Can I still file 90 days early?

[FOSSLGRL 63]

I apologize as this has undoubtedly already been discussed, but I couldn't find any recent discussions. Nor could I find any information on the USCIS website.

 

Do they still let you file for citizenship N-400 90 days before the technical eligibility date?

 

My Greencard has an issue date of 1-31-2019. Way back when I started my immigration process I remember reading that you could file for citizenship 90 days prior to the 3 year mark (this is a family based green card/spousal).

 

Is that still the case? According to my calculations, if that is true I can file online on Nov 2nd. Though I would probably do it a few days later just in case it gets rejected.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 39,220]

1 minute ago, FOSSLGRL said:

Do they still let you file for citizenship N-400 90 days before the technical eligibility date?

Yes.

[Crazy Cat 39,220]

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-early-filing-calculator

 

[FOSSLGRL 63]

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-early-filing-calculator

 

Thank you so much! ✌️

[nastra30 1,981]

14 hours ago, FOSSLGRL said:

 

Is that still the case? According to my calculations, if that is true I can file online on Nov 2nd. Though I would probably do it a few days later just in case it gets rejected.

Yes, it's still the case. And online filing definitely the way to go. All the best. 

[jane.doe 14]

As I recall, on the form there's a question asking when your GC was issued. So that should prevent you from filing too early and getting rejected. I started working on the online form a few weeks prior to the early filing date and i got a few popups saying it was too early. When the time came, I decided to wait an extra day just to be safe, and even though I submitted my application a couple hours after midnight, it was still back dated a day. For instance, according to USCIS website, the earliest date I could file was 9/13, I filed at 2am on 9/14 local time. So my guess is they don't account for time zones.

[TarKenkari 22]

Watchout if you file online though, the online N400 filing checks the dates but it uses 3 months not 90 days in its calc, I ended up filing 3 days too early (thanks to months with 31 days). Went for my interview today and had to withdraw my application and start over (with a new filing fee)

[jane.doe 14]

16 hours ago, TarKenkari said:

Watchout if you file online though, the online N400 filing checks the dates but it uses 3 months not 90 days in its calc, I ended up filing 3 days too early (thanks to months with 31 days). Went for my interview today and had to withdraw my application and start over (with a new filing fee)

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that.

Do you have any clue how that could happen? I might have done the same thing -- filed too early, because I checked my eligibility with their website.. Did you use a date calculator on the N-400 USCIS website?

[jane.doe 14]

just following up on my comment above, I ran the number and did some math, including a sanity check with some other website that counts days.

I also double check the day count with the example they provided on the N-400 early filing webpage (July 4th), it checks out. My early filing date checks out.

Anyway, its official federal government guidelines the public should and does rely on. They can't have it set up incorrectly and then use that as an excuse to deny.

[Yusuf0104 11]

Oh wow, so sorry this happened to you.

 

Does anyone knows if you need to reside at local address for certain amount of time? I moved from PA to AL and remember reading somewhere minimum 3month local residency requirement. If that's the case, How do they count these 3months? Thanks.

[mwert 6]

On 9/15/2021 at 11:54 PM, TarKenkari said:

Watchout if you file online though, the online N400 filing checks the dates but it uses 3 months not 90 days in its calc, I ended up filing 3 days too early (thanks to months with 31 days). Went for my interview today and had to withdraw my application and start over (with a new filing fee)

 

awful! did they still let you do the interview on the new application, or do you need to wait another many months until the new interview?

[FOSSLGRL 63]

On 9/12/2021 at 10:53 AM, jane.doe said:

As I recall, on the form there's a question asking when your GC was issued. So that should prevent you from filing too early and getting rejected. I started working on the online form a few weeks prior to the early filing date and i got a few popups saying it was too early. When the time came, I decided to wait an extra day just to be safe, and even though I submitted my application a couple hours after midnight, it was still back dated a day. For instance, according to USCIS website, the earliest date I could file was 9/13, I filed at 2am on 9/14 local time. So my guess is they don't account for time zones.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I applied this afternoon. My filing date was Nov 2nd according to the calculator so hope I am good!

[FOSSLGRL 63]

On 9/15/2021 at 8:54 PM, TarKenkari said:

Watchout if you file online though, the online N400 filing checks the dates but it uses 3 months not 90 days in its calc, I ended up filing 3 days too early (thanks to months with 31 days). Went for my interview today and had to withdraw my application and start over (with a new filing fee)

 

Wow that is terrible! I would be very angry......

 

I used the calculator on their website so I am assuming that I am good, lol. I also waited a couple extra days just in case.

[FOSSLGRL 63]

On 9/16/2021 at 3:15 PM, Yusuf0104 said:

Oh wow, so sorry this happened to you.

 

Does anyone knows if you need to reside at local address for certain amount of time? I moved from PA to AL and remember reading somewhere minimum 3month local residency requirement. If that's the case, How do they count these 3months? Thanks.

 

My understanding is that you cannot leave the US for more than 6 months at all between the time you receive your green card and when you file for citizenship. I haven't seen it stated anywhere that you must be at your current residense for more than 3 months though (I could be wrong, someone please correct me if I am)

 

They ask about your past 5 years residency history on the application. I have lived in like 6 places since I got my green card so it was a big pain to fill out. Anytime I have to do this paperwork it is always a huge hassle because I move a lot. Glad this is the last time.......

[FOSSLGRL 63]

They did backdate my application to the 3rd lol. But that's still a day after I was eligible....... but goodness, glad I waited until today