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How long does it take to process biometrics and the I-131 travel document?

I am a lawful permanent resident through EB-5 and I have already applied for the I-131 travel document. However, after I received a letter confirming that USCIS had received my application and I was given a receipt number, I have waited for over 10 weeks. I cannot search my case status through the official website, which displays my receipt number as invalid. How long does it take to process biometrics and the I-131 travel document? What should I do now? Is there any other way to check my application status?

Answers

• Bernard P Wolfsdorf

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 20, 2018

  These take three to five months, presently.

• Julia Roussinova

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 6, 2018

  You should make an InfoPass appointment or call USCIS customer service. Generally, most biometrics notices will arrive within four to six weeks of filing for a benefit.

• A Olusanjo Omoniyi

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 5, 2018

  You should seriously consider signing up for an InfoPass by which you can set up an appointment to meet immigration official(s) at the nearest immigration services office. At the meeting you can check the your application status. Just make sure you take all relevant documents relating to your case with you to assist in accessing your case.

• BoBi Ahn

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 5, 2018

  Usually within 30 days after filing the biometrics appointment notice is sent. You should try contacting the USCIS national customer service center by phone to see what the status of your case is.

• Lynne Feldman

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 4, 2018

  You can call customer service.

• Charles Foster

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 4, 2018

  The length of time it takes to process biometrics and issue the U.S. re-entry permit will vary, as to a great extent it is a product of the USCIS workload and backlog. But typically it can take many months. Furthermore, a U.S. re-entry permit is limited to being used in only two circumstances: where absolutely necessary because the lawful permanent resident (LPR) does not have another travel document and he can use the U.S. re-entry permit as a travel document for the purpose of having visas issued by other countries; or in order to prove that the applicant for readmission did not have an intention of abandoning his/her LPR. An LPR can normally stay out for less than six months without any problem. However if one stays out for more than six months, there is a presumption that the LPR intended to abandon his/her residency. Typically if one stays out continuously for more than 12 months, there is a conclusive presumption that one did abandon his/her residency. However, by having a U.S. re-entry permit, one could enter on same within a two-year period, even if one had been out of the U.S. for longer than two years. In each case the applicant for re-admission must establish that he or she did not intend to abandon U.S. residency.

• Jinhee Wilde

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 4, 2018

  An ASC biometric appointment notice should come within a month or six weeks after the application is received. You may want to make an InfoPass appointment at the nearest USCIS office and make an inquiry with your full application copy and receipt notice.

• Belma Demirovic Chinchoy

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 4, 2018

  You can call USCIS. I-131 generally takes three to four months.

• Marisa Casablanca

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 4, 2018

  It usually it takes about 3 months to receive the travel document. However, lately all processes with USCIS are delayed. Some are taking about six months. As far as the biometrics, it should have been done within a month of your applying. You should call the number on your receipt and ask to speak to a supervisor to clear up the issues you mentioned.

• Jimena G Cabrera

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 4, 2018

  Usually, it takes between two to three weeks. In some instances it takes longer because the application is being sent to another service center for faster adjudication. I suggest to call USCIS and file a service request for this application.