permanent residents to appear at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) after filing Form I-751 in order to have their biometrics electronically captured.

An ASC appointment notice will automatically be sent by mail to the applicant with the specific date, time and location for biometric processing. Biometric processing includes the electronic capture of an applicant’s photograph, signature, index fingerprint and ten-print fingerprints. The photograph, signature and index fingerprint are used to generate the lawful permanent resident card, if the Form I-751 is approved. The ten-print fingerprints are captured for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check and are processed for applicants between the ages of 14 and 79.
Applicants (except for “overseas applicants” described below) will no longer be required to submit passport style photographs, since photographs will be captured at an ASC.

USCIS requires all conditional permanent residents, including those residing overseas pursuant to military or government orders, to submit the standard base petition fee of $205 and a biometric services fee of $70. Following the submission of all applicable fees, a scheduled appearance at an ASC and the approval of Form I-751, applicants will be issued a permanent resident card by mail. The process for “applicants overseas due to military or government orders” is different and is described below.

It is important to note that each conditional resident dependent eligible to be included on the principal applicant’s Form I-751 and listed under Part 5 of Form I-751, must submit an additional biometric services fee of $70. This includes dependents residing overseas pursuant to military or government orders, regardless of age.

Purpose of The New Process
This new process will enhance security and enable USCIS to provide better customer service. Elimination of the manual processing of Form I-89 will reduce the potential for fraud by electronically verifying the identity of an applicant through his or her unique biometrics. An applicant can now check his or her case status on-line and minimize visits to USCIS Field Offices. By using electronic fingerprint technology, rather than manually capturing fingerprints, USCIS will reduce processing times for criminal background checks.
Efficiency in case processing will increase, and applicants will receive their permanent resident cards in a more timely manner.

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UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE NEW FEES FOR THE I-751 AND BIOMETRICS. SEE NEW FEE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE JULY 30, 2007