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Smelserjl

How much detail do we need to remember for N400 interview?

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Egypt
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My husband has his interview scheduled for October 31st. He's been prepping and studying, but we are wondering something on questions about the N400. I know they'll ask about dates he's traveled outside of the US. How much detail does he need to remember? Down to specific dates or will month and year suffice?

 

Will they wonder why he's traveled back and forth? He's gone back to visit family in his home country at least once a year since moving to the US. In my mind, that seems normal. If I lived in another country and I wanted to visit family--I would! But I do think sometimes people assume when you come to the US, you're never leaving again and will, in fact, try to get your other family members here (he won't. His family doesn't want to leave Egypt anyway).

 

Finally, are you allowed to look at papers during the interview to confirm anything? Like old address, etc.? Or you have to commit everything to memory? We've moved a few times since he came to the US.

 

Thanks!

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
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4 minutes ago, Smelserjl said:

How much detail does he need to remember? Down to specific dates or will month and year suffice?

If asked, month and year would suffice....he probably won't be verbally asked about dates though, since they will have already confirmed his travel history through their own databases before the interview.

 

If he left a good chunk of his travel history OFF of his application, or if he's traveled for long periods of time, then yes he will be asked about it most likely.

 

6 minutes ago, Smelserjl said:

Will they wonder why he's traveled back and forth?

The IO's concern is more about physical presence/continuous presence requirements and whether the total amount of travel abroad breaks that.

 

8 minutes ago, Smelserjl said:

Finally, are you allowed to look at papers during the interview to confirm anything? Like old address, etc.? Or you have to commit everything to memory? We've moved a few times since he came to the US.

Relax and take a deep breath.  The IO is not going to go through every single question on the N400 and confirm each and every answer.  They will confirm some things though, like current employment, the application portion of YES/NO questions about claiming to be a US citizen at any point, being a member of certain groups, etc.  The average straightforward interview is around 15-20 minutes not including the civics test.  

 

That being said, he should have knowledge of what he wrote on his application, and it's always a good idea to review any portions of his application beforehand that may be brought into question by the IO to refresh his memory (like any criminal history in his past).

Applied for Naturalization based on 5-year Residency - 96 Days To Complete Citizenship!

July 14, 2017 (Day 00) -  Submitted N400 Application, filed online

July 21, 2017 (Day 07) -  NOA Receipt received in the mail

July 22, 2017 (Day 08) - Biometrics appointment scheduled online, letter mailed out

July 25, 2017 (Day 11) - Biometrics PDF posted online

July 28, 2017 (Day 14) - Biometrics letter received in the mail, appointment for 08/08/17

Aug 08, 2017 (Day 24) - Biometrics (fingerprinting) completed

Aug 14, 2017 (Day 30) - Online EGOV status shows "Interview Scheduled, will mail appointment letter"

Aug 16, 2017 (Day 32) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Interview Scheduled, read the letter we mailed you..."

Aug 17, 2017 (Day 33) - Interview Appointment Letter PDF posted online---GOT AN INTERVIEW DATE!!!

Aug 21, 2017 (Day 37) - Interview Appointment Letter received in the mail, appointment for 09/27/17

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Naturalization Interview--- read my experience here

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Oath Ceremony Notice mailed"

Sep. 28, 2017 (Day 75) - Oath Ceremony Letter PDF posted online--Ceremony for 10/19/17

Oct. 02, 2017 (Day 79) -  Oath Ceremony Letter received in the mail

Oct. 19, 2017 (Day 96) -  Oath Ceremony-- read my experience here

 

 

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Egypt
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9 minutes ago, Going through said:

If asked, month and year would suffice....he probably won't be verbally asked about dates though, since they will have already confirmed his travel history through their own databases before the interview.

 

If he left a good chunk of his travel history OFF of his application, or if he's traveled for long periods of time, then yes he will be asked about it most likely.

 

The IO's concern is more about physical presence/continuous presence requirements and whether the total amount of travel abroad breaks that.

 

Relax and take a deep breath.  The IO is not going to go through every single question on the N400 and confirm each and every answer.  They will confirm some things though, like current employment, the application portion of YES/NO questions about claiming to be a US citizen at any point, being a member of certain groups, etc.  The average straightforward interview is around 15-20 minutes not including the civics test.  

 

That being said, he should have knowledge of what he wrote on his application, and it's always a good idea to review any portions of his application beforehand that may be brought into question by the IO to refresh his memory (like any criminal history in his past).

Thanks for this. We've been freaking out unnecessarily, but we're just so happy we're almost at the finish line and don't wanna mess this up! Thanks again.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
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My wife was only asked to update what she had already listed on the N400 with respect to travel history (month and year should suffice).  She actually goes back to Russia two times a year for a few weeks each time to visit her mother and it was not an issue.  I wouldn't worry too much about the interview, I realize it is stressful, but deep breaths are helpful.

 

Good Luck!

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US Entry : 2014-09-12

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N400 Filed:  2018-01-13

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Egypt
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On 10/8/2018 at 9:55 AM, Bill & Katya said:

My wife was only asked to update what she had already listed on the N400 with respect to travel history (month and year should suffice).  She actually goes back to Russia two times a year for a few weeks each time to visit her mother and it was not an issue.  I wouldn't worry too much about the interview, I realize it is stressful, but deep breaths are helpful.

 

Good Luck!

Thank you so much! I hope it goes smoothly. Almost there!

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
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Reading this post fills me with so much relief. My interview is tomorrow and I’m so nervous I can’t even concentrate. I’ve been waiting so long and I’m scared I’ll mess it up. 😰

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
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20 hours ago, asdfzc said:

how was your interview?

Great! Very chill. I was really lucky and had a fantastic officer. The civics questions were the scariest part for me (I get test anxiety), but everything else was ok. 

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