The address 4313 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL 33618, is not a typical residential or retail location; it is one of the most crucial, high-traffic government facilities in the entire Tampa Bay area. As of December 2025, this unassuming building serves as the vital U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Application Support Center (ASC) for thousands of applicants across West Central Florida. This facility is the gateway where foreign nationals take a mandatory step toward permanent residency, citizenship, and other essential immigration statuses, making it a pivotal point in the journey of American hopefuls.
The significance of this single address extends far beyond its physical footprint on Gunn Highway. It represents a mandatory checkpoint in the federal immigration process, collecting critical biometric data—fingerprints, photographs, and electronic signatures—that are essential for background checks and identity verification for applications ranging from Green Cards to Naturalization. Understanding the function of the 4313 Gunn Highway location is key to navigating the complex landscape of U.S. immigration services in Florida.
The Critical Role of 4313 Gunn Highway in U.S. Immigration
The Application Support Center (ASC) at 4313 Gunn Highway is not a USCIS Field Office, which handles interviews and naturalization ceremonies. Instead, its sole mission is the collection of biometrics, a non-negotiable step for nearly all applicants seeking immigration benefits.
This process, often referred to as a "biometrics appointment," is a fundamental component of the USCIS security and vetting procedures. The data collected is forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other relevant federal agencies to conduct comprehensive background checks, ensuring national security and preventing fraud.
Key Services Provided at the ASC
- Fingerprint Collection: Digital scans of all ten fingerprints are taken.
- Digital Photography: A current photograph is taken for identification purposes and to be linked to the applicant's file.
- Electronic Signatures: Applicants provide a digital signature to be used on their official documents.
For many applicants, receiving the appointment notice for the 4313 Gunn Highway ASC is a major milestone, signaling that their initial application has been received and is progressing. The center's efficiency directly impacts the processing times for various immigration forms, including Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) and Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence).
Navigating the USCIS Biometrics Appointment Process
A visit to the Application Support Center is highly structured and strictly managed by appointment. Unlike the USCIS Field Office located elsewhere in Tampa, the Gunn Highway ASC does not offer walk-in services for general inquiries or unscheduled appointments.
The only way an applicant will visit 4313 Gunn Highway is after receiving an official appointment notice, Form I-797C, Notice of Action, which specifies the exact date, time, and location. This notice is mandatory for entry and must be presented along with a valid form of government-issued photo identification.
Strict Appointment Protocols:
Applicants are strongly advised to arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled time to avoid overcrowding in the facility's waiting area. The process itself is usually quick, often taking less than 30 minutes once the applicant is called, but wait times can vary based on the daily volume of appointments.
Rescheduling and Exceptions:
If an applicant needs to reschedule their biometrics appointment for "good cause," they must follow the instructions provided on their notice or utilize the online tools available through their USCIS account.
A notable exception to the appointment rule exists for military personnel. The Tampa ASC at 4313 Gunn Highway provides dedicated services to active-duty military members and their families from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, who do not require a prior appointment for certain services.
Gunn Highway and the 33618 Corridor: A Tampa Bay Commercial Hub
The location of the USCIS ASC is strategic, situated along the heavily-trafficked Gunn Highway corridor within the 33618 ZIP code of Hillsborough County. This area is a blend of established residential communities and active commercial developments, making it easily accessible from various parts of the Tampa Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The 33618 area is often associated with the affluent and well-established Carrollwood neighborhood, as well as nearby areas like Citrus Park and Northdale. This section of Gunn Highway is a crucial artery connecting northern Tampa suburbs to major thoroughfares like Dale Mabry Highway and Veterans Expressway.
Commercial and Community Entities in the Vicinity
The choice of this location for a major federal facility reflects the area's strong commercial visibility and accessibility. While the USCIS ASC is the primary occupant, the surrounding area is a hub for numerous other entities, demonstrating the corridor's economic activity:
- Community Development Districts (CDDs): Several CDD management offices, such as those for Terra Bella and River Bend, are located nearby, often using the 4131 Gunn Highway address, indicating a concentration of administrative and property management services.
- Local Businesses: The corridor hosts a variety of small and large businesses, from local eateries to professional services and retail centers. The presence of a Summit Salon Academy further north on Gunn Highway highlights the mix of commercial and educational entities.
- Real Estate Activity: The entire Gunn Highway stretch is considered an active commercial corridor, with properties frequently changing hands for development or redevelopment, benefiting from high traffic counts and strong demographics.
The fact that a federal agency like USCIS chose 4313 Gunn Highway underscores its central and accessible position within the greater Tampa area. It ensures that applicants from various surrounding counties—including Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk—have a relatively convenient location for their mandatory biometrics appointments.
The Impact of the USCIS ASC on the Local Community
The presence of the USCIS Application Support Center at 4313 Gunn Highway has a quiet but profound impact on the local community and the state's immigration landscape. It serves as an essential infrastructure point for the diverse population of Florida, which is home to a significant number of foreign-born residents.
The center facilitates the legal integration of new residents, supporting the local economy and cultural diversity. Furthermore, its operation creates local job opportunities, such as the Biometric Technician roles responsible for conducting the fingerprinting and photography process.
For applicants, the journey to 4313 Gunn Highway is often a moment of anxiety and hope. Successfully completing the biometrics appointment is a necessary hurdle that allows them to move forward with their applications for permanent residency (Green Card), employment authorization (EAD), or ultimately, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.
In conclusion, 4313 Gunn Highway is far more than just an address in the 33618 ZIP code. It is a critical piece of the federal government's infrastructure in Florida, a central facility for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and a place where thousands of individuals annually take a fundamental step toward achieving the American Dream. The USCIS ASC stands as a silent sentinel on the Carrollwood commercial strip, processing the futures of countless new Americans.
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