Important Updates
Important Updates
July 10, 2025 | IrelandThe Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making
July 10, 2025 | United KingdomGames Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry
July 10, 2025 | United KingdomPartner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025
July 10, 2025 | PolandPoland: EU Blue Card Rules Relaxed
July 10, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Grace Period for Foreign Nationals in Irregular Status
July 10, 2025 | IrelandThe Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making
July 10, 2025 | United KingdomGames Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry
July 10, 2025 | United KingdomPartner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025
July 10, 2025 | PolandPoland: EU Blue Card Rules Relaxed
July 10, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Grace Period for Foreign Nationals in Irregular Status
July 10, 2025 | IrelandThe Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

USCIS Is Expected to Suspend Biometrics Collection for Some H-4, L-2 and E Spousal Employment Authorization Applicants

May 4, 2021

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • USCIS is expected to announce soon that it will not require biometrics from certain applicants for H-4, L-2, and E spousal employment authorization documents (EADs), starting May 17, 2021 and lasting through May 23, 2022.  
  • Until an official announcement is made, applicants for H-4 and L-2 EADs should plan to attend any scheduled USCIS biometrics appointment.

A closer look

USCIS is soon expected to suspend the in-person biometrics requirement for H-4, L-2, and E spousal nonimmigrants seeking employment authorization documents (EADs). USCIS revealed its plans in a filing with a federal court hearing a lawsuit challenging lengthy processing delays affecting these categories of EAD applicants. The case is Edakunni, et al. v. Mayorkas.

It is anticipated that USCIS’s narrow suspension of the biometrics requirement will apply to H-4, L-2, and E spousal EAD applications if they are pending on May 17, 2021 and have not yet received a biometric service appointment notice in connection with the filing, or if they are filed on or after May 17, 2021, through May 23, 2022. Precise details and instructions regarding the suspension have not yet been fully disclosed. 

What this means for employers and foreign nationals

The suspension is intended to alleviate some of the lengthy processing backlogs facing H-4 and L-2 EAD applicants, which currently stretch for several months or more.

However, until USCIS officially announces the suspension, applicants who receive a biometrics appointment notice or have a scheduled appointment should plan to attend their appointment on time. Failure to attend a biometrics appointment can result in the EAD application being deemed abandoned.

Fragomen is closely monitoring USCIS for details on the appointment suspension. We will send follow-up alerts as developments occur.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Games Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry

Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Learn more

Video

Grace Period for Submission of Documents for Temporary Residence Permits Eliminated in Portugal | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: How Trump's Immigration Crackdown is Reshaping Financial Industry Hiring, Travel, and Dealmaking

Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

Charting a Course: Securing Space-Sector Talent Amid UK Immigration Reforms

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

Canada Express Entry Explained: Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: UK Businesses Urged to Act Fast as Immigration Reforms Clash With Industrial Strategy

Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.

Learn more

Blog post

Private Client Options in APAC: Bespoke Services and Residency Planning

Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry

Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Learn more

Video

Grace Period for Submission of Documents for Temporary Residence Permits Eliminated in Portugal | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: How Trump's Immigration Crackdown is Reshaping Financial Industry Hiring, Travel, and Dealmaking

Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

Charting a Course: Securing Space-Sector Talent Amid UK Immigration Reforms

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

Canada Express Entry Explained: Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: UK Businesses Urged to Act Fast as Immigration Reforms Clash With Industrial Strategy

Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.

Learn more

Blog post

Private Client Options in APAC: Bespoke Services and Residency Planning

Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.