Is USPS not allowed as a return sender of documents?

Like the title says, is USPS not allowed as a return sender of documents? And if not, how do I fix this? VFS wont allow me to purchase a return label, and I cant find any info on what to do. I sent it off to the New York Office

Like the title says, is USPS not allowed as a return sender of documents? And if not, how do I fix this? VFS wont allow me to purchase a return label, and I cant find any info on what to do. I sent it off to the New York Office

What visa have you applied for?

Tier 4 Visa

Tier 4 Visa

I, personally, would not want USPS to handle my passport...

It looks like here are your options:
http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/usa/user_pay_services.html

Applicants should be aware that they may experience delays if any of the following factors apply:

You do not include the Return UPS shipping label with the application and supporting documents.

It goes on...
We do not encourage you to purchase the UPS Courier service after you have submitted your application as it could take a minimum of 24 hours to locate your application and link your UPS Shipping Label.

I think they will be contacting you to give them a UPS account that they can bill... at least this is what has happened for people for settlement visas (not sent to NY). This may delay the return of your visa.

Looks like you were meant to purchase return of your visa before you sent the visa...

i.e. (from the same website quoted earlier):
Courier Service

Available in the US and Puerto Rico

Service type 1: Return Courier Service:

This service provides an option for the applicant to purchase a UPS Shipping Label online to include with their application to allow for the UKVI Decision Making Centre (DMC) to return the applicants documents to their preferred mailing address, following a decision on the application. Don’t forget to include a print-out of the UPS Shipping Label in your application packet that you are mailing to the DMC.

Service type 2: Round Trip Courier Service

This service provides an option for the applicant to purchase both the return shipping label, along with the shipping label for the applicant to send their visa application form and supporting documents to the UKVI Decision Making Centre. Don’t forget to include a print-out of the UPS Shipping Label in your application packet that you are mailing to the DMC.

Are you applying with your family or a group? If you are a Non-settlement applicant (whose documents must be sent to the UK DMC in New York), you can use only 1UPS Shipping Label for up to 4 applicants. You simply need to add the details of each additional applicant in your group when making the purchase in our Shopping Cart. Simply select “Save and Add Applicant”. Your shopping cart will be updated as per the pricing for a group of up to 4 applicants (see below). Unfortunately, Settlement applicants (whose documents must be sent to Sheffield UK) cannot apply as a part of a group and each individual applicant must purchase his own shipping label.

I would not suggest USPS as a return shipper for such an important document. Not without tracking at least. UPS or DHL won't be expensive. I think it'll be under $30, depending on what option it get's shipped at.

They should contact you regarding return shipping. My suggestion would be to set up a UPS or DHL account now so when they contact you you can get them an account number right away.

I hope everything else goes smoothly!

Right, I got a tracking number. When would they usually contact me,if it is an issue?

I, personally, would not want USPS to handle my passport...

It looks like here are your options:
http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/usa/user_pay_services.html

Applicants should be aware that they may experience delays if any of the following factors apply:

You do not include the Return UPS shipping label with the application and supporting documents.

It goes on...
We do not encourage you to purchase the UPS Courier service after you have submitted your application as it could take a minimum of 24 hours to locate your application and link your UPS Shipping Label.

I think they will be contacting you to give them a UPS account that they can bill... at least this is what has happened for people for settlement visas (not sent to NY). This may delay the return of your visa.

Looks like you were meant to purchase return of your visa before you sent the visa...

i.e. (from the same website quoted earlier):
Courier Service

Available in the US and Puerto Rico

Service type 1: Return Courier Service:

This service provides an option for the applicant to purchase a UPS Shipping Label online to include with their application to allow for the UKVI Decision Making Centre (DMC) to return the applicants documents to their preferred mailing address, following a decision on the application. Don’t forget to include a print-out of the UPS Shipping Label in your application packet that you are mailing to the DMC.

Service type 2: Round Trip Courier Service

This service provides an option for the applicant to purchase both the return shipping label, along with the shipping label for the applicant to send their visa application form and supporting documents to the UKVI Decision Making Centre. Don’t forget to include a print-out of the UPS Shipping Label in your application packet that you are mailing to the DMC.

Are you applying with your family or a group? If you are a Non-settlement applicant (whose documents must be sent to the UK DMC in New York), you can use only 1UPS Shipping Label for up to 4 applicants. You simply need to add the details of each additional applicant in your group when making the purchase in our Shopping Cart. Simply select “Save and Add Applicant”. Your shopping cart will be updated as per the pricing for a group of up to 4 applicants (see below). Unfortunately, Settlement applicants (whose documents must be sent to Sheffield UK) cannot apply as a part of a group and each individual applicant must purchase his own shipping label.

According to , I don't need to use VFS

No, you don't need to use VFS.

VFS is just fixed-price UPS shipping, which has been. pre-arranged with UKVI.


You can also use UPS, DHL and I think FedEx too. If you are using one of these, you should have included a pre-paid return shipping label with your documents.

If you have already shipped the visa without including a return shipping label, and you don't want to use VFS, I would set up an online account with UPS or DHL and then if they contact you for courier details, give them your online account number so they can charge the account for the shipping (unless they tell you to do something different, of course).


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No, you don't need to use VFS.

VFS is just fixed-price UPS shipping, which has been. pre-arranged with UKVI.


You can also use UPS, DHL and I think FedEx too. If you are using one of these, you should have included a pre-paid return shipping label with your documents.

If you have already shipped the visa without including a return shipping label, and you don't want to use VFS, I would set up an online account with UPS or DHL and then if they contact you for courier details, give them your online account number so they can charge the account for the shipping (unless they tell you to do something different, of course).


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I used a prepaid shipping label from USPS, to and from NYC, and it's been 2 days since they approved my visa, and I haven't heard anything about any issues.

If you have already used USPS and you have a tracking number, then what's the problem?

Or have they told you that you can't use USPS and must provide another form of shipping?

It can take a couple of days or so from visa approval to the documents actually being shipped, so it might just be that it just hasn't actually been mailed back to you yet.


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I've just read from a few places that USPS is not allowed. A few universities in their guides (in the US) say USPS is not allowed, some reviews for the consulate say the same. I'm just trying to make sure if there is an issue, I know what to do when and if they contact me.

UKVI are the only people who can tell you for sure if it is allowed or not. If they haven't told you otherwise, then I don't think that there'll be issue.

If they do contact you to say it's a problem, they should tell you what to do instead.

USPS has always been allowed for US applications sent to New York before - I just wouldn't recommend using it because it can be unreliable and less secure than a courier.


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