PSA: DO NOT SEND YOUR PAPERS WITH USPS

[Going through 5,668]

I know it's a stressful way to begin an already stressful process---keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[ScarletNIW 5]

1 hour ago, skim00 said:

So after two months of stressing over the paperwork, my husband and I finally sent our package last Friday.  We are in LA and the post office worker said the package would be delivered by this Monday.  Well, this has NOT happened at all.  The tracking has been stuck "in transit to destination" in Chicago for this entire week.  Even though I've called USPS and made an inquiry email, I haven't received any real help or answers.  I'm simultaneously angry and trying to be patient.  Anyways, this is just a warning to everyone who's about to send their packages out.  I suggest using FedEx or UPS because unfortunately USPS is too unreliable to trust with such important documents.  

You are right this happened to me several times and I have friends reporting the same issue. In my case it was urgent so I sent the package again but with UPS; my friend did the same with the OPT application. Eventually USPS delivered the package without updating the online tracking and with a week of delay. We both ended up paying the fees twice and had to withdraw one application. i know other people with the same issue: USPS then delivered the packages one or two weeks after. If you mailed an application to USCIS you will figure out if it was delivered only when USCIS will cash the check.

[Sarasota 178]

I had USPS tracking for my AOS paperwork. The tracking never changed to 'delivered'. I just got the email/text receipts from USCIS a few days later. I don't think the USPS tracking ever changed from 'in transit'. 

 

I don't know if this is the same for you

[luvflyfishing2 2]

OP

We sent our papers USPS Priority Mail last Friday the 4th and received notification yesterday on the 10th via email that they received our papers and they were in process. That being said personally I've had bad experience with USPS FedEx ups and all of them for various types of me also I think sometimes it's just a matter of who's handling your documents or mail at the time. Best of wishes that you get a verification on that and that's why we always should have spare documentation for our records and for backup. 

[Springrain22 427]

Sent all my paperwork with USPS Priority Express, all went great, so your mile may vary. Do not blame the whole provider only by your case.

[JTTE 37]

I sent mine AOS packet yesterday with UPS and it got to Chicago after just 12 hours (we live in California)... but I payed almost $90!!! Super expensive but we were in a rush and it was more than 3 pounds of documents... so I think it worth it. 

I wish yours get there today so you can feel better for the weekend! 😉🙏🏻

[Scandi 3,979]

We have been very happy with USPS, nothing gone missing. UPS on the other hand.. we were going to send an expensive Galaxy Note phone back to Verizon and that package "got lost" (somebody stealing it most likely). 

[skimmilk 32]

22 minutes ago, JTTE said:

I sent mine AOS packet yesterday with UPS and it got to Chicago after just 12 hours (we live in California)... but I payed almost $90!!! Super expensive but we were in a rush and it was more than 3 pounds of documents... so I think it worth it. 

I wish yours get there today so you can feel better for the weekend! 😉🙏🏻

I believe mine was just bad luck. Thank you for the good vibes! Been checking my bank acct; checks have not been cashed yet.

[USC1961 251]

33 minutes ago, skim00 said:

I believe mine was just bad luck. Thank you for the good vibes! Been checking my bank acct; checks have not been cashed yet.

USPS and lost mail? Not uncommon at all.  I wouldn't send an important document through USPS unless there was no other choice.  Just look at how many examples on this thread of people who had their mail delayed by USPS.  The real question is why wouldn't you use FedEx next day or 2nd day air?  The visa process itself costs thousands of dollars.   So a few extra dollars to save more time, headaches and money is IMO more than worth it.  I sent my K-1 packet next day air over the Easter weekend ~ $69.  Who knows what would have happened to it going USPS over the holiday.

 

In any case start preparing the back up packet just in case.  Best Wishes! 

[skimmilk 32]

9 minutes ago, Cruise77 said:

USPS and lost mail? Not uncommon at all.  I wouldn't send an important document through USPS unless there was no other choice.  Just look at how many examples on this thread of people who had their mail delayed by USPS.  The real question is why wouldn't you use FedEx next day or 2nd day air?  The visa process itself costs thousands of dollars.   So a few extra dollars to save more time, headaches and money is IMO more than worth it.  I sent my K-1 packet next day air over the Easter weekend ~ $69.  Who knows what would have happened to it going USPS over the holiday.

 

In any case start preparing the back up packet just in case.  Best Wishes! 

I'm really kicking myself for not going to FedEx, which is literally up the street while USPS is a 15 minute walk. I understand a one or two day delay but now it's been a week. The "in transit" updates are also a system update when the item hasn't been scanned by a worker or hasn't gone through an actual checkpoint in 18-24 hours. So basically the package left the distribution center (supposedly) and is now in the ether.

[QueenComley 295]

I sent some immigration paperwork through UPS express 3 day priority (My ROC package). It took 2 weeks. Stressed doesn't even come close. Nothing is 100% guaranteed to arrive on time.

[skimmilk 32]

2 minutes ago, QueenComley said:

I sent some immigration paperwork through UPS express 3 day priority (My ROC package). It took 2 weeks. Stressed doesn't even come close. Nothing is 100% guaranteed to arrive on time.

Holy damn, what happened?!  I don't know where ROC packages go.  Do they also get sent to the Chicago lockbox?  There was mention on the first page of this thread of someone who overnighted their AOS package and it took a week.  You're right that nothing's 100% guaranteed.

[Going through 5,668]

For what it's worth I'm just happy the postal system exists.  

 

At least we're not waiting for our packages to travel by carrier pigeon  

[QueenComley 295]

1 minute ago, skim00 said:

Holy damn, what happened?!  I don't know where ROC packages go.  Do they also get sent to the Chicago lockbox?  There was mention on the first page of this thread of someone who overnighted their AOS package and it took a week.  You're right that nothing's 100% guaranteed.

Mine was being mailed from Memphis to Vermont. I cant begin to tell you how frustrating and stressful it was LOL!!! But on the plus side anything with a tracker number can be traced, it just sat stuck in transit for days and days. I remember a few years ago I mailed a huge box of Christmas gifts back to the UK. I mailed it nice and early, maybe October time....the package cost $85 to ship by just standard USPS. It never arrived..... Fast forward to July the next year and I get a knock on my door and the mailman had the $85 package in his hands.... it had been shipped back to me. LIVID!!!!!!! 

[ScarletNIW 5]

3 hours ago, Springrain22 said:

Sent all my paperwork with USPS Priority Express, all went great, so your mile may vary. Do not blame the whole provider only by your case.

it's not only my case...It happened to me multiple times, also my husband and some friends experienced the same problem: USPS does not update the online tracking sometimes.