The Conqueror

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!

I think he meant reentry permit.  We are getting one for my step-son.  He has his 2 year GC but want to go back to school in the Philippines.  The reentry permit will allow he to stay out of the US until he has to be here for ROC.

Hi everyone, I have been following this thread for the last year and recently got my citizenship. I wanted to provide some information about my experience so it can be helpful for others.
 
I am a solo N400 filer from Seattle. I filed in mid September 2018, did my biometrics in October 2018 and had my interview scheduled in early December 2019 at the 7:15 AM slot. The interview was straightforward. I arrived around 7 AM, and was called in for the interview at around 7:40 AM. The interview was fun, extremely friendly and breezy. I was out by 8 AM. Most of the time was spent entering information about the trips that I took since September 2018, all of them were less then 10-15 days each. She appreciated that I filed out the following form with the updated trips, printed it out and gave it to her, which she then entered manually into her system.
 
http://www.lalawlibrary.org/pbw2017cl/Citizenship/N400 Addendum/Part 9 Time Outside US.pdf
 
After the interview, she asked me if I wanted to do the oath at 1:30 PM on the same day. I requested the interviewer if she could schedule my interview for the 8:45 AM oath ceremony on the same day. She said she will try (and tried to contact her colleagues over the phone) but I guess it was a bit late and so I was scheduled for 1:30 PM the same day. You need to return your green card at the start of the oath ceremony. The ceremony was done by 3 PM.
 
At the oath ceremony, you can register for voting (which everyone should do since it is our duty as a citizen). After that you will have to notify social security of the change in citizenship status after 10 days of taking the oath. You can also apply for a passport book (you can get a jumbo book with more pages for free, in case you will be traveling a lot) where you need to give your original naturalization certificate at a local processing center. You can find the list here:
 
https://www.seattle.gov/customer-service-centers/university-customer-service-center#applyforapassport
 
I applied for expedited processing and got my passport in 2 weeks. The original naturalization certificate was mailed back to me separately a few days after I received the passport.
 
That is all. Hope this is helpful information.

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.❤️

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.❤️

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🤗

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

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🤗

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

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.
 

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.
 

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!

Congrats!!!!

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

Congratulations!

Congrats! And thanks for asking about transferred cases!

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!!!!

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.
 

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.
 

Congrats!! 🎉

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.

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!!!

I think better this way otherwise will drive you nut 😀

Finally I received an email yesterday 11.07.2019 notifying me for my scheduled interview. Then I checked my document tab today and my interview is scheduled on  December 11, 2019.
 
Filed last October 2018 - Seattle Field Office