N-400 application question

[bps367 1]

I have a pending I-751 with 18-month extension letter. I am right now preparing N-400 application. There is slight confusion about 1 question on the N-400. 

 

N-400 Question: When is your GC expiring?

 

Confusion: Should I put the date GC actually expired date from 8 months back in 2020? OR, should I add 18-months of extension letter date ending in 2021? 

 

If I put the expiry date from the plastic GC from 2020, then should I also mention this fact in cover letter for clarity sake and maybe add the receipt letter of I-751 showing it's pending?

 

Hoping someone can help clear this out.

[Crazy Cat 44,526]

The 18 month extension letter extends the expiration date of the card.  Therefore, I would enter the date the extension letter expires.

[NancyNguyen 1,658]

13 minutes ago, bps367 said:

I have a pending I-751 with 18-month extension letter. I am right now preparing N-400 application. There is slight confusion about 1 question on the N-400. 

 

N-400 Question: When is your GC expiring?

 

Confusion: Should I put the date GC actually expired date from 8 months back in 2020? OR, should I add 18-months of extension letter date ending in 2021? 

 

If I put the expiry date from the plastic GC from 2020, then should I also mention this fact in cover letter for clarity sake and maybe add the receipt letter of I-751 showing it's pending?

 

Hoping someone can help clear this out.

Put the one on your card, they know what’s up.

[Timona 4,210]

2 minutes ago, NancyNguyen said:

Put the one on your card, they know what’s up.

 

I would go with @Lucky Cat

 

However, I hope OP is doing online application. I do not remember this question being asked when I did my online. Maybe I am just forgetful

[bps367 1]

Well, we already have two different answers. One from Lucky Cat and other form NancyNguyen. Which expiration date is correct folks?

 

I am going the paper route with N-400 application. I don't trust USCIS technological prowess to file N-400 online. Old is gold in this case, IMHO.

[Crazy Cat 44,526]

Just now, bps367 said:

Well, we already have two different answers. One from Lucky Cat and other form NancyNguyen. Which expiration date is correct folks?

 

I am going the paper route with N-400 application. I don't trust USCIS technological prowess to file N-400 online. Old is gold in this case, IMHO.

I think either would be acceptable.   It isn't something I would worry about either way.

[bps367 1]

Thanks SMSgt. 

 

VR,

Capt.

 

(Asking this for wife's app going out next week)

[Timona 4,210]

Just a FYI: 

1.  Online application is simple. 
2. Depending on the answers that you supply to the prompts, it will tell you what EXCATLY to submit as evidence. This eliminate you sending tons of evidences for no reason. You can still add them if you want.
3. Payment is cashed immediately you submit online.
4. You will get a receipt notice issued within 24 hours. You can download it immediately. It is the same receipt that will later make its way to you via post.
5. Now, with COVID, it is taking 2-3 months for USCIS to cash in checks and issue receipt. Compare this with 3 above. You still want to continue with "old school process?"

Over to you. We do not want you to experience headache of people whose process requires regular mail and have to deal with 2-3 months wait time just for USCIS to cash receipts. 

I would not go old school, especially with (5) above. There is even a thread going on today of a guy who had to cancelled (I think he may have grown tired of waiting and thought his check was lost). Now he has to start again because he cancelled the check - time wasted. 

Edited February 4, 2021 by Timona

[bps367 1]

6 minutes ago, Timona said:

Just a FYI: 

1.  Online application is simple. 
2. Depending on the answers that you supply to the prompts, it will tell you what EXCATLY to submit as evidence. This eliminate you sending tons of evidences for no reason. You can still add them if you want.
3. Payment is cashed immediately you submit online.
4. You will get a receipt notice issued within 24 hours. You can download it immediately. It is the same receipt that will later make its way to you via post.
5. Now, with COVID, it is taking 2-3 months for USCIS to cash in checks and issue receipt. Compare this with 3 above. You still want to continue with "old school process?"

Over to you. We do not want you to experience headache of people whose process requires regular mail and have to deal with 2-3 months wait time just for USCIS to cash receipts. 

I would not go old school, especially with (5) above. There is even a thread going on today of a guy who had to cancelled (I think he may have grown tired of waiting and thought his check was lost). Now he has to start again because he cancelled the check - time wasted. 

Thanks Timona. You response is very much appreciated. 
 

I own a tech company that does federal tech contracts in the DC metro area. To put it mildly, I know little too much about the govt/military IT, especially the ones facing the public. 
 

That said, I am not an expert at N-400 online filing, but if folks like you have a closer and deeper understanding that it is a “much better idea” compared to old school paper filing then I defer to your good counsel. In fact, I just ran quite a few searches on keywords like “N-400 online or paper” and 9/10 folks on Reddit are also raving about online filing as a “much better idea.” This kind of real feedback from folks who have “been there & done that” is more than good enough for me. 

 

I rest my case. I will put my govt. IT qualms aside and we’ll be doing online filing this weekend.

[Timona 4,210]

I am glad I was able to convince you.

And at the end of it all, after you submit, you can print something called "a snapshot." It is basically a printout of what you filed..

 

Oooo and I filed N400 online last year. So, yes, I am giving you "real time feedback."

[Talako 790]

10 minutes ago, Timona said:

Oooo and I filed N400 online last year. So, yes, I am giving you "real time feedback."

 

But you're not a random Reddit user,  -1 point.

[bps367 1]

4 minutes ago, Talako said:

 

But you're not a random Reddit user,  -1 point.

$GME to the moon...brrrr

 

lol

[Scandi 4,299]

1 hour ago, bps367 said:

Well, we already have two different answers. One from Lucky Cat and other form NancyNguyen. Which expiration date is correct folks?

 

I am going the paper route with N-400 application. I don't trust USCIS technological prowess to file N-400 online. Old is gold in this case, IMHO.

Take it from someone who started filling out the N-400 paper form because "it's what I've always done and it works fine", and then moved over to the online form instead. Online is far superior in this situation, and soooo much easier to fill out. There are so many upsides with filing online, and so many downsides with filing via mail. 

 

I had so many questions after trying to fill out the paper form (kind of like the questions you're asking here now, and this particular question is a non-issue with the online form). After filling out the online form I had zero questions, it all made perfect sense and it explains what's needed and removes questions that don't apply to you. Very smooth and easy.

 

You also get your receipt number right away, no need to worry about if the application actually reached them or not. Right now it also takes 4-6 weeks just to get a receipt number and acceptance letter if you file via mail, that also means 4-6 weeks before you find out if your petition was accepted or rejected. When filing online all that is available to you within just 48 hours, and when you file online it's impossible to get the petition rejected, the form won't let you make mistakes grave enough to be rejected. 

 

Again, online is far superior for the N-400 application, not lying. 😆 My recommendation to you is to start the online application. You do not have to submit it, just start it, fill it out and you will see exactly what we're talking about. 

Edited February 4, 2021 by Scandi

[Sukie 1,500]

We did online - right at the beginning of when the N-400 went online.  We loved it.  SO much better than the paper stuff. 

 

You'll be fine online!

 

Sukie in NY

[ThaOne 101]

On 2/4/2021 at 11:54 AM, bps367 said:

Well, we already have two different answers. One from Lucky Cat and other form NancyNguyen. Which expiration date is correct folks?

 

I am going the paper route with N-400 application. I don't trust USCIS technological prowess to file N-400 online. Old is gold in this case, IMHO.

Filing a paper application will only delay your whole process. Plus electronically what you enter is as accurate as you are versus sending it by paper and have someone available (with covid can be months) to enter your info and not make any mistakes. Electronically you can get a receipt notification and your biometrics appointment scheduled in a week (that's what happened to me). Plus whether you trust the technological prowess of USCIS or not is irrelevant, because even if you file by mail everything as I stated ends up going in their system. The only difference is you are the one doing the data entry immediately versus someone doing it for you in 4 to 6 weeks if not more.