Biometrics and flying within the US question

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Hi all.

We are getting married tomorrow and my husband would like for us to stay with his friend for a week in Arizona as a sort of honeymoon, probably the last week of February. Two questions - how long does it normally take to get your biometrics appointment after filing for AOS? We plan to file our AOS in the next couple of weeks.

Could I put anything in my AOS package to request not to schedule my biometrics for that week? Also what would I need to take with me to the airport as a K-1 visa holder? I am assuming it would just be my passport, marriage certificate and I've seen people say I should book the tickets in my visa name. My I-94 would still be valid throughout February as well so would it be worth taking that?

Thanks

[Gosia & Tito 199]

1-2 months for biometrics afer filing AOS. Used to be closed to the 1 month, but can be local delays. You;ll have a NOA. You can't tell them that you anre not availble, but can request change of dates after you have NOA.

I wouldn't tempt luck with changing dates as things with USCIS are already on the messy side usually; but there is a procedure and people have done it, sometimes with dubious results.

[slowlyman 118]

It took about two months from submitting the AOS to the appointment. We got the letter on Wednesday for a Friday appointment. Not a lot of reaction time. We ended up requesting a new date. The risk would be the letter arriving in your mailbox while you are away. If you miss the appointment, your petition is considered abandoned.

Edited January 17, 2014 by slowlyman

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You need photo ID for the airlines. That would be your passport mosy likely. Ticket and photo ID names should match just because it's easier than explaining names at the counter. Nothing to do with your visa. You don't go through immigration points on a domestic flight. Once you have a state ID or driver license, that can be your ID on domestic flights.

There are things you can do about biometrice appointments but you are a worrier so not worth mentioning.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

It took about two months from submitting the AOS to the appointment. We got the letter on Wednesday for a Friday appointment. Not a lot of reaction time. We ended up requesting a new date. The risk would be the letter arriving in your mailbox while you are away. If you miss the appointment, your petition is considered abandoned.

They really give you that short notice? How can you check where abouts you get it done? Need to prepare them to be able to drive us because it'll probably be at least a couple of hours away. Is it the "Field Office" or "Field Support Office" on the USCIS office locator? That's the risk we're worried about, it arriving in the post and us missing it, especially if they only give you a couple of days reaction time.

Is it possible to call them and reschedule if you receive your appointment by post? If most biometrics take 1-2 months after filing AOS, we're wondering if it might be worth delaying sending my AOS off by a couple of weeks so we fly the week after we send it off or something. I mainly didn't want to accrue overstay but my I-94 is valid till March 9th anyway.

[slowlyman 118]

Don;t know if that is normal or not. The 2nd appointment they gave us a weeks notice. This may be office specific (Milwaukee)

It's a two hour drive for us. It required a full day off work. I needed more then three days notice to make arrangements.

To reschedule, you need to send the appointment letter back to them. I sent it overnight so they surely got it before the appointment date.

Regarding filing later, People here on VJ don;t seem to concerned about an overstay of less then 90 days. I don;t think any overstay is a good thing, but it sounds like you would have very little if any by filing later.

Edited January 17, 2014 by slowlyman