What's the verdict on I-751 waiting for 10yGC and applying for N-400 simultaneously

[Roni07 11]

At  the end of Sep 2018, I'll be eligible to apply for N400 Naturalization. I received the second extension letter (18m), however I just read on one of the threads that as soon as you apply for N400,  ROC will stop processing application.   Is it better to wait to get the 10yGC first, then apply for N-400 ?   Has anyone experienced that ?  If it's going to take 2 yrs for N-400, meantime no valid GC.  I know I have the ext letters but every time I travel and come back home to US, I scan my GC and it says invalid/expired,  then show first ext letter then second  ext letter. Since my GC expired, my Global Entry / Nexus pass stoped working. I would hate to have to wait for years for Naturalization, with an expired GC.  I somehow thought both I-751 and N-400 could work in parallel, while waiting to get approved for Naturalization, would at least get the 10yGC in the meantime.  please share your experience, much appreciated. 

 

Edited September 25, 2018 by Roni07

[Unlockable 7,322]

On 9/25/2018 at 1:42 AM, Roni07 said:

At  the end of Sep 2018, I'll be eligible to apply for N400 Naturalization. I received the second extension letter (18m), however I just read on one of the threads that as soon as you apply for N400,  ROC will stop processing application. 

You heard wrong. And this is why it is good you are checking here on VJ. They don't just stop with your ROC case. They simple continue it along with your naturalization.

On 9/25/2018 at 1:42 AM, Roni07 said:

Is it better to wait to get the 10yGC first, then apply for N-400 ?

You can. But why? That will only lengthen the time for you to complete your naturalization. If you are eligible to apply for N400, you should do so. No need to wait.

On 9/25/2018 at 1:42 AM, Roni07 said:

 If it's going to take 2 yrs for N-400, meantime no valid GC.  I know I have the ext letters but every time I travel and come back home to US, I scan my GC and it says invalid/expired,  then show first ext letter then second  ext letter.

Traveling with an expired GC and extension letter is perfectly fine. That is literally what the extension letter is for. To extend the validation of your physical GC. Simply take the extension letter whenever you travel.

On 9/25/2018 at 1:42 AM, Roni07 said:

Since my GC expired, my Global Entry / Nexus pass stoped working. I would hate to have to wait for years for Naturalization, with an expired GC.

It sucks we know. But it is what it is. As you have already been through the immigration process you should well know that nothing in immigration is fast. Everything takes time. But at least you are entering the last leg of the race and all of this will be behind you.

 

On 9/25/2018 at 1:42 AM, Roni07 said:

I would hate to have to wait for years for Naturalization, with an expired GC.  I somehow thought both I-751 and N-400 could work in parallel, while waiting to get approved for Naturalization, would at least get the 10yGC in the meantime.

You got to do what you got to do to get pass this. You are loosing sight of the big picture here. You are applying for citizenship. That means you can exit and enter the US without any of this hassle anymore. If it means walking around with an expired card and an extension letter, so be it. It is not as bad as you think.

 

The I-751 and N400 do get processed in parallel. What will happen is when the I-751 is complete and you have your interview, it will be approved. If, by chance, the N400 is complete at the same time, it will get approved at the same as the I-751 then you can start the naturalization phase. If the N400 still requires some time for processing, then you will get a 10 year GC until you get approved.

Edited September 26, 2018 by NuestraUnion

[Starkilla09 366]

As perfectly mentioned above if citizenship is your end goal go ahead and apply for it rather than wait for your ROC to be adjudicated before you can begin that phase. By applying for N 400 your ROC processing timeline gets tied to that of your field office N 400 timeline. What happens is your ROC will be sent to the National Benefit Center to be adjudicated together with your N 400 at your local field office on the day of your N 400 interview. I’ll use my case as an example. I filed for my ROC in December 2016 and N 400 in December 2017 while I-751 was still pending. USCIS just started adjudicating December 2017 ROC last month meaning if I hadn’t I would’ve had to apply for my citizenship but last month. The problem with that is my field office takes 13 months to schedule N 400 interviews, so by applying in December 2017 when I became eligible I cut the line early and now have just around 3 more months to wait. The only catch is I have had to schedule 2 infopass appointments to have passport stamped with an I-551 to use as proof of permanent residency since extension letter expired long ago.

Edited September 25, 2018 by Starkilla09

[Dashinka 25,885]

I completely agree with @NuestraUnion and @Starkilla09.  If naturalization is the end goal, there is no reason to wait for the I751 to complete.

 

Good Luck!