Booking flights abroad with AP, but still have no interview

[ChasUno 101]

Quick question here. I have an approved EAD/ AP combo card and would like to make a trip back to the UK to sort out a number of matters (dispose of/ sell possessions I didn't have time to sort out before leaving the UK, tidy up a few loose ends, visit family/ friends etc.) Moreso as I want to take on full time employment in a couple of months or so ,and once I do, I won't have the flexibility nor time that I have right now to travel back to England.

Though I have Advance Parole, I want to book flights in advance to take advantage of better deals and not wait until the last minute. However, what concerns me is that what happens if after I book my flights (most economy flights are non refundable/ non changeable) I get called to interview for the period I am booked to go away? Or even if I get called to interview while I am actually out of the country?

I heard a horror story on here of someone who was away when their AOS interview was due, they cancelled it thinking they could re-book and it caused huge issues for them.

Is there any way we can ask USCIS for an AOS interview after a certain date?

[Unidentified 2,930]

I don't have any answers, I just want to thank you for making me aware that re-scheduling might be an issue. I too was planning to book a trip back home to sort some stuff out too and I figured, just like you, I could always re-schedule. I'll keep an eye out here for answers, thank you!

[neoblast 138]

Quick question here. I have an approved EAD/ AP combo card and would like to make a trip back to the UK to sort out a number of matters (dispose of/ sell possessions I didn't have time to sort out before leaving the UK, tidy up a few loose ends, visit family/ friends etc.) Moreso as I want to take on full time employment in a couple of months or so ,and once I do, I won't have the flexibility nor time that I have right now to travel back to England.

Though I have Advance Parole, I want to book flights in advance to take advantage of better deals and not wait until the last minute. However, what concerns me is that what happens if after I book my flights (most economy flights are non refundable/ non changeable) I get called to interview for the period I am booked to go away? Or even if I get called to interview while I am actually out of the country?

I heard a horror story on here of someone who was away when their AOS interview was due, they cancelled it thinking they could re-book and it caused huge issues for them.

Is there any way we can ask USCIS for an AOS interview after a certain date?

I think AOS interview can be rescheduled only for a valid medical or family emergency and you'd go back to the beginning of line, most likely waiting for months to get another. You cannot schedule an interview window either. Rule of thumb is if you are staying more than the time if takes for the interview window to come and go ( around 30 days ) it's a risk and the only way to mitigate that risk is stay a shorter period of time.

Good luck!!!

[ChasUno 101]

I think AOS interview can be rescheduled only for a valid medical or family emergency and you'd go back to the beginning of line, most likely waiting for months to get another. You cannot schedule an interview window either. Rule of thumb is if you are staying more than the time if takes for the interview window to come and go ( around 30 days ) it's a risk and the only way to mitigate that risk is stay a shorter period of time.

Good luck!!!

Thanks for confirming what I had heard. Yes, unlike the Biometrics were you can just cancel and reschedule at will, the AOS interview seems to be a do or die scenario. Seems weird that there is no flexibility at all with the dates, though why they can't give a date earlier in the process rather than leaving people in limbo I don't know. It would make the near future so much easier to plan for those who are waiting for the AOS interview.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Travel sooner rather than later as the probability of an interview time popping up goes up the longer you wait. It took us 46 days before the interview back in 2011 when things were moving a bit faster. The interview day was scheduled for 30 days after the USCIS mailed the letter--so figure they give you about 4 weeks notice.

Dave