N400 Applications Do's and Dont's

[LotsOfForms 5]

Hi all

Hope I am doing this correctly!

 

I am just starting to look into the N400 process and like the idea of submitting online.

Are there any really simple do's and dont's people have experienced that is not readily covered in the USCIS guidance for completing the form?

I'm sure the guidance can't cover every eventuality.

 

The first Q I have is whether I can take photographs of my actual documents rather than scan them in? Printer is broken and wondered if officers will frown upon receiving photos instead? Things like GC, marriage certificate, tax transcripts....

 

The second question which I'm sure has been asked numerous times is the listing of trips outside the USA of 5 years, I shall be applying under the 3 year rule... is it wise to ignore the trips taken before I became a permanent resident? (Years 4&5). Not sure why they need to see any holidays I have taken as a non permanent resident really.

 

Any help would be most welcome.

 

[dilip 187]

8 minutes ago, LotsOfForms said:

Hi all

Hope I am doing this correctly!

 

I am just starting to look into the N400 process and like the idea of submitting online.

Are there any really simple do's and dont's people have experienced that is not readily covered in the USCIS guidance for completing the form?

I'm sure the guidance can't cover every eventuality.- Starting filling the application online and if you have questions, let us know.  It is a very simple process.  You do not have to fill everything  in one sitting, you can save and come- back

 

The first Q I have is whether I can take photographs of my actual documents rather than scan them in? Printer is broken and wondered if officers will frown upon receiving photos instead? Things like GC, marriage certificate, tax transcripts....- Scan copies are  better than taking pictures

 

The second question which I'm sure has been asked numerous times is the listing of trips outside the USA of 5 years, I shall be applying under the 3 year rule... is it wise to ignore the trips taken before I became a permanent resident? (Years 4&5). Not sure why they need to see any holidays I have taken as a non permanent resident really.- If you are in US for more than 5 years, it is better to provide 5 years history, since it says trips outside the USA in 5 years

 

Any help would be most welcome.

 

 

Edited September 4, 2019 by dilip

[LotsOfForms 5]

i) Hello thanks for the reply. I was thinking more about hints and tips (what's easy/quicker etc) , not just about filling out of the form. Anyway I will trudge through the questions and see if there are any roadblocks up ahead.

ii) I guess that's probably better although they shouldn't then give the option grrrr

iii) I have not been in the US for 5 years. I was made an LPR approx 3 and a bit years ago. So should I ignore details from trips that have nothing to do with my LPR status?

 

Thanks.

 

[LotsOfForms 5]

Ok another Q for you all

 

What is the likelihood of denial of citizenship if one is not working? Can they cite that somebody is likely to be a public charge even if they have never requested any benefit of any kind whatsoever?

[xyz12345 260]

https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/tips-filing-forms-online

pics are fine. don't know how that would work for multi-page documents. The IO might throw your documents against the wall (just kidding).

 

[LotsOfForms 5]

8 minutes ago, xyz12345 said:

https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/tips-filing-forms-online

pics are fine. don't know how that would work for multi-page documents. The IO might throw your documents against the wall (just kidding).

 

Haha, as long as it's not me thrown up against the wall !

I might use a combination of photographs and scanned documents.... just to mix it up a bit.

I took photos of the GC and just uploaded 2 photos (front and back) as it let's you upload multiple files.

[Mollie09 1,543]

Trips outside the US only count since becoming a PR, so only add those.

Edited September 5, 2019 by Mollie09

[LotsOfForms 5]

On 9/4/2019 at 3:56 PM, LotsOfForms said:

Ok another Q for you all

 

What is the likelihood of denial of citizenship if one is not working? Can they cite that somebody is likely to be a public charge even if they have never requested any benefit of any kind whatsoever?

Anyone have thoughts on the above? 

Thanks

[xyz12345 260]

56 minutes ago, LotsOfForms said:

Anyone have thoughts on the above? 

Thanks

imo If there's nothing wrong with their approval of your LPR status, I wouldn't worry about unemployment affecting your n-400 applic, especially if you came in with a family-based visa and never requested/used any benefit.

[afrocraft 314]

On 9/4/2019 at 4:56 PM, LotsOfForms said:

Ok another Q for you all

 

What is the likelihood of denial of citizenship if one is not working? Can they cite that somebody is likely to be a public charge even if they have never requested any benefit of any kind whatsoever?

On its own, zero. There are only a limited set of reasons for denial, and they are all laid out in the link below. Unemployment is not among them. The new public-charge guidelines don't apply to LPRs.

 

See Part C - https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-b-chapter-4

Edited September 9, 2019 by afrocraft

[Ontarkie 14,916]

On 9/4/2019 at 3:56 PM, LotsOfForms said:

Ok another Q for you all

 

What is the likelihood of denial of citizenship if one is not working? Can they cite that somebody is likely to be a public charge even if they have never requested any benefit of any kind whatsoever?

Never worked a day since moving to the US. It never came up what so ever. 

[LotsOfForms 5]

Thank you both for your responses.

Wonder if there are any stats on the % of N400 denials and the reasons for them. Not sure if the general public would have any interest in them, however as immigrants who are going through these processes there might well be an appetite (if only to worry yourself unnecessarily!)

 

[LotsOfForms 5]

Hello community me again!

Looked at the guide and it says in your packet (or upload if doing it online) I should show documents referring to spouse, such as birth certificate of child OR IRS tax returns / tax transcripts for the last 3 years.

 

My Q is if we have a child do we need the IRS stuff? I know it can't hurt but would need to request these transcripts, which takes time etc. Is it critical to have them or could I just take them along to the interview?

 

Anyone use any other evidence.. utility bills, leases, nominated beneficiary on insurance etc.

 

Despite being here a while we really don't have a lot of things in both our names to be honest. A credit card and the water bill I think! 

 

Any help is appreciated.

[xyz12345 260]

10 hours ago, LotsOfForms said:

Thank you both for your responses.

Wonder if there are any stats on the % of N400 denials and the reasons for them. Not sure if the general public would have any interest in them, however as immigrants who are going through these processes there might well be an appetite (if only to worry yourself unnecessarily!)

 

Here are some numbers, Surprisingly, at least 10% get denied

 

https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-studies/immigration-forms-data?topic_id=20709&page=1

 

 

[LotsOfForms 5]

4 hours ago, xyz12345 said:

Here are some numbers, Surprisingly, at least 10% get denied

 

https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-studies/immigration-forms-data?topic_id=20709&page=1

 

 

Thanks so much, I geeked out over some of this information.

"Friendliest" cities to N400 applicants appear to be Newark, New York, San Fran, San Jose, Santa Ana and Seattle.. only a rough guide.

 

The denied column also includes withdrawn applications which could mean those where people have applied too early, applied without satisfying the 3 month residency at current address rule etc.

 

ps was just looking at 2nd Q data from last year as it was the first report listed on webpage. Things might look different now.

 

Edit

Yes things sure have changed.., latest report switches out some of those cities above. I'm sure lots change qtr by qtr.

 

 

Edited September 11, 2019 by LotsOfForms