International travel after interview

[Raj1007 1]

Hello All,

My wife has her interview scheduled in late June and may need to travel internationally the week after her interview. Since her oath-date is not likely to be on the same day as her interview data, I'd assume it would be another month before we have our U.S. passports & travel visas.

So I was wondering if she could continue to use her current Indian passport and travel outside the US and return back. Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks much!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

This depends on several factors, including the time of interview and whether she availed of legal name-change--prior to noon interview with no name-change oft gets same-day oath.

Yes, it is legal to travel outside US between interview and oath on foreign passport--but it may lead to questions.

One approach--she can ask not to avail of same-day oath option, let them set an oath-date (which will allow at least some delay during which she can travel).

She should absolutely not attempt to travel to India post-oath on Indian passport (even within the 3-month "grace-period" which India government officiously allows).

[Raj1007 1]

Thank you Saddle Bronc for the feedback, it helps. My wife has an afternoon appointment (2.45pm) and there's no name change.

This depends on several factors, including the time of interview and whether she availed of legal name-change--prior to noon interview with no name-change oft gets same-day oath.

Yes, it is legal to travel outside US between interview and oath on foreign passport--but it may lead to questions.

One approach--she can ask not to avail of same-day oath option, let them set an oath-date (which will allow at least some delay during which she can travel).

She should absolutely not attempt to travel to India post-oath on Indian passport (even within the 3-month "grace-period" which India government officiously allows).

[NickD 203]

Just find it a bit ironic that this question comes up quite frequently. No one was twisting your arm to apply for US citizenship, but by doing so, you are making a one sided commitment to the USCIS that you will follow their schedule. And since you made that commitment, should follow through with it.

Now having an emergency is a completely different story, here, you can notify the USCIS for that trip and arrange a postponement with a degree of understanding

Yes, you can make that trip between the interview and the oath ceremony, but be prepared to face the consequences. One consequence is if that trip exceeds your residency requirements that will deny your application. You also have to bring evidence of that trip to your oath ceremony. Another consequence, is that trip may cause long delays in your application. Just something to think about.

The USCIS makes their own schedule and expect you to keep it, if you don't, you pay the consequences.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Even after the interview, your wife is a resident until she has taken the Oath. Until then she can travel freely with her Indian passport and her Green Card like before. Not a problem at all.

[Caroline and Phil 14]

My opinion is: if this trip MUST be done (something very important, an emergency etc) yes, she can go using her current foreign passport but if this trip is just a vacation I would wait for the Oath Ceremony and go after it (with her American passport).

And as Saddle Bronc said about the name change (if she applied) I don't know if it could be a problem too because it would be in process.

I think this is a very good question and important question: if you applied for name change and travel AFTER interview and BEFORE oath ceremony could you face any trouble for that, since your name change is in ongoing?

So, again, my in my opinion I agree with NickD, since you apply for Citizenship you have to commit, so about international trip for vacay I would postpone it.

[Raj1007 1]

Thanks all for your comments.