Immigration matters can be complicated and stressful. Especially if you have questions that you can’t seem to find answers for in the many immigration resources available online. What can you do? 

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers in-person appointments for inquiries and requests about your immigration matter. Especially if your request is complicated or urgent. 

Have a look below at how you can schedule your in-person USCIS appointment.

Update: USCIS No Longer Offering InfoPass Scheduling

During 2019 the USCIS phased out InfoPass appointments. The reason was the USCIS believed many people scheduled appointments where they could have been assisted over the phone. So, as a result, they created a new system to schedule an appointment with the USCIS.

With the new system, you must first call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. Here you can ask about your case and, if needed, will be scheduled for an in-person meeting at a USCIS field office.

If you want an in-person meeting, you can submit a request online here. A USCIS official will review your request and call you back to schedule an appointment if they believe it is necessary. 

So what exactly happens when you call the contact center? First, you will be directed to an automated voice system. This system can give you general information such as whether your case is “received”, “pending” “decision made” and so forth. If your question isn’t answered by this automated service, you will go to the first-tier live human operator. This operator will try to answer your question. If they can’t give you the information you need, you will go to the second-tier human operator who is a USCIS officer. 

The USCIS officer won’t speak to you or give you feedback immediately. They will call you back at a scheduled time with information about your request. If your issue still can’t be resolved over the phone with the USCIS officer, they will then schedule an appointment for you at one of the USCIS field offices. This appointment will be scheduled for around 5 business days after your call with the contact center. 

Unfortunately, it is not possible to say beforehand whether your specific issue will be directed to an in-person appointment. The USCIS schedules these on a case-by-case basis. Usually, in-person appointments are reserved for persons who have urgent requests. These are typically related to proof of status requests, DACA-related requests, emergency advance parole requests, or requests which relate to satisfactory departure. 

If you do end up being scheduled for an in-person appointment, make sure you bring along all relevant documents. These documents will mostly be the same as those listed below for the old InfoPass appointments. Typically identification and documents related to your case will be required. If the USCIS officer who scheduled your appointment mentions a specific document, you also have to make sure you bring that particular document along.  

In certain circumstances, the USCIS will accommodate walk-in appointments at their field offices. This would be where you go to one of the USCIS field offices without an appointment hoping to be assisted. This isn’t guaranteed, however. It is up to the USCIS officer whether they will accommodate you as a walk-in.

What is InfoPass?

InfoPass is a secure internet site that allows you to make an appointment with an immigration information officer at a USCIS field office. With InfoPass, you can simply go online and schedule an appointment instead of waiting in line for someone to help you. These appointments are especially handy if you have a complicated immigration case or question that you need to discuss with a trained USCIS officer. 

The great thing about InfoPass is anyone of the general public can make an appointment through InfoPass. You don’t need to go through a middleman or an immigration attorney. Even if you go to the busiest USCIS office, you don’t have to worry about leaving without getting an answer. With InfoPass you’ll be assured to get the help you need.

InfoPass grants you the opportunity to speak to an immigration information officer about your specific case and to ask as many questions as you want. Plus you can schedule your appointment at a date and time that works for you, and you can plan accordingly. 

Do note there are some queries you might not need to schedule an appointment for. These are requests such as: 

• You need a form. Most USCIS forms are available online on the USCIS website.
• General questions. Most general immigration questions (like what the USCIS filing fees are) are answered online on various blogs and on the USCIS website. 
• Checking the status of your pending case. If you are wondering what is going on with your case and whether a decision has been made, you can check the status of your case online. 

So before you schedule your appointment with InfoPass check if you can’t get help otherwise. This could definitely help save you time. 

How to Schedule a USCIS Appointment with InfoPass

To schedule your appointment via InfoPass, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the InfoPass website.
2. Choose the language you want to proceed in (English or Spanish).
3. Follow the screen prompts to fill in your details. You will need to supply details such as your name, date of birth, phone number, and zip code.
4. After that, you can select the date, time, and location you want to schedule your appointment for.
5. InfoPass will then generate your electronic appointment notice. This will appear on your screen.

In most cases, you can schedule your InfoPass appointment at a date two weeks after your scheduling date. This will depend on the availability of slots, however. 

If you need to cancel your appointment or reschedule it to a different date, don’t worry. You can reschedule or cancel your InfoPass appointment using the identification numbers that appear at the bottom of your appointment notice.

What Documents Are Required for an InfoPass Appointment? 

There are a few documents you need to take to your InfoPass appointment. These are:

• Your appointment notice. This is the printed version of the notice that appeared on your screen. This notice will contain all the essential information about your appointment like the time, date, the address of the USCIS office, and any further instructions on important documents you’ll need.
• Personal identification. The USCIS information officer might want to check your identity so take your ID, passport, or driver’s license with you to the appointment. 
• Documents relating to your inquiry. Bring any receipts, forms, translations, or original documents that might be relevant to your inquiry. This will ensure you get the right help at your appointment.   

The documents listed above are just general guidelines. Be sure to check your InfoPass appointment notice for any specific documents listed there.  If you’ve lost your appointment notice, you can get a replacement by going to the InfoPass website and filling in your details again. 

Read More

• How Do I Speak to a Live Person at USCIS?
• How Many Citizenships Can You Have?
• How Do I Know Which USCIS Service Center?
• How Do I Know If USCIS Received My Application?
• What “Country of Residence” and How to Know Yours When on a Visa
• How to Check Dropbox Eligibility with the App

Conclusion

InfoPass is a quick and easy way to ensure you get the help you need on your immigration case. With InfoPass, you can get in-person answers to the questions that are concerning you the most. No more waiting in line and uncertainty. Simply schedule your appointment to see a USCIS immigration information officer over InfoPass today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What Is an InfoPass Appointment with USCIS?

An InfoPass appointment is a service provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows individuals to schedule an in-person appointment with USCIS officers or representatives to discuss their immigration-related issues or inquiries.

2. How Can I Schedule an InfoPass Appointment?

You can schedule an InfoPass appointment with USCIS through their official website. The online system allows you to select a date and time for your appointment at a USCIS office near you.

3. What Can I Discuss During an InfoPass Appointment?

During an InfoPass appointment, you can discuss various immigration matters, including case status inquiries, requests for documentation, and general questions about your immigration process. It’s an opportunity to seek clarification or assistance with your specific situation.

4. Do I Need an Attorney for an InfoPass Appointment?

Having an attorney is not a requirement for scheduling an InfoPass appointment, but it can be helpful, especially if you have complex legal immigration issues. An attorney can provide guidance and represent your interests during the appointment.

5. What Documents Should I Bring to an InfoPass Appointment?

It’s essential to bring all relevant documents related to your immigration case or inquiry. This may include your USCIS notices, identification documents, and any other paperwork relevant to your situation. Check the USCIS website or your appointment notice for specific document requirements.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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