The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services require foreign individuals applying for a work visa or citizenship to submit their biometrics. The USCIS requirements include updated vaccination records. An authorized physician must also perform a medical exam before an application receives an approval.
As part of the application and interview process, an individual may also need to provide digital fingerprint scans, as noted on the U.S. Department of State website. A government official performs an ink-free scan of the applicant’s fingerprints and then sends it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a background check. The FBI generally looks for personal information about an applicant, such as a prior conviction for an unlawful offense.
How may an individual opt-out of the fingerprint scan?
If an individual does not have all 10 fingers, the USCIS still requires the applicant to submit to a fingerprint scan. As noted on the USCIS online policy manual, however, an applicant may request a waiver if he or she can show a proven disability,
A government official may approve a waiver for individuals who provide verifiable evidence of a disability, such as a medical record provided by a physician. Examples of acceptable conditions that may result in a waiver approval include birth defects, deformities and skin conditions.
What benefits may come with a fingerprint scan?
The USCIS requires individuals to supply fingerprint scans with their work visa, green card or citizenship applications. The scans remain valid for 15 months, according to the USCIS. If an individual applies for work that requires a fingerprint scan and background check during that time, a potential employer may access the information for verification.