aos Question about scheduling for AOS (green card) interview

[Hemutian 68]

Sent in AOS package in October 2019. Status updated to "read to be scheduled for interview" in March 2020, but no change since then, and expecting it to be a while since the office processing our case (San Francisco) had the longest average wait times in the US last we checked.

 

My question is looking ahead to that time, whenever it may be, when they're finally ready to schedule the interview. At that point, does USCIS simply assign a time and it's up to us to be there at that assigned time? Or are we given a choice of times on an online calendar (like she was for the K1 interview at the overseas consulate)? 

 

Thanks

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

Just like with the biometrics you'll get an appointment assigned.

[SalishSea 17,836]

We live in the jurisdiction of one of the longest wait times for AOS interviews (Seattle).  It took ~14 months to get an appointment.  We were not given a choice of dates or times.

 

After 14 months, we made sure to be there!

[Hemutian 68]

15 hours ago, Letspaintcookies said:

Just like with the biometrics you'll get an appointment assigned.

Is it possible to change the appointment time?

My wife wants to travel home to China since she hasn't seen her friends or family for over a years, but I'm worried what will happen if USCIS decides to give her an interview time when she's out of the country. 

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

46 minutes ago, Hemutian said:

Is it possible to change the appointment time?

My wife wants to travel home to China since she hasn't seen her friends or family for over a years, but I'm worried what will happen if USCIS decides to give her an interview time when she's out of the country. 

The appointments used to get scheduled 5-6 weeks in advance, that would give her enough time to come back home. Though at the moment we see some with only a two week notice. 

You can reschedule if the appointment doesnt fit but you have no saying in for when it gets rescheduled.

[whiterose123 95]

1 hour ago, Hemutian said:

Is it possible to change the appointment time?

My wife wants to travel home to China since she hasn't seen her friends or family for over a years, but I'm worried what will happen if USCIS decides to give her an interview time when she's out of the country. 

You can't choose yr interview date, they will assign it and send it to you, if you don't attend it your application will be denied.

It's better for her to not travel abroad now, even the AP does't garantee the right of entry. You've gone through a lot to arrive here, you should be patient and wait until she gets her GC to travel. I'm in the same situation, I miss my family a lot but I won't take a risk especially with the actual political climate. 

[Hemutian 68]

3 hours ago, whiterose123 said:

You can't choose yr interview date, they will assign it and send it to you, if you don't attend it your application will be denied.

It's better for her to not travel abroad now, even the AP does't garantee the right of entry. You've gone through a lot to arrive here, you should be patient and wait until she gets her GC to travel. I'm in the same situation, I miss my family a lot but I won't take a risk especially with the actual political climate. 

Hmm. It seems you are being very cautious. Honestly, I don't think my wife can wait. It could be a loooong time before her GC, and she really misses the home country. She should be able to re-enter the US with AP and as a spouse of a citizen. People do every day and they don't have a problem. She's not a member of the Chinese Communist Party, she doesn't work in any sensitive field, so I don't think she's particular at risk. 

 

You said if she doesn't attend her assigned interview date, her application will be denied. But another VJer above said if she can't attend her interview date, then she can request to reschedule. 

[AstoriaAOS 33]

1 hour ago, Hemutian said:

You said if she doesn't attend her assigned interview date, her application will be denied. But another VJer above said if she can't attend her interview date, then she can request to reschedule. 

You may request to reschedule, but it is up to the USCIS whether or not to allow it. If they do not grant you the request, failure to attend the interview will likely lead to a denial.

[bpg123 12]

22 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

We live in the jurisdiction of one of the longest wait times for AOS interviews (Seattle).  It took ~14 months to get an appointment.  We were not given a choice of dates or times.

 

After 14 months, we made sure to be there!

Curious, is there a site to check the typical wait times for field offices. Just curious whether the Jacksonville Fl office is historically busy/slow.

[SalishSea 17,836]

4 minutes ago, bpg123 said:

Curious, is there a site to check the typical wait times for field offices. Just curious whether the Jacksonville Fl office is historically busy/slow.

Yep.  USCIS.gov, under 'processing times.'  You can check by form (I-485, for example) and field office.

[whiterose123 95]

21 hours ago, Hemutian said:

Hmm. It seems you are being very cautious. Honestly, I don't think my wife can wait. It could be a loooong time before her GC, and she really misses the home country. She should be able to re-enter the US with AP and as a spouse of a citizen. People do every day and they don't have a problem. She's not a member of the Chinese Communist Party, she doesn't work in any sensitive field, so I don't think she's particular at risk. 

 

You said if she doesn't attend her assigned interview date, her application will be denied. But another VJer above said if she can't attend her interview date, then she can request to reschedule. 

I've seen a VJer who got denied bc they didn't attend the interview (they received the notice after the interview date was passed, so not their fault) and they are still dealing with uscis. The uscis website states in which cases you can be rescheduled and you still to be approved. 

The AP notice literally states that it does not guarantee re-entry to the US, lot of people here ask if it's safe to travel so there is always a risk.

When I said the actual political environment I meant in general and not about china particularly, You can read on this forum about the K1 getting denied of entry.. Better be safe than sorry.. Anyway, that was just my opinion and you guys are free ! Best of luck :)