N400 February 2025 General Provision

[ODATT 119]

15 minutes ago, Magi Stark said:

Got the interview update and notice today! Full timeline with details: 
 

2/10/25 - Online application submitted. NOA + Biometrics Reuse (e-docs).

2/14/25 - API update indicating background check was completed. (FTA0) 

4/11/25 - API update, no new code. Progress tab 3 months. Milestone/Overall Days reset to 74/104. Time until case decision/next milestone 3/2 months. 

5/10/25 - API update, no new code. Progress tab 4 months. Milestone/Overall Days reset to 67/104. Time until case decision/next milestone 4/3 months. 

5/11/25 - Progress tab 3 months. Milestone/Overall Days reset to 43/80. Time until case decision/next milestone 3/2 months. 

5/28/25 - Interview Scheduled for 7/7/25. API code FJ. Progress tab 4 months. Milestone/Overall Days reset to 99/99. Time until case decision/next milestone 4/4 months. 

 

That time until case decision is definitely not real. I mean it’s real in a very average sense. But most people like me end up with path ceremony quickly. I had my oath 2 days after the interview. Most people get their oath done same day at SF office if their case is simple and they have their interview early in the morning  

[Magi Stark 53]

3 minutes ago, ODATT said:

That time until case decision is definitely not real. I mean it’s real in a very average sense. But most people like me end up with path ceremony quickly. I had my oath 2 days after the interview. Most people get their oath done same day at SF office if their case is simple and they have their interview early in the morning  

Oh, I know. I mostly put it all there for future reference so people see how unreliable these estimates are and don't pay too much attention to them. I hadn't kept track of the "Progress" tab before the 4/11 update, but it went like 7, 4, 6 months, I think. Then it changed to 3, 4, 3, 4 after the 4/11 update.  I wish they would just get rid of it, lol. 

[P055UM 316]

8 hours ago, Magi Stark said:

Milestone/Overall Days

What is this? I’m not familiar.

 

I had an API update a couple of days ago but no new code/movement. MyProgress also changed from 2 months to 4 months. lol. 

[Frankjavir 69]

On 2/20/2025 at 12:23 AM, Magi Stark said:

So apparently in addition to the hard updates which usually trigger an email/text alert, there are also soft updates as a case progresses through different stages, which don't do anything. They'll have the most recent update on the case and a code to indicate where the case is at.  For this trick to work you MUST BE logged into your USCIS account, and I think it only works with cases that start with IOE and some other types of applications.  

 

1. Log in to your USCIS account. 

2. In a separate tab, copy/paste the following URL: https://my.uscis.gov/account/case-service/api/cases/yourIOEcase#here

3. Use control + f to look for "updatedat".  The topmost "updatedat" will contain the most recent update date, either soft or hard. 

4. Use control + f to look for "eventcode". The topmost "eventcode" will contain the most recent "stage". 

5. Link to code descriptions.

 

In my case, my code is FTA0: "database checks received," which apparently means my background check was completed and returned. 

After following your instructions I deducted that FTA0 cannot be a a background check received, its time stamp coincides in 4 different entries with the acceptance of my application. and the "updatedat" is generated when you upload an updated form, I had to update a form because of its version date and the date coincides with the event in question. I believe FTA0 is an aknowledgement of the system that you are at least an LPR with basic requirements met to continue the citizenship application process. I do not see the hard or soft update concept in my case.

[Frankjavir 69]

17 minutes ago, Frankjavir said:

After following your instructions I deducted that FTA0 cannot be a a background check received, its time stamp coincides in 4 different entries with the acceptance of my application. and the "updatedat" is generated when you upload an updated form, I had to update a form because of its version date and the date coincides with the event in question. I believe FTA0 is an aknowledgement of the system that you are at least an LPR with basic requirements met to continue the citizenship application process. I do not see the hard or soft update concept in my case.

"data": {

    "receiptNumber": "IOExxxxxxxxxx",

    "submissionDate": "2025-01-18",

    "submissionTimestamp": "2025-01-18T00:00:00.000Z",

    "formType": "N-400",

    "formName": "Application for Naturalization",

    "updatedAt": "2025-03-14",   UPLOADED AN UPDATED FORM WITH NEW VERSION

    "updatedAtTimestamp": "2025-03-14T01:36:16.278Z",

    "cmsFailure": false,

    "closed": false,

    "ackedByAdjudicatorAndCms": true,

    "applicantName": "Last name, First name",

    "noticeMailingPrefIndicator": false,

    "docMailingPrefIndicator": false,

    "elisBeneficiaryAddendum": {

 

    },

    "areAllGroupStatusesComplete": false,

    "areAllGroupMembersAuthorizedForTravel": true,

    "isPremiumProcessed": false,

    "actionRequired": false,

    "elisChannelType": "EFile",

    "concurrentCases": [],

    "documents": [],

    "evidenceRequests": [],

    "notices": [],

    "events": [

      {

        "receiptNumber": "IOExxxxxxxxxxxxx",

        "eventId": "399f8ddd-8862-4967-a809-721e6138386c",

        "eventCode": "FTA0",

        "createdAt": "2025-01-18",

        "createdAtTimestamp": "2025-01-18T01:05:16.831Z",

        "updatedAt": "2025-01-18",

        "updatedAtTimestamp": "2025-01-18T01:05:16.831Z",

        "eventDateTime": "2025-01-18",

        "eventTimestamp": "2025-01-18T01:05:16.617Z"

      },

      {

        "receiptNumber": "IOExxxxxxxxxxxxxx",

        "eventId": "b0b399db-ce47-4c05-a6a6-7fef3ae4d108",

        "eventCode": "FTA0",

        "createdAt": "2025-01-18",

        "createdAtTimestamp": "2025-01-18T01:05:16.816Z",

        "updatedAt": "2025-01-18",

        "updatedAtTimestamp": "2025-01-18T01:05:16.816Z",

        "eventDateTime": "2025-01-18",

        "eventTimestamp": "2025-01-18T01:05:16.621Z"

      },

      {

        "receiptNumber": "IOExxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",

        "eventId": "e8bf03b9-902d-4730-a9c2-f4afca89518f",

        "eventCode": "FTA0",

        "createdAt": "2025-01-18",

        "createdAtTimestamp": "2025-01-18T01:05:16.679Z",

        "updatedAt": "2025-01-18",

        "updatedAtTimestamp": "2025-01-18T01:05:16.679Z",

[P055UM 316]

I got an update just after midnight one of the days this week on the API. Incidentally this was my three year LPR anniversary. Hard to think it doesn’t mean anything but I also haven’t had any ‘real’ movement since 🤷‍♂️ 

Edited May 31 by P055UM

[Magi Stark 53]

4 hours ago, Frankjavir said:

After following your instructions I deducted that FTA0 cannot be a a background check received, its time stamp coincides in 4 different entries with the acceptance of my application. and the "updatedat" is generated when you upload an updated form, I had to update a form because of its version date and the date coincides with the event in question. I believe FTA0 is an aknowledgement of the system that you are at least an LPR with basic requirements met to continue the citizenship application process. I do not see the hard or soft update concept in my case.

That's because not every update, either from you or USCIS, has an event code associated with it. So when an update with no event code happens, it gets logged under the current/last event code.  My JSON currently has 3 FTA0's, one for each API update that happened between my IAF (initial acceptance) and FJ (interview scheduled) event codes.  There is a document with all the event codes for all the different types of applications that USCIS processes. FTA0 is "Database checks received".  Based on what applicants have seen, it seems to coincide with when their cases get sent to the next stage, which doesn't usually happen until the background check has been completed and sent back to USCIS. No one knows for sure, but it seems to match that event code description. 

[Magi Stark 53]

1 hour ago, P055UM said:

I got an update just after midnight one of the days this week on the API. Incidentally this was my three year LPR anniversary. Hard to think it doesn’t mean anything but I also haven’t had any ‘real’ movement since 🤷‍♂️ 

I also got an API update on my 5 year anniversary, and then the interview was scheduled like 2.5 weeks later.  I wonder if it's an automatic thing that pushes cases on the anniversary date so an officer takes a look at them. 

[OldUser 9,552]

12 minutes ago, Magi Stark said:

I also got an API update on my 5 year anniversary, and then the interview was scheduled like 2.5 weeks later.  I wonder if it's an automatic thing that pushes cases on the anniversary date so an officer takes a look at them. 

I wouldn't be surprised. Rarely anybody gets interview in the 90 day early filing window.

[P055UM 316]

5 hours ago, Magi Stark said:

I wonder if it's an automatic thing that pushes cases on the anniversary date so an officer takes a look at them.

I hope so! 🤞 

[An Alien 18]

On 5/31/2025 at 9:37 AM, Frankjavir said:

After following your instructions I deducted that FTA0 cannot be a a background check received, its time stamp coincides in 4 different entries with the acceptance of my application. and the "updatedat" is generated when you upload an updated form, I had to update a form because of its version date and the date coincides with the event in question. I believe FTA0 is an aknowledgement of the system that you are at least an LPR with basic requirements met to continue the citizenship application process. I do not see the hard or soft update concept in my case.

I agree with you. I got the interview scheduled, and it is still displaying FTA0 since day 1.

 

Timeline:

Feb 13 – submitted case online,

Feb 13 – received NOA1 with case #,

Feb 13 – received biometric reuse letter.

May 27 - Interview Scheduled for 15 July 2025 (PDF copy in USCIS account)

[Frankjavir 69]

20 hours ago, An Alien said:

I agree with you. I got the interview scheduled, and it is still displaying FTA0 since day 1.

 

Timeline:

Feb 13 – submitted case online,

Feb 13 – received NOA1 with case #,

Feb 13 – received biometric reuse letter.

May 27 - Interview Scheduled for 15 July 2025 (PDF copy in USCIS account)

Did you get an update with a FJ code?

[An Alien 18]

14 hours ago, Frankjavir said:

Did you get an update with a FJ code?

What do not know what is that.

 

The other link has gone offline. (https://my.uscis.gov/secure-messaging/api/case-service/receipt_info/IOE1234567890) this one is gone offline after interview scheduled. 

[ksh9256 22]

My wife got her interview date finally. Detroit office. We filed under the 3 year marriage so I was worried it would take longer vs the residency.

[Frankjavir 69]

7 hours ago, An Alien said:

What do not know what is that.

 

The other link has gone offline. (https://my.uscis.gov/secure-messaging/api/case-service/receipt_info/IOE1234567890) this one is gone offline after interview scheduled. 

FJ is an event code meaning your interview has been scheduled. Login and query your case with https://my.uscis.gov/account/case-service/api/cases/IOEnnnnnnnnnn.

I queried my case with your CLI and obtained my receipt number and CIS office:

{
  "data": {
    "receipt_details": {
      "form": "N-400",
      "location": "OKL",    [THIS IS OAKLAND PARK FL]
      "milnatz": 0,
      "onpt": 0,
      "premproc": 0,
      "receipt_date": "Sat, 18 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT",
      "receipt_number": "IOEnnnnnnnnnn",
      "subtype": "160A"

 

Any one can throw some light on the meaning  of the other lines, like subtype 160A, etc?

Edited June 3 by Frankjavir