Postage question from California to New York

It is postage time for me! I am relieved to have the biometrics done and everything complete.

Simple questions:

1. Can I use UPS or USPS? I think I read somewhere that FedEx is not acceptable.

2. I am using the suggested VFS global for the return label. Anyone use this?

3. When they return your documents, is it a signature required thing or does UPS/USPS just drop it at your front door?

4. This may seem silly, but how long do I have to wait to ship my documents? I think I read somewhere that you have to wait 24 hours after the date of your biometrics appointment to put it in the post....

Any answers to those questions would be a great help!

Thanks!

Exactly what are you  posting?

If this is a spouse visa application, it doesn't go to NY - it goes to Sheffield.

A tier 4 visa with passport and supporting docs

It's really up to you which shipping option you use within the US - there aren't the same shipping issues with mailing it to NYC than there are with mailing a spousal visa to Sheffield.

However, personally I wouldn't recommend using USPS as it's less reliable than the couriers like DHL and UPS, but as it won't be leaving the US, you don't have to worry about things like customs and international tracking (which can be a problem with international USPS shipping).

My recommendation would be overnight/next day shipping with either UPS or DHL. I'm not sure if the issue with FedEx is only for Sheffield applications or all applications (I know there were issues with international return shipping from Sheffield with FedEx).

The VFS Global shipping service is nothing more than pre-paid, fixed-price UPS shipping, so it's worth checking the price with UPS first to see if doing it yourself would be cheaper. As you're only shipping within the US, you may be able to sort out a pre-paid return shipping label with UPS/DHL yourself.

Thank you!

Have you heard of that 24 hour rule or did I make that up?

Never heard of a 24-hour rule. You can mail the application immediately after the biometrics if you want to (i. e. on the way home from the appointment) and many people do. The application must arrive in NYC within 14 days of the biometrics, so it's better to send it sooner rather than later.


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