How to Schedule a USCIS Appointment Online

How to schedule a USCIS appointment

You schedule a USCIS appointment through the USCIS online appointment system at uscis.gov/appointment. You will need your receipt number (the notice USCIS sent you after you filed), your date of birth, and your country of birth. The system shows you available dates and times at your local USCIS office, and you pick the one that works for you. Most appointments are scheduled weeks or months ahead — same-day or next-day slots are rare.

Not every case type uses the online system. If you are filing a new petition or application, USCIS assigns you an appointment and sends the date by mail. The online scheduler is mainly for people who already have a case open and need to reschedule, change the time, or confirm an appointment USCIS already gave them.

Key Takeaways

• Go to uscis.gov/appointment and enter your receipt number, date of birth, and country of birth to see available times at your local office.
• You can only reschedule or change an appointment you already have — you cannot use the system to request a first appointment for a new case.
• Available appointment dates vary by office and case type; some offices book months in advance while others have openings within weeks.
• Bring your receipt notice and a valid ID to your appointment, and arrive 15 minutes early.
• If you cannot make your scheduled appointment, reschedule through the same online system at least three business days before your date.

What you need before you log in

Have your receipt number ready. This is the number on the notice USCIS mailed you after you filed your case. It starts with three letters (like EAD, I-131, or I-765) followed by numbers. If you cannot find your receipt notice, you can look up your case on uscis.gov/case-status using your A-number (your USCIS account number, which is also on the notice).

You will also need your exact date of birth and country of birth as they appear in your USCIS file. These must match exactly or the system will reject your entry. If you are unsure, check your receipt notice or your I-797 approval notice.

The system works on any device — computer, tablet, or phone — and does not require you to create a login or account. You enter your information, the system pulls up your case, and you see what dates are open.

Walking through the online scheduler step by step

Go to uscis.gov/appointment and select your case type from the dropdown menu. The most common types are I-131 (advance parole or re-entry permit), I-765 (work permit), I-539 (extension of stay), and I-90 (green card renewal). If you are unsure which type you have, check your receipt notice — the case type is printed at the top.

Enter your receipt number exactly as it appears on your notice, including the letters and all digits. Then enter your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format and your country of birth. Click "Search" or "Continue." The system will display your case details and ask you to confirm they are correct.

Once you confirm, the system shows you available appointment dates and times at the USCIS office that handles your case. You cannot choose a different office — the system assigns you to the one with jurisdiction over your address. Select the date and time that works for you, review your choice, and confirm. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.

Print or save your confirmation. You do not need to bring it to your appointment, but it is proof you scheduled, and you may need the confirmation number if you have to reschedule.

What to do if the system says no appointments are available

If you see a message that no appointments are available, it usually means your local office is fully booked for the next several weeks or months. This is common in high-volume cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Check back in a few days — offices sometimes release new dates as cases are processed or rescheduled.

Do not call USCIS to request an earlier appointment. The phone lines do not handle appointment requests, and you will spend hours on hold. Instead, check the online system every few days. Some people set a phone reminder to check weekly.

If your case is urgent — for example, your work permit is about to expire or you have a court date — you can request an emergency appointment by mail. Write to your local USCIS office with your receipt number, the reason for the emergency, and supporting documents (like a job letter or court notice). Mail it to the address on your receipt notice. Response times vary, but this route is slower than the online system and should only be used if you have a genuine time-sensitive need.

Rescheduling or canceling an appointment you already have

Use the same online system to change an appointment USCIS already gave you. Go to uscis.gov/appointment, enter your receipt number and personal information, and the system will show your current appointment. You can select a different date and time from the available options, or you can cancel without rescheduling.

Reschedule at least three business days before your scheduled appointment. If you cancel within three business days, USCIS may count it as a no-show, which can delay your case. If you miss an appointment without canceling, USCIS may close your case or deny your request, depending on what you filed for.

If you need to reschedule but the online system is not working or you cannot access it, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. Have your receipt number ready. Wait times are long, but the phone line can reschedule you if the website is down.

What to bring and what to expect at your appointment

Bring your receipt notice (the I-797 or similar notice USCIS mailed you), a valid photo ID, and any documents USCIS asked you to bring in the notice. Common documents include your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, or medical exam results. If USCIS asked you to bring originals, bring originals — photocopies are usually not accepted.

Arrive 15 minutes early. USCIS offices can be crowded, and security screening takes time. Bring a pen in case you need to fill out a form. Do not bring weapons, large bags, or electronics other than a phone.

At your appointment, a USCIS officer will review your documents, take your fingerprints or photo if needed, and answer questions about your case. The appointment usually takes 15 to 45 minutes. You will receive a receipt showing what was done, and USCIS will mail you the results — approval, denial, or a request for more information — within weeks or months, depending on your case type.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the system says your receipt number is invalid, double-check that you entered it exactly as printed on your notice, including all letters and numbers with no spaces. Receipt numbers are case-sensitive, so EAD123456789 is different from ead123456789. If you still get an error, your case may not be in the system yet. New cases sometimes take a few weeks to appear in the appointment scheduler after you file.

If your personal information does not match what the system has on file, you may have entered your date of birth or country of birth incorrectly. Check your receipt notice and try again. If the information still does not match, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to verify what is in your file.

If you scheduled an appointment but did not receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder. If it is not there, log back into the system with your receipt number — it will show your scheduled appointment even if the email did not arrive. You do not need the email to attend; the appointment is in the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule an appointment for someone else?

No. You must schedule your own appointment using your own receipt number. If someone else filed a case and you are helping them, they need to go to uscis.gov/appointment themselves or call 1-800-375-5283 to have you added as an authorized representative on their case.

What if I do not have a receipt number yet?

You cannot use the online scheduler without a receipt number. If you just filed and have not received a notice yet, wait one to two weeks. If you filed more than two weeks ago and still have no notice, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 or check your case status at uscis.gov/case-status using your A-number if you have one.

Can I schedule an appointment at a different USCIS office than the one assigned to me?

No. The system assigns you to the office with jurisdiction over your address. You cannot choose a different location. If you have moved, update your address with USCIS before scheduling so the system assigns you to the correct office.

What happens if I miss my appointment?

USCIS may close your case or deny your request, depending on what you filed for. If you cannot make it, reschedule through the online system or call 1-800-375-5283 as soon as you know. Rescheduling is much better than missing the appointment.

How far in advance can I schedule an appointment?

It depends on your local office. Some offices allow you to schedule three months ahead; others book only four to six weeks out. The online system shows you whatever dates are currently available for your office and case type.