Pleasant staff. Organized flow. Spacious. Clean restroom and area. Hard to find a parking spot. read more

USCIS Application Support Center - Outside - Public Services & Government Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

We were here for our UK visa and it was an early morning slot. We reached around 730 AM, it was a long queue. The gate opened around 810 AM, and the queue disappeared in a flash. Everyone was inside and after initial security, we all were at our designated counter. Ladies who check, what kind of appointment you have and point in that direction might seem rude, but they are not. Anyway, that was my POV. We gave biometrics and were out by 830, which means within 25 minutes we were done with the appointment. Parking: we found the street-side parking, it was $1/hr and can be booked through the app ParkMobile. But if you are coming at a different time, try the Elizabeth station parking spot at 233 Commerce Pl, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. They are also cheap $2/hr. read more

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Staff was very informative, helpful, and knowledgeable. An average wait time, not very long and everything moved along smoothly . read more

This is my experience in 2016. ONLY come here on the day of your appointment. If you can't make it, just mail your paperwork in to reschedule, don't bother doing a walk in. The answer will always be no. The one star is actually for the worker's attitude: From security to the person who gives you the number to wait to the fingerprinting person to the manager. Everyone is just so cranky and angry. Especially a female security who works the desk July 14th, 2016 at around 8:30 AM. She talked down to me as if I'm an idiot. Even though I was not yet a citizen at the time, I have been working and paying taxes since I was 18. Public servants my youknowwhat. My taxes pay for your salaries so the least you can do is be a normal human. I don't even need you to be nice, just don't be rude. The bar is pretty low. read more

A fairly good experience. We were able to bring your phone in, but not allowed to use it. Follow the directions of the employees inside. Around 20 people lined up prior to 8:00 AM open. You can park at the large city parking lot at 233 Commerce place. It's affordable and they accept cards. read more

Agreed with Nidia - don't come too early, and parking you can find at the Elizabeth train station about 5 blocks away ($4 for 2 hours wasn't bad). You *can* have cell phones. They will ask you to turn them off, though, and don't take calls with them if you're waiting. A queue to enter, fill out a form, queue up to the area to review the form, then wait for biometrics. We entered at #930, and ended up at #020. Took about 1.5hr to get through. Only the person with the appointment can go wait in the primary and second waiting areas and do the biometrics. The rest of us visitors had to sit to one side in the waiting area by the entrance. Overall, bring a book. Easy, but could be faster (everything still written/on paper/nothing electronic) and certainly is a lot of waiting around. But they get through more than 1k people a day.. so that's relatively efficient. read more

Went in with a cousin for her biometrics, the whole process was concluded within 45 minutes. All the staff were professional, helpful and made you feel at ease. All in all, extremely efficient. Facility was clean. read more

After reading some of these reviews beforehand, I was mentally prepared for an arduous wait and crusty attitudes when I walked into this ASC location today...but alas, that wasn't my experience. I had a 10am biometrics appointment and I arrived at 10 am on the dot and I was out of there by 10:45. The entire process took 45 minutes. I had brought all of these books and writing materials with me but none were necessary. Before I even managed to half way flick through my civics test booklet, my number was called. I interacted with a grand total of 3 people (the security guard, receptionist, and finger-printer) and they were all very cordial and professional. If you follow the rules, ie arrive on time, turn off and hide your phone, fill out a simple form and be mindful of your place in line, you should have no problems. Side note: Nidia's review is right on the money. I followed everything she said. read more

Great service, very organized and speedy. Most of the staff spoke Spanish, which in my book is always a plus. My appointment was in the afternoon so I was in and out in less than a half hour. If you have a morning appointment do be prepared to wait, it is the busiest time of day. No fuss about going in before my appointment time frame either. The only reason it didn't get the five stars was simply because parking is a pain in the rear end. Bring some quarters for those meters and cash in case you feel like parking elsewhere. read more

I arrived a few days early because I had a flight for work the same day, had all my papers with me including the plane tickets and the info about the trip, but the security guy just turned me around and refused to allow me to talk to anyone. read more

GREAT experience. They scheduled my biometrics for May 16 but I had to travel outside country during that week, i did Walk-in on May 6th. They made me go talk to ASC manager and i presented my situation and evidence of my trip abroad and manger gladly let me do walk-in. Please make sure you have corroborative proof otherwise they wont let you. place is great and no restrictions on cell phone but you have to keep it switched off. read more

My appointment was at 3pm, but I could have gone anytime as they just take you in the order you arrive and it is first come first serve type of thing. I enter the place by 2.22pm, and left at 3.25pm. The guard will make you turn off you cellphone at the entrance, and don't even think about turning it on before you're outside. Once it was my turn, the whole biometrics were taken in 5 minutes and was simple. The person working was very nice and courteous, explained what he was doing and what I should expect after. The place is conveniently close to the Elizabeth Train Station and at a very short walking distance. Though the neighborhood is a bit rough due to the homeless people everywhere, it is a fairly safe place to go during the day. If you're thinking of driving there, good luck for parking. You might be able to park at the post office across the street or the Saving's Bank, but chances are that your car might get a ticket as they have security people making sure the parking is reserved to customers. read more

USCIS Application Support Center - Entrance - Public Services & Government Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

Elizabeth ASC is extremely courteous and hassle free. The center is not that crowded during lunch hours and process of biometrics is pretty seamless. Cell phone usage is prohibited however you can carry your cell phones and need to turn off at the instructions of security guard. Overall the entire process takes around 30 minutes. Highly recommended. read more

One of the staff was unreasonably impatient and rude to my mom just because her fingerprints could not be read.

Pretty well organized center with kind employees. I had to get my biometrics done but I had a flight the day before my actual appointment. They let me do a walk-in, and were pretty kind about it. read more

Wasting my time!! I have a problem with my last name change so they sent me to talk to manager at 12.56 pm So I let her know that I'm here in front of her room. So she tell me to wait she will call me. 3 mins later she left??? For an hour break!!! Are you kidding me ?? I was there before your break time even 4 mins is still on your working time you supposed to take me!!! Never mind that so an hour later she came back call me in talk to me 1 minute and tell me to return another day. Because She need to see my marriage certificate which they didn't let me know on the appointment paper before read more

Excelente service, fast and easy. Staff very courteous and friendly. Bilingual is a plus.!!

My appointment was at 9am and I was out by 9.30am! Didn't even have the time to read my book ;) They have the perfect conveyor belt system, just follow the line/instructions and you'll be all right. Also, friendly and polite staffs! That's the way it should be in all government offices! read more

This was probably the best experience I've had with a government agency from beginning to end. I highly recommend that if you are just looking to renew your resident status then do it on line!! My dad had to renew so we did it on line, and within 2 weeks we were sent an appointment for his fingerprints and biometrics. One very important detail BRING QUARTERS FOR THE PARKING METERS!! I have to start by saying how courteous, nice, and helpful the security guard was when we walked into the Elizabeth office. The process was very simple fill out a brief form, stand in line to get paperwork and ID verified, then onto biometrics. The staff was incredibly courteous, and when I explained my dad was a little nervous they let me walk him in find him a seat, and they took care of the rest. Only the person getting renewed is allowed in that room. NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED IN THIS ROOM. By the way you don't need to take pictures they do it all for you. The whole process took a little under an hour. Very efficient, and well run!! read more

Early morning appointment and got street parking. Well organized center and processing is quick with fast TAT

As the last review says, I was also expecting a terrible service and very long waiting time due to the previous reviews I've read. I had an appointment today at 8AM and I got there around 7:50AM. The door was locked so I had to wait for about 10 or 15 minutes to get in. As soon as the guard opened the door I got in line and after 5 to 7 minutes they checked to see if my phone was turned off and gave me a paper for me to fill out. When I was done I went back to the receptionist and they told me to wait in another line. That was the longest one I had to wait on. The staff seemed kind. I went in to have my biometrics done and had to wait about 5 minutes for my number to be called. Everything was really fast and efficient. I left at 8:35AM and was really satisfied. read more

Went there for photo and finger prints today. Was in at 12:50pm and out at 2:30pm. The security guard was nice but that's where nice and customer service ended. You must turn off your phone if not you will get ejected. I seen one man who was at the final area before he was about to get processed he got put back to stage 1 again. After i had seen the security guard I was asked to join yet another line for a woman to give me a number. The woman didn't seem interested in the people who were in line she also checked the form the security man had given me. This step in the process is a bit pointless as security also checked my form they could issue numbers at the first desk and check the forms were completed. The woman took her time and talked to other staff members like we were not even there. I then was asked to take a seat outside the biometics area. After 15 mins they called my group of numbers and we went into the final waiting area before I was processed i waited there for an hour. There's a TV there with a tape about eVerify playing on a loop. They could put something better on that TV as people had nothing to do other than look at the 4 walls and wait their turn. I was then called and the lady that handled me handled me like I was a prisoner, when my fee and taxes pay her salary. She took my prints which i know its her job but she was very rough with me and acted like i wasnt even there. This place is worse than the DMV at least my local DMV are friendly. There is a parking garage near the train station its $4 for 2 hours at Elizabeth Parking Authority   Parking Lot Address: 233 Commerce Pl, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 read more

After reading the negative reviews here I was expecting the worst service and a long wait time. Our appointment was at 9am today (a Tuesday). We arrived at 8.45am. My daughter is on crutches and the security guard came and opened the door for us and let her go sit down while he checked our forms. He was very friendly and courteous. Next we went to reception to have our forms processed. Virtually no wait there either. The lady there was also friendly and took no time to process our forms. Unfortunately I have a nose stud and she told me I had to go to the bathroom and take it out. Meanwhile my daughter went ahead and got her biometrics done very quickly. I tried to take out my nose ring, but it was stuck. Went back to reception and she sent me to the manager to see if she would give me approval to have my picture taken with the nose ring on. We waited about 5 minutes for the manager while she helped out another family. The manager said I'd have to take the nose ring out, but she gave me an open appointment to come back anytime. I went back to reception and the lady told me to go across the street to the beauty supply store and buy scissors to cut the nose ring off. She said they get people with nose rings all the time and they send them there. Went to the beauty supply store, cut the nose ring off and came back. Within minutes my fingerprints and picture were taken and we were on our merry way by 9.50am. If it wasn't for the nose ring drama we would have been out of there by 9.15am, 9.30am at the latest. I am giving this center 5 stars because the service was excellent and fast. I choose not to blame them for the nose ring debacle because I believe it is USCIS who should notify applicants before the appointment to remove any facial piercings. read more

( 2 stars is average) One star was subtracted because all I could find was street parking. 10 minutes for 25 cents. The staff here is courteous and friendly, and appear more intelligent than the average government worker. The management and hiring here must be done well, as their exists a polite culture amongst the workers. No cell phones is supposedly allowed due to electromagnetic interference with the fingerprint scanner. The wait can be long however depending upon your appointment time. I would plan for a three hour wait, but you can get lucky and be out in 30 minutes. read more

Arrived at 9am for a 1pm appointment. The guard wanted nothing to hear about it. The number of people inside was smalish and I probably could have been out reasonably fast. Instead they made me come back at 1pm killing my entire day and now its so packed there is no place for an apple to fall.... So sitting here for hours with no ability to use the phone due to their archaic rules... No voice calls is fine, but no internet is just backwards. I guess I am supposed to read a book while all clerks are having their lunch... Taking prints (not the first time) should not take this long ever, they are worse than MVC... read more

For this USCIS, you have to go at the appointment time, cannot be any days earlier or later. I went there a few days earlier as the appointment day doesn't work for me, and got rejected! My first biometrics was taken at Brooklyn USCIS when I lived at New York. I went there days after the appointment and they said it was fine, as long as I have the paperwork I can walk in. Looks like this Elizabeth USCIS is much more strict. Parking is fine. You may find parking spots a few blocks away from it. read more

My total time there was 1.25 hours from 10am. The longest wait was for the biometrics and that took 40 minutes. They did not ask for all cell phones to be shut down in all areas - only while in the biometrics area. Other than that they asked for phone rings to be silenced and conversations to take be outside the waiting area. I agree parking is hard and some reading material is recommended. Other than that use your smart phone to catch up with texts, e-mails and web searches - no noisy notifications though. read more

just went here this past wendensday (4/18) took an early train to avoid any train delays as the notification from uscis said that lateness or no show gets your case "abandoned" and your case gets denied. our appointment time was 10 a.m. we got there about 8 :40, i explained to the security guard why we were early, he said "thats okay, we can do a ten o'clock we try to do an hour ahead anyway" he's a very nice guy, very friendly and easy to talk to and accommodating , he explained to me in detail how to get back to the train station and told us to have a good weekend, we were in and out in less than an hour, i'd estimate about 45 minutes. good service read more

The staff were pleasant and efficient. For those asking, there is a waiting area for families that come along with the applicant. You aren't allowed to use your cellphone inside, so carry some reading material. Overall, a good experience. read more

Wow! Never thought I would give a government office 5 stars. This was the best experience I have EVER had at a government office. Our appointment was at 8 the doors opened at 7.45. We were met by a gentleman who explained what was going to happen at the various stations and with our paperwork. Every member of staff was helpful, polite and had big smiles on their faces. If you are going to drive use one of the many parking lots in the area. We used one right next to Elizabeth railway station -30 West Grand St it cost us $4.00. Every government office should be like this! read more

First time here. Found a parking garage few blocks away. Appt at 11 arrived at 10:40 and out by 11:30. Pretty efficient!

So I am going to be honest and say I was quite nervous to go to my appointment here. My past experiences in Elizabeth have been a little scary and the posts about lack of parking made me even more nervous, not to mention having to deal with potentially rude staff. I had done biometrics with my kids in Newark years ago and that was a horrible experience all around. I checked Google maps to see where I could potentially park and how far those places were from the office. I decided to park at a meter, 25 cents per 10 minutes as has been mentioned before, but you can do 4 hours - expensive but I preferred to be close and legally parked. I had no trouble finding a spot around the corner on Chestnut. Put in for 2 hours and went in 40 minutes before my timed appt. The place was huge and 90% empty (Tuesday after lunch). Went to the first desk, showed them that my cell was OFF, showed my appt. letter and was given a short form to fill out, showed it to the woman at the first desk and was sent to the Receptionist, who checked my photo ID (Green Card or passport). She sent me to the final waiting area with a number (like at the grocery store), in 10 minutes I was called by a staff, we reviewed my info on a computer, I signed a screen, got finger printed (after my hands were wiped and sanitized) twice for each finger - a full on print and a rolling print. The computer tells the staff if the prints are good or not. Then my picture was taken and I was even given the chance to check it before it was submitted. I then was given a "comments card" to fill out and was on my way. I had been given a package for studying for the next interview - with a booklet and 2 CD's, as well as a form with a correction to one of the questions (new speaker of the house - Ryan). In all, less than 30 minutes, everyone was cordial if not very pleasant - and I was on my way. I did find out some days are very busy and things can move slowly and I am sure staff can be in bad moods at times, but you have the "comments form" to fight this and other venues such as Yelp. There is also a number on the USCIS site to report any issues. Bring a book or magazine if you cannot sit without something to do while waiting! My only negative is the parking issue, you can take the train, but otherwise a huge improvement on the old Newark location and experience! Now onto the studying! read more

Excellent Service, My appointment was supposed to be 11am. I went it 10 minutes early and by 11am I was already done with the fingerprints and out of the building. I was in awe! Excellent service truly!! read more

Great experience everyone was super nice and helpful. Efficient and not to much of a wait. No lots available during our scheduled appt but lots of street parking. As others have said bring lots of quarters. $0.25 per 10 minutes with a 2 hr limit. No parking apps here just good old fashioned meters. Busy little downtown. All in all simple, friendly and painless experience. read more

Went there for my biometrics ahead of my scheduled time. The staffs were quick and helpful. The office is neat and organized. I would have given 4 stars if not for 2 hours delay for biometrics. I had been to ASC in Queens once, and took only 10 minutes. Everything looks organized in this office, the staff were also quick, but for some reason the wait was long. Also to mention finding a parking place was an issue. read more

cannot get fingerprint done days earlier or later. Most uscis office allow early walk in.