Can I file AOS (entered the US as K3) in Oklahoma City eventhough my permanent address is in California?

[K3_IR 0]

Hi.

Anyone who has an idea if it is possible for me to file AOS (as soon as I arrive in the US on a K3 visa) in Oklahoma City eventhough my permanent address is in California? Oklahoma Service Center allows in-person filing. The main reason for doing this is because I will be in Oklahoma from January to April 2007 if I get accepted in the review program. I am hoping to arrive in California by end of November 2006.

Since the biometrics (or the AOS interview) might be scheduled within Jan-April, I thought it would be more practical to file in Oklahoma City than to fly back to California for the biometrics or for the AOS interview.

Is it better to file in San Francisco Service Center (which according to the website, should be sent Chicago lockbox)? Would it be faster? ANd if I do, would they allow me to take the fingerprint scanning in OKC instead in SFO?

Although I read in some thread that the AOS interview in Oklahoma can be scheduled 6-8 months from date of receipt of AOS application. IN that case, I might be back in California by the time the AOS interview is scheduled.

Such a dilemma..Anyone who has a similar case or has thoughts on the matter? Thanks a lot.

Maru

[walls1010 3]

Hello Maru,

All AOS application will be send to Chicago lockbox and they will send back where you will take for biometrics and interview. And if you are planning to stay in Oklahoma then inform them by calling the NSC and sending the R-11(change of address) so that they will know where to send your appointment for biometrics or interview notice. After filing AOS you will receive a biometrics schedule in less than 2 months, but for your interview appointment, i guess you'll be back by then in California.

Good luck

[Cassie 8]

Hi.

Anyone who has an idea if it is possible for me to file AOS (as soon as I arrive in the US on a K3 visa) in Oklahoma City eventhough my permanent address is in California? Oklahoma Service Center allows in-person filing. The main reason for doing this is because I will be in Oklahoma from January to April 2007 if I get accepted in the review program. I am hoping to arrive in California by end of November 2006.

Since the biometrics (or the AOS interview) might be scheduled within Jan-April, I thought it would be more practical to file in Oklahoma City than to fly back to California for the biometrics or for the AOS interview.

Is it better to file in San Francisco Service Center (which according to the website, should be sent Chicago lockbox)? Would it be faster? ANd if I do, would they allow me to take the fingerprint scanning in OKC instead in SFO?

Although I read in some thread that the AOS interview in Oklahoma can be scheduled 6-8 months from date of receipt of AOS application. IN that case, I might be back in California by the time the AOS interview is scheduled.

Such a dilemma..Anyone who has a similar case or has thoughts on the matter? Thanks a lot.

Maru

They do? Since when? We weren't allowed to file AOS in person, and that was before the Chicago lockbox came into effect. I'll have to do some digging on that one.

Edited to say: Well, I found out some interesting information on the USCIS website:

Special Information for persons living in the jurisdiction of:

DALLAS DISTRICT OFFICE

EL PASO DISTRICT OFFICE

OKLAHOMA CITY SUBOFFICE

Effective October 23, 2006, if you are residing within the jurisdiction of the Dallas District Office, and effective November 20, 2006, if you are residing within the jurisdiction of the El Paso District Office or Oklahoma City Sub-Office, you must follow the filing instructions below when submitting an application based on:

1) A family relationship with an immediately available immigrant visa;

2) A Diversity Visa lottery selection; or

3) A Special Immigrant status, excluding religious workers.

These special filing instructions are in effect only for a temporary period. Please visit the local office website, www.uscis.gov, for more information and/or to ensure these special filing instructions are still in effect at the time you file your application.

A. Location of filing and scheduling of appointment to file Form I-485 in person.

If you are filing the Form I-485 based on the criteria specified above, you must file in person at the office that corresponds to your jurisdiction. To file in person, you must obtain an appointment through InfoPass, an online appointment request system, which can be found at http://infopass.uscis.gov/. Once you have selected a date and time for the appointment, you should print the appointment notice, which shows the time, date and location of the appointment, and present it when appearing to file your Form I-485 in person.

Personally, I would make an INFOPASS appointment as soon as possible with your local office in California when you get here to the US and talk to them about the best scenario taking your particular circumstances into account, as well as these new guidelines for OKC. Since this is a rare situation, there may not be anyone here on VJ that can help or give advice. I can tell you, however, that my experience with the OKC office was nothing but pleasant and very efficient.

Edited September 30, 2006 by Cassie

[K3_IR 0]

Hi.

Anyone who has an idea if it is possible for me to file AOS (as soon as I arrive in the US on a K3 visa) in Oklahoma City eventhough my permanent address is in California? Oklahoma Service Center allows in-person filing. The main reason for doing this is because I will be in Oklahoma from January to April 2007 if I get accepted in the review program. I am hoping to arrive in California by end of November 2006.

Since the biometrics (or the AOS interview) might be scheduled within Jan-April, I thought it would be more practical to file in Oklahoma City than to fly back to California for the biometrics or for the AOS interview.

Is it better to file in San Francisco Service Center (which according to the website, should be sent Chicago lockbox)? Would it be faster? ANd if I do, would they allow me to take the fingerprint scanning in OKC instead in SFO?

Although I read in some thread that the AOS interview in Oklahoma can be scheduled 6-8 months from date of receipt of AOS application. IN that case, I might be back in California by the time the AOS interview is scheduled.

Such a dilemma..Anyone who has a similar case or has thoughts on the matter? Thanks a lot.

Maru

They do? Since when? We weren't allowed to file AOS in person, and that was before the Chicago lockbox came into effect. I'll have to do some digging on that one.

Edited to say: Well, I found out some interesting information on the USCIS website:

Special Information for persons living in the jurisdiction of:

DALLAS DISTRICT OFFICE

EL PASO DISTRICT OFFICE

OKLAHOMA CITY SUBOFFICE

Effective October 23, 2006, if you are residing within the jurisdiction of the Dallas District Office, and effective November 20, 2006, if you are residing within the jurisdiction of the El Paso District Office or Oklahoma City Sub-Office, you must follow the filing instructions below when submitting an application based on:

1) A family relationship with an immediately available immigrant visa;

2) A Diversity Visa lottery selection; or

3) A Special Immigrant status, excluding religious workers.

These special filing instructions are in effect only for a temporary period. Please visit the local office website, www.uscis.gov, for more information and/or to ensure these special filing instructions are still in effect at the time you file your application.

A. Location of filing and scheduling of appointment to file Form I-485 in person.

If you are filing the Form I-485 based on the criteria specified above, you must file in person at the office that corresponds to your jurisdiction. To file in person, you must obtain an appointment through InfoPass, an online appointment request system, which can be found at http://infopass.uscis.gov/. Once you have selected a date and time for the appointment, you should print the appointment notice, which shows the time, date and location of the appointment, and present it when appearing to file your Form I-485 in person.

Personally, I would make an INFOPASS appointment as soon as possible with your local office in California when you get here to the US and talk to them about the best scenario taking your particular circumstances into account, as well as these new guidelines for OKC. Since this is a rare situation, there may not be anyone here on VJ that can help or give advice. I can tell you, however, that my experience with the OKC office was nothing but pleasant and very efficient.

Hi Cassie..

THank you for your reply.

I think I read that one about the temporary change but I guess I must have brushed it aside since it still said I can file in person for the I-485. I will do as you suggested. I'd probably check the available dates I can set an appointment using INFOPASS, taking into consideration my tentative date of arrival in the US (end of Nov). I'd check out the R11 form too.

Thanks for the feedback also about the OKC office. Oklahomans are a nice bunch. Spent 2 years in Stillwater for my graduate studies .. Made a lot of new friends too..

Thanks again...

maru

[Reba 2]

the correct address change notice form is AR-11 and this does NOT update your mailing address for any ongoing processes with USCIS. It is simply a notice to them that you're moving, and all they do is file it away.

If your sponsor spouse is accompanying you then you'll also have to file a sponsor change of address notice with form I-865. This may or may not update your mailing address, so it is always advisable to phone the USICS 1-800 line a couple of weeks after you send it to make sure.

All that said, its no guarantee that they're going to transfer your files, if you apply in Califorina, and then move to Oklahoma. If you can get the fast-track AOS in OKC after you move there, then just wait til you move there. There's no law that states a K3 has to file AOS as soon as you arrive. You just have to do it sometime before your K3 expires, and since its good for 2 years, you've got some time.

I think having an AOS application in one state and then trying to get biometrics in another state, or transfer your files to another state is always risky, and in some cases has resulted in removal proceedings because the applicant didn't show up for an appointment. If you can at all avoid an address change and/or AOS transfer, do it.

**edit to add**

regardless if you file your AOS in California and then move to OK or not, you still have to send in the address change notice forms. These forms are required by law, until you either acquire US citizenship, or until you leave the country for good. I suggest you download them now to read the instructions.

Edited September 30, 2006 by Reba

[meauxna 15]

Good catch, Cassie---looks like they are expanding the DORA (rapid adjustment) program to a couple of other areas starting very soon!