SabineGriffin

Do you currently have a 10 year GC? I filed for the N-400 after 3 years of marriage to a USC. But I did it because there was a delay with getting the 10 year GC. A few days after I submitted my N-400 application, I received my 10 year GC, LOL! 

What I'm trying to say is that your N-400 filing should not affect your GC. The only thing that I think will come up with the N-400 is if you have been out of the country for "too long". There is guidance on this on the USCIS website and how they count days for continuous residence on US soil.

What USCIS definitely wants to see is your joint IRS transcripts and documents that show you are together - rental lease, home ownership, mortgage and better yet, a baby, LOL! (but I am serious too).

Everything will be fine. Good Luck!

You can apply under 319(b) after leaving the US. Since you're already abroad, you might need to find a US military base to get the fingerprints onto FBI fingerprinting cards. It's old school with ink pads involved and requires practice to get done perfectly.

I was naturalized on Friday May 24, 2019! I applied as a 319(b) and flew back to San Francisco from London. The USCIS officers were so nice and allowed me to complete my exam + interview + oath taking in the same day! I even managed to apply for my US passport at the SF Passport Agency. All done in one day because they didn't want me to have to fly back again from London to SF. 

Hello Everyone,

I received my 10 year green card not long after I applied for the N-400 in July 2018. A few days ago, I received the happy online notification that my naturalization interview was scheduled for Mar 1. But yesterday, I suddenly received another online notification that my file was transferred to another field office for review (and the letter explaining why would be uploaded later). Has anyone had the experience of receiving the interview appointment (happy!) and then file has been transferred (confused! why?!)? What's happening?

Many thanks,

SabineGriffin

Hello Everyone,

I will be flying from England back to the USCIS San Francisco Field Office for my interview and exam - Yay! If approved, do you think the SF Field Office will allow the same day oath taking? Then I have to fly to England again. Has anyone had this same day oath taking experience at the SF Field Office?

Many thanks!

SabineGriffin

Hello Everyone,

A happy update - my interview is scheduled for March 1. I filed from the UK on July 3, 2018 (I'm a 319(b) - my husband works for the US Government) and I asked to be interviewed at the San Francisco Field Office (that's allowed for 319(b) applications). The online estimated date for processing was 11 months from July 2018 but it turned out that it was accelerated to 7 months. The SF Field Office must be very efficient - am grateful!

I have a question, even though I'm a 319(b) applicant and apparently if approved, I may be able to take the oath on the same day, is that true? Does anyone have experience as a 319(b)?

Thanks so much,

SabineGriffin

On 10/4/2018 at 3:36 AM, Dbkrantz said:

Still nothing on our side. It's going to be 4 months since the biometrics appointment and nothing - how frustrating!

@Dbkrantz, I don't have comforting news for you. I'm applying for naturalization from outside the US because my husband and I have a foreign government assignment to the UK, and the USCIS officer at the Embassy in London mentioned to me that NY has one of the longest processing times at the moment.

8 minutes ago, bocajunior007 said:

My case was transferred to the local office on February 26th, 2018. They have received my case for I-751 on May 25th 2017. I'm part of the California Office. 
When should my interview be? is it for sure that we will have an interview? Thank you guys!

 

Hi Bocajunior007,

My local USCIS office told me that about 50% of cases may have an interview. Also, I was processed by the California Service Center. I filed my I-751 on March 1, 2017. Out of the blue and to my joy and happiness, on July 23, 2018, I opened my mailbox and found my green card in it. I'm not sure exactly then about the process and timing. It seems quite different for all applicants.

Good Luck,

Congratulations visaqueries! Am so happy for you!

Yes, Selective Service Registration refers to the US military.

I agree with Zombie69 that if people are eligible, they should have a combo I-751 and N-400 application. 

Hi MrKrabbs,

If you're referring to the Infopass appointment printout, yes definitely please bring it along. Bring everything that you've stated above.

Hello Everyone,

I just discovered this thread for the I-751 and N-400 combo filing. Just wanted to let you all know that I was a March 2017 I-751 CSC filer. After waiting for 16 months (March 2017 - July 2018) without receiving any new information, I applied for my N-400 on July 3 and received a NOA on July 11. Then suddenly out of the blue, on July 17, my 10 year GC was approved and mailed on July 23. Phew! Am very thankful.

Hi Xilef,

Thanks!!! My situation is slightly different from fellow I-751 March 2017 filers. My husband works for the DOD and we received government orders for the UK. By accident and with much gratitude to USCIS London, I wrote to them to ask for guidance and USCIS London explained that they would be processing my N-400. Instead of biometrics, I will be fingerprinted on one of the military bases here in the UK. But I don't know how long it will take for the process to be successfully completed. I have to wait for USCIS London to provide instructions.

Hi Xilef,

I mailed in my N-400 application on July 3 and received a NOA on July 11.

Hello Everyone,

I filed on March 1, 2017 at CSC. Have been checking my case status ever since and nothing except for this seemingly cryptic "file has been assigned to your local office". Absolutely no further information. Freaked out. Made my N-400 application. Then suddenly, out of the blue, what a wonderful surprise, after 509 days, my permanent resident card was dropped into my home address mailbox on July 23, 2018! 

11 hours ago, edcokpareke said:

Hello SabineGriffin

 

We filed ours and paid online, so the money was debited from our credit card immediately. So unfortunately, I don't have a similar check payment issue as you. Also, even though our cases are both 319 cases, ours is a bit different in that my wife has never 'lived' in the US at all. We've visited a couple of times on a non-immigrant visa. We got married 1.5 years ago, filed i-130, then NVC, then just got an i-551 (immigrant visa, AKA green card). The very next week, we filed the N400 as there's literally no waiting requirement for our 319(b) case (I work for an American company overseas).

 

I'll continue to post updates. So far though, no movement on our case.

Hi edcokpareke,

Any chance that you're both in the UK too? I think I'm just so dependent on USCIS London now because from the get go, they provided all this guidance; I wouldn't have known about the 319e. They've been amazing. Yes, please continue to post updates and I will too.

SabineGriffin

On 7/9/2018 at 8:17 AM, edcokpareke said:

Hello everyone

 

I have a question about our unique N-400 filing situation. I say "unique" because I've been reading these boards, and I haven't yet come across any other couple who are filing under the same circumstances as us.

 

I just filed an N-400 online on July 2nd, on behalf of my wife, under INA 319(b) provisions which allows a citizen's spouse to apply for naturalization IMMEDIATELY after becoming a permanent resident. No conditions, no wait times, nothing. This provision is available for those married to citizens who work overseas for the US government, US companies, the US military, etc. I guess this provision is in place because it'd be impossible to meet all the conditional and residency requirements if your citizen spouse is posted overseas.

 

Any other July filers in this situation? If so, it'd be good to compare notes as the process unfolds.

 

Thanks

Hi edcokpareke,

Yes, I'm a July filer in the same situation. My husband and I received government orders for the UK in September. I made the 3 year mark after moving here. I just applied for my N-400 with guidance from USCIS London. I filed under INA 319(e) because USCIS London decided that our government orders were military orders (my husband is also in the military). I mailed my application to the Chicago Military Team on July 3. I'm a little worried that it's been 7 calendar days and USCIS hasn't cashed my $725 check.  Has your check been cashed? Yes, it'd be great to compare notes over time.

SabineGriffin

I'm looking for additional advice. When I filed for my I-751 in March 2017, my husband had not yet received his military orders for the UK so I couldn't include that in my application. In July 2017, I got the 1 year extension stamp in my passport. Then in August 2017, we were assigned to the UK. If I still haven't received my 10 year GC renewal by July 2018 (when the stamp expires), must I re-enter the US before July 2018? I've asked for the GC to be mailed to my sister's home address. Thanks so much!

Hello Everyone,

I'm a March 2017 filer and I just saw this when I went online to the USCIS case status:

"On March 5, 2018, we received your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, Receipt Number WACxxxxxxxxxx, at your local office."

My local office is CSC. How bad or good is this news?

Thanks so much.

Amhara, thanks so much for the advice! I will look into it to see what can be started here from the UK. Guess, I have it stuck in my mind that a lot less can be done with USCIS applications when not in the US. I may ask you for more advice? Thanks!

Hello Everyone,

I filed for my I-751 on March 1, 2017. In June 2017, my husband and I received government orders (like military orders) from the DoD to PCS to the UK. So I was unable to include the orders in my application  to USCIS in March. USCIS stamped my passport with a one year extension in July 2017 and we then traveled to the UK.

Given the timeline and statistics discussion here, do I continue to sit still in the UK to wait for the GC renewal (I gave USCIS my sister's mailing address in California for the GC)? Or can I do sometime in the meantime? For example, is it possible to apply for the N-400 as well? I started with the K-1 visa and I resided continuously in the US for 2.5 years until my husband and I received government orders. Or am I not eligible to apply for citizenship until after 3 years of permanent residency (I may have read this somewhere)? Needless to say, I am slightly confused and would just like to follow the rules.

Thanks so much!

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I have government orders and will be leaving the country. I found out from USCIS Honolulu (an InfoPass location) that I should get a stamp in my passport (and I'm carrying a copy of the I-751 receipt). But since I asked a few months ahead of leaving in September, USCIS advised me to get the stamp much closer to September because the one year validity of the stamp starts the moment it's stamped in my passport. This might be helpful information for anyone who needs to be out of the country for a longer period of time.

Sabine

Thanks so much for the information ruchit12!

California Service Center

Hi Fellow March 2017 Filers,

I mailed my package on Sat Feb 25, 2017 (my GC will expire May 26, 2017) with USPS tracking.

It arrived at CSC on Mar 1, 2017.

Cheque was cashed Mar 3, 2017.

I still haven't received my NOA1 and as of today, it'll have been 17 days. Does anyone know of a way to check online at USCIS?

Thanks so much!