Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights | National Immigrant Justice Center
208 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60604 | ph: 312-660-1370 | fax: 312-660-1505 | web: www.immigrantjustice.org
BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENT
My client has been scheduled for a biometrics appointment. What is this appointment and
should I attend with my client?
o The biometrics appointment is required for all U visa applicants aged 14-75. At the
appointment, the official will take client’s digital fingerprints and a digital photograph.
Your client must attend this appointment or she will abandon her application. There
is no need for you to accompany your client to the appointment.
What should my client take to the appointment?
o The client should take the original biometrics appointment notice and a photo
identification
My client is outside of the United States and has received a “Request for Evidence” with an
enclosed FBI fingerprint card. What should I do with this?
o You or your client should send the Request for Evidence and attached fingerprint
card to the derivative family member residing abroad. The family member should
take this to the nearest U.S. embassy or consular office where Department of State
officials will process the fingerprints and then send the results directly to the VSC.
The family member should not return the card to you for you to send to VSC.
My client abroad is having difficulty scheduling an appointment for fingerprinting at their
nearest consulate or embassy.
o Contact NIJC for most updated information.
o Because fingerprinting procedures vary widely from consulate to consulate, we
recommend reviewing the website of the particular embassy/consulate for specific
instructions. www.usembassy.gov. If you still are experiencing difficulties, please
contact NIJC as we may be able to provide you with country-specific instructions.
U VISA APPROVAL
The Vermont Service Center approved my client’s U visa and employment authorization for 4
years. Is this a normal time frame for validity?
o Yes, the VSC may issue U nonimmigrant status for a maximum period of four years
under 8 C.F.R. § 214.14(g)(1).
My client’s derivatives were granted U visa status for less than four years. Why?
o Derivative U status (U-2, U-3, U-4, and U-5) cannot be granted for a period not to
exceed the initial grant period of the principal U applicant (U-1).
o If you believe that your client’s period of authorization in U nonimmigrant status was
issued in error, please contact the Vermont Service Center directly via either the
attorney hotline or inquiry email address.
My client’s derivative was granted U visa status for less than three years which means s/he
will not be able to accrue the continuous physical presence required for adjustment of
status. Is there any way to extend the U visa validity period?
o Yes. Your client’s derivatives may be eligible to extend their U visa status to allow
them to accrue sufficient continuous physical presence for purposes of adjusting.
o Please refer these individuals to NIJC for an assessment of eligibility and assistance
in this process. At this time, we do not have sufficient resources to provide technical