Is USCIS Open on Saturday?

No, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) is generally not open on Saturdays. While some limited services may be available through appointments scheduled on weekends at specific Application Support Centers (ASCs), the vast majority of USCIS field offices and service centers operate only on weekdays during regular business hours. If you're asking is USCIS open on Saturday, the short answer is typically no — especially for walk-in inquiries, routine interviews, or standard administrative tasks. Always verify your local office’s schedule in advance using official USCIS resources.

Quick Summary: Is USCIS Open on Weekends?

USCIS does not routinely operate on weekends. Most field offices, service centers, and Application Support Centers are closed on both Saturdays and Sundays. However, there are rare exceptions where weekend operations occur due to high-demand periods such as naturalization fairs, emergency processing events, or special appointment-based biometrics screenings. These instances are location-specific and require prior scheduling. For most individuals seeking immigration interviews, evidence submission, or legal consultations, weekday visits remain the norm.

Standard Operating Days and Hours

Regular USCIS office hours are Monday through Friday, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM local time. These apply to:

Field Offices (for interviews and oath ceremonies)
Application Support Centers (ASCs) – for fingerprinting and biometrics collection
Service Centers (processing mail-in applications)

Even among weekday operations, not all offices offer full services daily. Some smaller field offices rotate interview days based on caseload volume.

Typical Holiday and Weekend Policies for USCIS

Unlike retail businesses that adjust schedules around holidays like Thanksgiving or Black Friday, USCIS follows a federal government operating calendar. This means it observes all official U.S. federal holidays and remains closed on those days regardless of whether they fall on a Saturday or Sunday.

The agency also adheres strictly to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) holiday schedule. When a federal holiday lands on a Saturday, it is usually observed on the preceding Friday; when it falls on a Sunday, it's observed on the following Monday. During these times, even online support functions may experience delays.

Federal Holidays When USCIS Is Closed

Below is a list of federal holidays when USCIS offices are officially closed:

Holiday	Observed On	Office Status
New Year’s Day	January 1 or adjacent weekday	Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.	Third Monday in January	Closed
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day)	Third Monday in February	Closed
Memorial Day	Last Monday in May	Closed
Independence Day (July 4)	July 4 or adjacent weekday	Closed
Labor Day	First Monday in September	Closed
Columbus Day	Second Monday in October	Closed
Veterans Day	November 11 or observed weekday	Closed
Thanksgiving Day	Fourth Thursday in November	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25 or observed weekday	Closed

On these dates, no in-person services are offered, and call center response times may be significantly reduced. Additionally, case processing timelines often pause during federal holidays.

Why Do Some People Think USCIS Might Be Open on Saturday?

Misconceptions about USCIS weekend availability stem from several sources:

Special Naturalization Ceremonies: Occasionally, USCIS hosts public oath ceremonies on weekends at civic venues like stadiums or convention centers. These are celebratory events, not operational office days.
Biometrics Appointments at ASCs: Though rare, certain Application Support Centers may open on select Saturdays during peak application seasons to accommodate backlogs. These openings are announced via press releases or email notifications to applicants.
Private Immigration Events: Community organizations sometimes partner with USCIS for outreach fairs held on weekends. Participation doesn’t imply regular weekend operations.
Confusion with Other Agencies: Some confuse USCIS with consulates, embassies, or private visa processing firms that might offer weekend services.

Differences Between Office Types and Locations

It's important to understand that not all USCIS facilities serve the same function:

Field Offices: Handle interviews for green cards, citizenship, asylum, etc. Almost never open on weekends.
Application Support Centers (ASCs): Collect fingerprints and photos. Generally weekday-only, but occasional Saturday appointments may appear in the system during high-volume periods.
Service Centers: Administrative hubs that process paper filings. Not open to the public at any time.

Location can also influence access. Major metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, or Miami may have more flexible scheduling options due to higher immigrant populations and staffing levels. Rural offices tend to have fewer appointment slots and less frequent operating days.

Holiday-Specific Factors Affecting Availability

While the central question revolves around Saturday operations, understanding how major holidays impact nearby weekdays helps with planning:

Christmas and New Year’s Period

During the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day — often referred to as the “federal shutdown window” — many USCIS offices close entirely, even on weekdays. This unofficial break affects appointment availability and processing speeds. Applicants should avoid scheduling critical steps during December 24–January 2 unless absolutely necessary.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Though USCIS is closed on Thanksgiving Thursday, some assume Friday (Black Friday) might see adjusted hours. In reality, most offices remain closed or operate with skeleton staff. The weekend itself (Saturday and Sunday) sees zero public services.

July 4th and Memorial Day Weekends

Long holiday weekends do not extend USCIS operations into Saturday. Instead, offices close early on the eve of the holiday (e.g., July 3 or the Friday before Memorial Day). No compensatory weekend openings occur.

Easter and Religious Observances

Unlike private employers or schools, USCIS does not close for religious holidays such as Easter, Passover, or Ramadan. Therefore, while Easter Sunday obviously has no services, Easter Saturday operates under normal rules — meaning closed unless a special event is scheduled.

Practical Planning Tips for USCIS Appointments

If you’re trying to navigate the immigration process efficiently, consider the following strategies:

When Should You Visit a USCIS Office?

Plan visits only when required by notice (e.g., Form I-797, Notice of Appointment). Routine inquiries should first be directed to the USCIS Contact Center or website. If an in-person visit is mandatory:

Choose mid-week days (Tuesday–Thursday) for better staffing and shorter wait times.
Avoid Mondays and Fridays, which are busiest due to backlog accumulation.
Schedule biometrics or interviews as early in the day as possible.

What to Do If the Office Is Closed

If you discover your local office is closed on a day you expected it to be open:

Check your appointment notice again — ensure the date and location are correct.
Reschedule through the USCIS account portal if eligible.
Contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 for guidance.
Use the USCIS Office Locator Tool to find alternative nearby locations.
Monitor the USCIS Newsroom for announcements about temporary closures or special openings.

How to Confirm Current Office Hours

To verify whether a specific USCIS office will be open on a given day — including potential Saturday exceptions — follow this step-by-step checklist:

Log in to your USCIS online account and review your appointment details.
Visit the USCIS Office Locator: Go to https://egov.uscis.gov/locator/ and enter your ZIP code.
Select the office type (Field Office or ASC) and click for detailed information.
Review listed hours, holidays, and alerts — some pages display temporary changes.
Call the office directly using the phone number provided (if available).
Check social media (@uscis on X/Twitter or Facebook) for real-time updates.
Sign up for email alerts via the USCIS subscription center.

Note: Policies can change annually or seasonally. An ASC that opened on Saturdays in 2023 may not do so in 2024. Always reconfirm close to your appointment date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is USCIS open on Saturday for biometrics?

Rarely. Most biometrics appointments occur Monday through Friday. In exceptional cases — such as large-scale backlog reduction initiatives — select ASCs may offer Saturday hours. These are announced publicly and appear in the appointment scheduling system.

Can I walk in to a USCIS office on Saturday?

No. USCIS does not allow unscheduled walk-ins on any day, including Saturdays. All visits must be pre-approved and confirmed via official notice.

Are USCIS call centers open on weekends?

No. The USCIS Contact Center operates Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time. It is closed on weekends and federal holidays.

Does USCIS process applications on weekends?

No. Application reviews, adjudications, and data entry are conducted only on business days. Processing clocks pause during weekends and holidays.

Where can I check if my ASC appointment is on a Saturday?

You can view your exact appointment date and time after logging into your USCIS online account. If a Saturday slot appears, it will be clearly marked. Never assume a weekend appointment exists without written confirmation.