Applied last Sept, after 4 weeks received acknolwedgemnt in mid Oct, followed by biometrics appointment letter in late Oct, scheduled fingerprint on 11/10. I asked to pick up reentry permit in foreign embassy and my parents went back after their fingerprint. So far they haven't received notice to pickup reentry permit.
Although there are cases where the fingerprint is not needed, you have to wait for the biometrics appointment letter to indicate whether you can skip fingerprint or go to your appointment.
