31 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Nothing wrong with wanting to come and visit grandchildren. Nothing wrong with wanting to come and meet a new grandchild, in fact that’s kind of obviously what a new grandparent would want to do, disagree that mention of pregnancy is immediate denial.

On potential red flags: it’s a “job”, whether she’s related or not, if you would hire someone else to do the looking after/care etc of the baby that she would do while she is there. That’s the key, whether or not her being here is taking paid work away from a resident.  Would you hire a mother’s helper or babysitter for what you expect her to do, if she were not around to do it?

 

 

Really good pints in helping us frame this. Thank you. Would it seem weird then if she wanted to stay for 3+ months to visit? Seems like a long time. 

2 minutes ago, NancyNguyen said:

It doesn't matter to US immigration though. As soon as she mentions your pregnancy, she wastes that $160. 

Thanks. That’s a really helpful flag. 

Just now, NancyNguyen said:

Only find out when she takes the interview. CBP will allow her duration, usually 3-6 months. By the way, it is not legal to come to take care baby, paid or unpaid. 

Yes it’s not a job. She’s spending time with us and helping out. Is that a “job” if we are related?

So I’ve been through the LPR and US citizenship process with my husband so I know how arduous this can all be and the amount of proof needed to get visas and such. 
 

That being said, I’m wondering if this raises red flags for anyone. We’d like my mother in law to come and stay with us for 3-4 months. We are about to have our first baby so we’d like her to help out and visit the US in general. She’s in her 60s, a widow and receives a pension. She owns property in her home country (Egypt), has a daughter and 5 grandchildren there so definitely a reason to go back. Does anyone think there’s be any issue with us applying for a B2 visa to visit? What’s the standard length of time of these visas? Reading online it says it’s up to the CBP officer which seems vague. 

23 hours ago, Khallaf said:

it doesn't come in hard envelope but if I remember correct it will either be in a bag like envelop or it will state on the outside do not bend.

Thank you so much!

Hello,

My husband applied for an expedited passport since he just got his certificate of naturalization. Does anyone know how they return the CoN? We have a small PO Box in an apartment building and we're worried the postal office will try to shove it in there and bend it. Does it come back in the hard envelopes? Any experience? Thanks.

Thanks for everyone's help. I really appreciate it! We'll look into this more and also steps with the Egyptian embassy here.

2 minutes ago, Khallaf said:

on my trips back and forth from Egypt I have seen others enter on Egyptian passport to not have to pay the visa fee the dreaded $25.00 we americans have to pay when we visit, and then he can leave using his US passport, I have been told others have no issues with this.

Thanks very much. Is this also what you do or you just pay the $25?

Also, did you have to get permission from the Egyptian embassy for dual citizenship? 

Hello,

My husband just became a US citizen last weekend. Finally! My question is:

He is now a dual Egyptian-American citizen, so what passport does he enter/leave Egypt with? His concern is entering Egypt on an Egyptian passport and then leaving with the US passport, thus not having a complete picture of his entry/exit situation in Egypt. Any thoughts? I checked the State Department's website, but I feel like it isn't clear enough (for me anyway) since I know my husband can be given trouble by the customs guys in Egypt. This below looks to be contradictory.

"Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport to travel to or from a country other than the United States is not inconsistent with U.S. law.  "

I called USCIS just now and they said they have no information. If the government closes down, they'll put the information on their website. The thing is--thats like 12 hours before the ceremony. This is ridiculous.

Hello,

My husband's naturalization oath ceremony is scheduled for this Friday, December 22, 2018. If the government shuts down, would they even still carry out the ceremony? Anyone have experience with this?

13 hours ago, stech786 said:

 

What is the estimated months listed in your USCIS account. I have 4 months.

 

Does anyone know if I would also be the part of Dec 22 group taking Oath? 

Mine says 3 months remaining.

Interview 10/31/18; Oath Ceremony: 12/22/18. So glad this is almost over.

6 hours ago, stech786 said:

I’m also waiting for Oath. Sounds like I should have mine on Same day?

When was your N400 approved, & how long before your oat scheduled?

 

Big congrats!!

We submitted N400 in late March 2018. Had interview Oct 31st and got oath ceremony notice online yesterday.

Alright! Dec 22nd in Fairfax. Hope you all hear some good news soon!

4 minutes ago, coconut0223 said:

Congratulations! I guess you do not change your name, right? I requested the name change, thus I am still waiting for an oath ceremony for 2 months.

Nope! No name change. Hope you hear good news soon!

Status changed online. Oath ceremony has been scheduled but still waiting for the letter to be mailed/uploaded to USCIS so I can see when. Almost over!!

On 11/4/2018 at 4:48 PM, Alphabravo said:

Congrats....... i can see you guys are Virginia DC filer. Please can you keep me in the loop if you have heard about OATH ceremony??. I am waiting for it more than a 2 weeks. I will appreciate 

 

Thanks..

Not yet scheduled but will do.

16 hours ago, Bambi_DC said:

Join the club. I was put in line for Oath Ceremony since Sep 21, and I am still waiting for the date. it is very frustrating.

 

One of the officers told me that for those like me (live in proper DC) have to wait until there is 75 people for oath to be scheduled. He couldn't say when that will be. I am surprised it is so hard to hit the number, I thought the issue is too many people.

 

I hope my oath will happen in Nov 13.

 

Ah had no idea there was a quota. That does seem surprising since when we were in the waiting room, there had to be at least 10 people that went up to be interviewed (and we were there an hour and half). 

11 minutes ago, emcia_81 said:

 That's not bad at all. How was the interview? I am about to apply for my N400 tomorrow.

Not bad! Just study the 100 questions book for the civics and be prepared to bring EVERYTHING that you send along with your N400 application, because they probably will ask for it even if you sent it or uploaded it online. Taxes, bank statements, birth certificates, etc. Good luck!

8 minutes ago, emcia_81 said:

How long did your N400 process take?

We applied around March 28th and had the interview yesterday (Washington Field Office). I know I need to update my timeline!

Gah, can't stop thinking about the oath ceremony! Does anyone know how often the Washington Field Office has the ceremonies? 

Had the interview today. It took about 20 mins total. Now just waiting on the oath ceremony notice!

Husband had interview today. It's finally over! We are just waiting for the oath ceremony to be scheduled. Big thanks to VisaJourney for all the help over the years!

1 hour ago, Lu & Soso said:

What a day! Yesterday was my N-400 interview. Things didn't start good, and it was my fault. I arrived 20 minutes after my scheduled appointment. When my IO called me, which is apparent that she had tried before, she was not happy at all. I decided, at that time not to request to be joined by my wife and newborn because I did want to subject them to any tension. While walking to her office, she asked why I was late and firstly, I apologized and explained . She is one of the most consummate professionals I have encountered. She didn't waste no time, advised me of every step she was about to take. We went through the civic test, and here are the questions she asked; What is the national anthem called?, What took place on September, 11, 2001?, What ocean is on the west coast of USA?, Which war did Dwight Eisenhower fight on?, Who does a US Senator represent? We went through sentence reading and writing. She went through everything that I filled in my N-400 application; and verified, I mean, name, birth date, address, work, international visits to those YES or NO questions. When she finished, she asked for additional updated information since my last interview, which was in July, for I-751. I submitted my current (2017) taxes, recent auto insurance, life policy I took last year which we never requested in my last interview. She asked for updated bank statements, and unfortunately I didn't bring. My other mistake was to bring the original taxes without making copies. She advised me that she couldn't make a decision about my case until she receives copies of my taxes, bank statements, and I was given a month to mail or a possibility of my case being dismissed. I requested to submit them within an hour and she liked the idea. That's the first time I sensed her warm nature, because we went through the interview so fast after my late arrival and she was just all professional.  She told me to submit those documents with the receptionist. We left and I asked the security guard for the nearest printing business, and  was directed to UPS which was not far. I made copies and accessed my banks online and made copies of current statements. My online case status was already showing that RFE (needed more information). 

We need more information from you

View your letter on your documents tab for more information. You must respond with your document(s) on or before the date in your letter or your application may be denied.

I submitted those documents and was given a receipt by the receptionist. When I got home, my USCIS App notified me that:

Oath Ceremony Will Be Scheduled

We placed you in line for your oath ceremony and will send you a notice for Receipt Number IOEXXXXXXXXXX, with the date, time, and location of your oath ceremony. You should receive your notice within 30 days of its mailing date. 

 

  What a surprise and joy because I was beating myself for everything that led to a delay in deciding my case. My story is a combination of PATIENCE, WHAT NOT TO DO, DETERMINATION TO MAKE UP FOR MISTAKES and RESILIENCE UNDER THE STORM. I want to take this opportunity to thank those contributing members of this community, because you have given me so much SUPPORT, HOPE and KNOWLEDGE, though your own stories and advice. I also want to extend APPRECIATION and THANKS for those professional IOs who have made this journey worth every step, especially in our anguish because of protracted delays in adjudication. It has been a long road, 2 years and 2 months, for I-751 and 7 months for N-400. I hope my story will help those facing similar challenges to keep your head because there is hope and this road will come to an end. This is my current online status:

We approved your application

Your final step to becoming a citizen is to attend your naturalization ceremony

We will mail you a letter when we schedule your naturalization ceremony.

 

This journey is finally over!

Congrats! You must be relieved.

Thanks for providing a thorough summary here. I did NOT know that bank statements and life insurance information was required. Im not even exactly sure what to bring. Guess Ill figure it out!