The Conqueror

On 1/20/2020 at 9:05 PM, Dantrolene said:

Thank you for your sincere advise.  I am also keen on getting it done and be over with the journey.  My interview is at 10:10 AM. So what are the chances of having my ceremony oath the same day ?  Is that a common practice in Seattle office ? Anyone recently got their oaths done the same day? I also heard if I got interviewed by a junior officer, I gotta wait for a senior officer to approve my application. So chances are very slim to get my oath done the same day, right ?

Hi, I just want to share my Citizenship Interview experience last year.

“I had a planned trip to Vancouver Canada dated December 13, then my interview was scheduled on December 11. It was nerve wracking of thinking about the unknown but I chose just to wait and see what happens after the interview. While I’m waiting for my interview that time, I read some options on what to expect or what to do after the interview. Anyway I passed my 9:45 am interview and had an Oath Taking the same day (1:30pm - done by 3pm). The next day on the 12th I went to the Regional passport agency in Seattle to apply for my passport which also I planned ahead I made an appoint a week before my interview. Since I’m traveling on 13th, I brought my hotel reservation which was booked long time before I even I knew about my interview.  The passport agency accept my application so as my hotel reservation copy and I got my passport the same day, I waited until 2:30pm.“

So even if you get same day Oath Taking, you cannot travel because you need your US passport.

Plan A - if you’re not scheduled same day Oath Taking just requests another date, then you can travel using your Greencard. Though some applicants that didn’t get the afternoon Oath Taking were scheduled the next day AM Oath Taking I’m not not sure what time.

NOTE: The risk of rescheduling your Oath Taking might be a long wait.

Plan B - Anticipating  that you get same day Oath Taking - 

Plan ahead get an the earliest Appointment at the Regional Passport Agency for the 25th and bring your ticket and let them know your travel plans and request for the same day processing. 

Well I hope this help a bit.

Good luck!

On 12/23/2019 at 11:02 PM, py6 said:

I'm planning to go to New Zealand next year mid April. This is really literally destroying my trip. I just don't think I will have enough time to get everything ready by the time the trip needs to happen. Very disappointing and very angry at USCIS

Hi PY6,

I understand you frustration.

I had a planned trip to Vancouver Canada dated December 13, then my interview was scheduled on December 11. It was nerve wracking of thinking about the unknown but I chose just to wait and see what happens after the interview. Being upset or angry to USCIS won’t change a thing, they care less about how we feel, the more they don’t even know how we feel about delays. It is just waste of energy. Just relax. It is what it is. Anyway while I’m waiting for my interview that time, I read some options on what to expect or what to do after the interview. Anyway I passed my 9:45 am interview and had an Oath Taking the same day. The next day on the 12th I went to the Regional passport agency in Seattle to apply for my passport which also I planned ahead I made an appoint a week before my interview. Since I’m traveling on 13th, I brought my hotel reservation which was booked long time before I even I knew about my interview.  The passport agency accept my application so as my hotel reservation copy and I got my passport the same day, I waited until 2:30pm.

It took a lot of researching, planning and anticipation of the “what if” scenarios. But I didn’t stress about it.

Anyway I just feel sorry for each individuals frustration.

Cheer up! Just enjoy the rest of the holiday.❤️

On 12/26/2019 at 12:06 PM, Jegg said:

Thank you for this post.
I’m planning to renew my passport. Do you know what is the timeframe on when will you be able to receive your renewed passport? Just wondering if there’s a difference if renewing it in the USA is faster than in Canada since I’m not a Canadian resident. 
Thank you

I wish I have that information, all I know the Canadian Post takes longer when they send some mail to US, so probably not to expect to receive the renewed passport in a timely manner.  What I’ve learned that the passports are being printed in the Philippines, sad to say that Philippine Consulate all over US doesn’t have a passport printer.

5 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Thanks for the write-up .. This will be helpful to those in the NW corner .

 

 

You’re welcome 😊!

Just to be on safe side no more than 5 months, if you elect to stay more than six months you need to apply for extension visa and pay.

Should have I known that there’s Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, B.C., I will never drive 18 hours to San Francisco, CA 2 years ago. I could save some time and money.

Last Friday 12-13-2019, I went to the Consulate to check the place and ask some questions.  Btw I didn’t drove there just to check the place but it just happen we went there to attend a Christmas party. I ask them why I need to make a separate appointment for 3 person, anyway I was told that they entertain “Walk-in” applicants.  I thought wow that was awesome 👏! Little I know that there’s a catch there 🧐. Here’s our experience:

Yesterday 12-17-2019, I drove to Vancouver to help my friend and her 2 daughters to renew their passports. Since I was told last Friday it’s okay to go there without an appointment. We left Everett, WA at 6am anticipating a 3 hrs drive. Luckily there was no traffic at the Canadian boarder. Once we reach the city around 8ish the traffic start to build up. We reach the destination at 9ish and went to the building parking at the basement. Since I never parked there before I just looked for the nearest building entrance. We went inside the building and found out that we were in Vancouver Convention Center. We walk around until we found the main entrance then went out to go to the next building “World Trade Centre” office complex.  The  Consulate is located at 6th floor, once your out of the elevator turn right and walk around until you find the door number 660.  We were 3rd in-line, I said this is great! NOTE: you should get your number on the left side for Passport renewal and it’s always nice to READ instructions right? When it’s our turn to go and the officer checked all the forms and requirements then ask to proceed to another window to pay. Overall that it took 30 mins for that process. The next step is to wait for your turn for the picture to be taken so the waiting had begun (from 10am to 12:30pm!?!?!) Yes we waited that long because they prioritize applicants first until they finished them! I know it just fair enough to give attention to the applicants with appointment but I should be warned about waiting until they finished! 
 

LESSON LEARNED: Just make an appointment! 🤗  and make sure you have all the requirements photocopied

Passport Renewal fee paid $87 Canadian (Cash only)

Prepaid Express envelope if bought to any Canada post $27ish or if you buy it there in the same building at the grocery store $33 Canadian.

FORMS available at this link: http://www.vancouverpcg.org/forms.html

Requirements online: 

for Adults: http://www.vancouverpcg.org/2018-renewal-adult-applicant.html

for Minors: http://www.vancouverpcg.org/q-a-ppt-q07-minor4ppt.html

I just thought of sharing this so you will not experience the same mistake we had.
 

cheers🤗

8 hours ago, washingtonian said:

Didn't even get scheduled yet.

I’m sorry to hear that, I wish the IO who interviewed me has answers for combo filers but she wasn’t aware about it. I didn’t push further asking about it.

I read that you can call our US Senator and ask for help.

I wish I’m knowledgeable about your situation but I am not a combo filer. I was granted 10 years unconditional Greencard because we were married for more than 2 years when I was interviewed.

You’ve been interviewed yet?

On 11/9/2018 at 10:59 AM, Lc cl said:

Mine says the same thing.  Filing time estimate changed to 12 mi the. What's more accurate. The online account estimate or the USCIS website?

You’ve been interviewed yet?

4 hours ago, Ortolan said:

Wow CONGRATULATIONS! My husband's interview is next week...crossing my fingers for the same quick approval...I hope, I hope, I hope! Best to you!

Thank you and good luck to your husband’s interview!😊

Congratulations!!!

Hi to All VJ'ers,

INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE:

Finally  my Immigration Visa Journey comes to an end!!! 15 months of waiting and I am American now!🥰 After It was the easieast 10 minutes interview but spend 35 minutes chitchatting hahaha.  I had a chance to ask questions to clarify issued about backlogged and transfers of interview venue.  I don't remember my IO name, at first she has the poker face - very serious and started the normal routine for interview.

Date of Interview: December 12, 2019

Time of Interview: 9:45am

Field office: Seattle office

Checked in: 9:20am

Time called: 10:00am

OATH TAKING: 1:30PM (same day)

78 applicants attended

28 different Nationalities

IO asked the following:

• Birthdate
• Phone Number
• Current Address

Then went directly on Reading Test, Writing Test and Civic Test.  It went so fast that I don't recall the Civic questions hahahaha, then proceeded with Yes and No questions.  I just don't remember details but I informed the IO that there were discrepancies from the TRAVELS history that I submitted online and also I have some travel updates.  And she asked "You been to Canada a lot?" and I answered yes because we are boating every summer.  That started breaking the ice and we started chatting.  I then took the liberty to ask questions about "A lot of people are wondering why Seattle Field office is so way far behind."  She replied with this:

1) Just for example if there are 20 Intervew Officers and there are 20,000 applicants and they can do so much a day.  It is self explanatory.

2) Another example if there's a bus and the capacity is only 50 then the people waiting to get a rid are 200.  Again its self explanatory.

I did not  ask further questions about the delay since she told me this examples and they are no brainer to understand.  So there's no reason to stress ourselves when "The Estimated Processing Time" takes months or years.  Again it won't change the fact that they don't have enough Manpower and if we RANT about it! IT WILL NOT CHANGE A THING HOW THE PROCESS VISA APPLICATIONS! 

Then I asked about "Why other applicants are being transferred from Seattle field office to Portland or possible to Yakima?".  She responded that "It doesn't matter where your address is, some applicants are being tranferred because the other field office wants to help Seattle.  So my thought is this ---- I'm not sure if anyone of who were tranferred made a differencen or shortened the WAIT Time.  

Here you go! I am not sure if this answers some confusions about Seattle Field office but I just thought to take the courage to ask the IO for you guys.   It may not be satifying answer but this is it!  I compared any visa applications to a "SLOW COOKER", when you cook and use a slow cooker "You set it and forget it right?" You don't rush it because you know it's a slow cooking process.  This is probably the best way to compare the DILEMA why the visa proccessing is way slower in Seattle.  

CHEERS to all!!! Good luck and remember PATIENCE IS VIRTUE.

BTW please take time to UPDATE YOUR TIMELINE so we can help other VJ'ers.

I am American now!!!! I passed my interview yesterday 12/11/2019 and had the same Oath Taking.  It was the easiest 10 minutes interview!!!!

I passed the interview yesterday and had the same day Oath Taking.  It was the east 10 minutes interview!

1 hour ago, skyflyer said:

Congratulations!!!!!!

Thank you!🇺🇸💕

23 hours ago, AnGeLxX said:

Congratulations you're almost there! My interview is tomorrow. From start to interview it took around 7 months. 

Hi! Is your interview today 12/11? Good luck!

I just had mine this morning in Seattle, WA and got same day Oath Taking at 1:30pm.

I had my interview this morning, my appointment was 9:45 am and I was called at 10am.  The interview was very short and very easy, probably 10 minutes and 35 minutes of chitchat 🤣.

I will have my Oath Taking later at 1:30pm.

Good luck to you all!!!

4 hours ago, trandy said:

I too just got my appointment notification after a 13 month wait! likely ahead of schedule.

 

Question! Seeing as it takes a few days to show up in the documents, and at the risk of sounding impatient, what is the sort of time frame I can expect between this notification and the interview date?

It showed up the next day in the document and I did not bother printing it. I received the one they sent by mail after 5 business days, it sound too long but it’s ok.

11 hours ago, kylat4n said:

 

Few minutes ago I just received scheduled for the interview, but still has not show up the date of interview, maybe take few days to show up.

I filed on 09 November 2018 from Renton, WA .

Finally after long long wait 🙏🏻

Congratulations!

Time to review🥰.

I used this tool for reviewing after reading and memorizing the pamphlet 

40 minutes ago, Blackpetrova said:

Hello everyone.I have been a follower for a while and I wanna thank all of you for the updates and wealth of information during this journey.Here is a timeline of my journey; 

Home: Renton

Filed :Online

Office: Seattle.

 

8/29/2018- USCIS Received application.

8/31/2018- Biometrics scheduled.

9/17/2018- Biometrics reviewed.

10/28/2019 - Interview Scheduled 

12/2/2019 - Passed interview ( Interviewed by a junior IO at 9:15 passed but was told she couldn’t approve because she was not a senior.Assured me that everything went well and they will mail me the oath date after her supervisor audits her work.My boyfriend who was interviewed the same day at 11:15 got same day oath since he was interviewed by a senior IO.)

 12/6/2019- Got a call from them asking if I could attend the oath ceremony on 12/9 at 9am.(Big yesss) They didn’t send out mail due to short notice so I picked it up during check in.

12/9/2019- Attended the oath ceremony.Done by about 10:45.

Thank you all and best wishes to all of you.

Congratulations!🍾 

Thank you for sharing your interview experience.

I’m next inline, I have mine on Wednesday 🙏 

You will find different reviewers on YouTube however stick only on one of them to avoid confusion because each reviews provide different correct answers for each question.

1 hour ago, Seattle_ite said:

Thanks. 

 

Yes, I applied for it yesterday in Seattle. 

Thank you for your reply.😊

I have the same interview time 9:45am next week however as you mentioned you’re done not until 3pm and the agency is already close that time. I made an appointment the next day after my interview just in case I’ll have an Oath Taking.

I tried looking here for an answer if they allow to process passport because I need to cross the boarder in Canada 2 days after my interview. So I’m just taking my chances if they allow me same day processing.

11 hours ago, Seattle_ite said:

The journey comes to an end. Walked in to USCIS yesterday at 9:00am for a 9:45am interview. Called in for an interview at 10:15am and then given the option to take the same day oath at 1:30pm. Walked out as a citizen at 3:00pm.

 

Timeline: Applied for N-400 early Sept. 2018 online. Total time from N-400 application submission to citizenship ~ 14 months.

Congratulations!
 

Did you apply for your US passport yet? If yes, where did you apply?

Thank you in advance.

On 11/22/2019 at 8:14 PM, kylat4n said:

 

My estimated wait time down to 18 days as today , but not 18 months. But my estimated completion time 2 months January 2020

I guess it doesn’t matter either the wait time or completion date is change because as of today November 27 this is my status as per the attached and my interview date is two weeks from now.