FOSSLGRL

It's official, I am now a citizen and my "visa journey" is complete.

I will post a full review on my timeline. But I just wanted to mention the civics questions that I was asked in case anyone was curious:

1) What is an amendment?

2)  What happened on 9/11?

3) Who was the president during WWII?

4) Who is my state governor?

5) How long are representatives elected for?

6) Name two holidays?

Good luck to the rest of you who are still waiting! You got this!

On 7/21/2022 at 7:32 PM, Citerio said:

congratulations. Quick question,  Did you file electronically? 

Thanks! Yes I did.

Applied Nov 4th 2021

Received a notice yesterday with an interview date of Aug 18 2022 in Seattle.

Very nice surprise given the estimated timeline was originally about 12 months.

Congrats to everyone else who have had their interviews scheduled. Fingers crossed to those still waiting. 

46 minutes ago, Taity said:

Holy ###### shitttttt… I’m sorry for cursing but I got my interview date for January 6th. Applied on nov 24th.. estimate was 14th months. Changed to 13months within 4days. Today I have an interview date.

That is insanely fast! Congrats!

9 hours ago, Dorakiss said:

Where do your guys see timing pls ?? Also can they use ur ROC biometric for N-400 . Cuz i had my GC just 3month n i applied 

https://my.uscis.gov/

I filed online. Not sure how it works if you mail it. They used my prior biometric... you should get a notice if they do that.

On 11/24/2021 at 1:41 AM, Citerio said:

Update on case: Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS. Date of completion changed from 12 months to 10 months.

always such a good feeling to see that date reduced.... mine is now 13 months. C'mon Christmas 2022! 😄

16 hours ago, Lifewithjoy said:

I am preparing my application to send the end of this month for the 3 years(marriage) rule. Any advice? Thank you!

My advice is to upload as much evidence as you can. If you don't have copies of your recent three tax returns, you will want to get those together.

On 11/10/2021 at 10:44 PM, Citerio said:

Hi, we seem to both be married to divorcees therefore I read up on a place where it requires their former partners names and addresses. Did you send any? Thanks 

I think I recall including it on my initial K1 and/or i485 applications. The n400 asked for her name and I think that was it. They gave the option to upload proof of his divorce so I sent a copy of the decree.

39 minutes ago, franco_chisco18 said:

Based on my research, all cases are processed at the NBC office, but the estimated time is based on your local office. 
For example, I live in Tennessee and here there are 2 local offices Nashville and Memphis, my zip code is 25 minutes from the Nashville office.

After NBC receives and processes my application, my package will be transferred to the local office closest to my address.

That's when that office will schedule the final interview as they have availability.

For that reason the times are very variable for each person.

I don't pay much attention to these times because each case is different.

This is my third round with immigration, the first was my adjustment of status estimated processing time was 14 months and it only took exactly 10 months.

The second was to remove the conditions of my residence, estimated time 9.5 months, it took exactly 11 months, I just received my 10 year green card October 30,2021 just in time to start my citizenship processes,

and now I have started a new wonderful and stressful adventure, but as in all the previous processes, the secret is to have patience and faith. 
I believe that USCIS is doing the best they can to process our cases in the best way, let's not lose our minds and give them time to do their job.

When we least expect it, our cases will be over and we will continue to build a better country and world for our future generations.

 

 

 

Definitely! I love your outlook.

On 11/8/2021 at 11:38 AM, franco_chisco18 said:

Hey guys, 

I apply on November 2, 2021 based on 3 years of permanent resident and marriage to a US citizen. I decided to apply online and it was the easiest experience of my life. After making my payment my receipt number appears IOE estimated time 15 months, 30 minutes later my fingerprints were reused and estimated time changed to 11 months. The next morning my case changed to case is being actively reviewed by USCIS, estimated time changed to 7 months. On Saturday November 6 I received 2 letters in my mail, my receipt #  and fingerprints reused. 

 

Good luck to all  

You are lucky, mine changed from 15 to 13 after fingerprints, then to 18 months the following morning for what reason.... I don't know? 

Edit: Spoke too soon, back to 13 months after just checking now. Still, 7 months would be better! Perhaps it varies on location....

They did backdate my application to the 3rd lol. But that's still a day after I was eligible....... but goodness, glad I waited until today

On 9/16/2021 at 3:15 PM, Yusuf0104 said:

Oh wow, so sorry this happened to you.

 

Does anyone knows if you need to reside at local address for certain amount of time? I moved from PA to AL and remember reading somewhere minimum 3month local residency requirement. If that's the case, How do they count these 3months? Thanks.

My understanding is that you cannot leave the US for more than 6 months at all between the time you receive your green card and when you file for citizenship. I haven't seen it stated anywhere that you must be at your current residense for more than 3 months though (I could be wrong, someone please correct me if I am)

They ask about your past 5 years residency history on the application. I have lived in like 6 places since I got my green card so it was a big pain to fill out. Anytime I have to do this paperwork it is always a huge hassle because I move a lot. Glad this is the last time.......

On 9/15/2021 at 8:54 PM, TarKenkari said:

Watchout if you file online though, the online N400 filing checks the dates but it uses 3 months not 90 days in its calc, I ended up filing 3 days too early (thanks to months with 31 days). Went for my interview today and had to withdraw my application and start over (with a new filing fee)

Wow that is terrible! I would be very angry......

I used the calculator on their website so I am assuming that I am good, lol. I also waited a couple extra days just in case.

On 9/12/2021 at 10:53 AM, jane.doe said:

As I recall, on the form there's a question asking when your GC was issued. So that should prevent you from filing too early and getting rejected. I started working on the online form a few weeks prior to the early filing date and i got a few popups saying it was too early. When the time came, I decided to wait an extra day just to be safe, and even though I submitted my application a couple hours after midnight, it was still back dated a day. For instance, according to USCIS website, the earliest date I could file was 9/13, I filed at 2am on 9/14 local time. So my guess is they don't account for time zones.

Thanks for the info.

I applied this afternoon. My filing date was Nov 2nd according to the calculator so hope I am good!

Right here! Just submitted online this afternoon.

Here are the documents I submitted: green card, 3 years tax returns, bank statements from three joint accounts, car insurance document, current rental lease, husbands divorce decree from prior marriage, our sons birth certificate, my stepchildren's birth certificates, husband's passport, marriage certificate, and I think that is all.

Really tried to avoid an RFE.

Also, I got a notice already that states I will not be required to attend a biometrics appointment, so that is nice. Fingers crossed that speeds things up for me. It says that the estimated processing time is 15 month but according to the VJ timelines, it looks to be about 10 months. Obviously I have no control over it, but my goal is to be a citizen by end of 2022.

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-early-filing-calculator

 

Thank you so much! ✌️

I apologize as this has undoubtedly already been discussed, but I couldn't find any recent discussions. Nor could I find any information on the USCIS website.

Do they still let you file for citizenship N-400 90 days before the technical eligibility date?

My Greencard has an issue date of 1-31-2019. Way back when I started my immigration process I remember reading that you could file for citizenship 90 days prior to the 3 year mark (this is a family based green card/spousal).

Is that still the case? According to my calculations, if that is true I can file online on Nov 2nd. Though I would probably do it a few days later just in case it gets rejected.

USCIS spelled my name wrong on my initial i-485 application receipts. I actually did not bother to correct them, since it was a minor error. Eventually they corrected it on their own. I guess sometimes they do make data entry errors...

If it were me, I would have the roomate write a letter if he/she is able to. The more evidence, the better!

Good luck!

Still no update.

Made it through customs and on boat headed home.

Very relieved at having no issues. I will remain in the US until a decision is made.

I would have regretted it if I didn't make this trip.

I am wondering if the government shut down may be interfering with processing times.

On 12/27/2018 at 3:57 PM, Kerri1972 said:

 

I also had a terrible interview and received an RFE. I contacted a lawyer and she recommended to not leave the country until a decision is made.  So I cancelled my trip home as well. Good luck. I know how u feel 💓

Good luck to you. I have no idea what will happen to me but I am prepared for the worst.

FYI still no decision.

In Canada now but going home tomorrow.

Husband foiled a group who tried to break into our house today so we're glad he stayed home.

Going to move as soon as our lease is up.

If GC denied we will be moving to Canada.

I dont want to live in a country that doesn't want me and husband is fed up with his job and our sketchy neighborhood anyways...

On 12/21/2018 at 2:00 PM, USC4SPOUSE said:

I am 100% sure that USCIS will approve your case. There are ZERO red flags here. ZERO. You really need to take a deep breath. While you were interviewed at different times, that was not a STOKES interview. They just interviewed one at a time. That's it.

 

The only thing that I can think of is that MAYBE they are making sure that your husband is current on all his child support. Another thing that comes to mind is that most major field offices have hired and trained new officers. Most new officers have to have all their decisions vetted. The officer maybe did not want to share "Hey, I am a nobody. So I have to get this checked"

 

As someone who went through HELL through my own AOS process 22 years ago with minimal evidence BUT had a true marriage, I can tell you that you are fine. We had a Stokes interview for AOS, then a NOID, then another Stokes interview for the I-751 and ANOTHER NOID; the whole nine yards. 

 

There are so many steps they have to take to deny you, and each step provides you with ample opportunity to overload your case with even MORE evidence of bona fide marriage.

 

You did everything right. You came here on K-1, followed the rules and you're CANADIAN. Probably all those address changes are throwing them off. They have to justify their decisions. I would just be patient. 

 

Are you sure that you are not a US citizen already? Is it possible that you derived US citizenship from your parents when they naturalized?

 

If this goes on for too long, say 3 to 4 weeks, then I would reach out to your US Senator(s), and have them shake the tree. Do not be shy to reach out to them. They are very helpful.

 

All the best! Go see your folks and enjoy yourself! You have a true marriage. So really, just enjoy the holidays. You are fine.

 

USC4SPOUSE

Thanks.

Like I said in my previous post, however, there is no child support arrangement. She didn't want one. She has also told my husband that his money is no good to her because her new rich BF is way better than him. She has literally torn up cheques that we have mailed her.

Our plan has been to pay for the children to go to college when the time comes, if they need it.

As far as I know I am not a citizen already! I was an adult when my parents got their citizenship. They originally came down on my dads work visa.

Honestly though, after reading your post and also through further discussions with my husband... I have decided to make the trip after all.

He is going to stay home though because of our attempted burglary. Otherwise we won't have any peace of mind while we're away.

We will return to Canada together for a trip maybe in Jan or Feb just for a night or two.

Oh and one more thing, you mention they may have new employees at their office. The girl who interviewed us, was very sweet BTW but I could tell she was either new or inexperienced. So maybe that has something to do with it.

On 12/21/2018 at 9:06 AM, moosy said:

My husband and I are currently living in a rental house that he also lived in with his wife about 8 years ago now. They did not ask anything about this (but it is not like she was still there while I lived here or dated him, as that would be a no no for me personally, although in reality, I am sure that happens plenty with separated couples where the ex-partner does not have an immediate other place to live).

 

We also do not have children of our own, nor will we ever. We did not have a big wedding party nor will we ever have one. That last part was mentioned when they asked how the wedding was (it was just us two in a court where there were maybe 50 other couples at the same time).

None of those things even made the officer look at us like "huh?"

 

We are very untraditional when it comes to US traditions, and I explained that I had not yet switched all the bank accounts to joint, as in the culture I am from, it is encouraged to have both a joint account and separate accounts as well. The officer just said "that's just good sense", so he was fine with that as well.

 

When we explained our marriage proposal was actually a mutual decision he did not bat an eye.

 

When I simply explained that the first time we met it was because I was "quite nearby anyway" as a visiting scholar about a two hour flight away and I felt like I owed it to myself to check it out to make sure we actually had chemistry in person, the officer did not look weirdly at all, either. Our coming together was all quite rational and slow.

 

None of what you said sounds like a red flag.

 

(We got approved on the spot; it still took over two weeks for our greencard to arrive)

 

I am actually assuming that they were doing a bigger interview because they just sometimes do this at random. Quality control like any other business. Perhaps they were wondering why you did not go through your parents' route instead as you mentioned they are both US citizens. I don't know.

But I would not worry too much about this. You will know more in a week or so, as either the old or new website will change. In my case, the old one changed first, then the new website changed on a Saturday night (it sent an email) a week later.

 

It does suck that you will likely not have your christmas together thing (no way are they working next monday) if it does not come through today and you are still able to get your stamp in person. But on the other hand, you knew this would be a possibility with the interview so close.

I also did not make plans to see my parents or family or friends. It has been over two years now that I have seen them, and the first trip will be end of April.

You can do this.

 

 

Thank you. I guess it's just that he and his wife both moved out of the house years ago and then he and I went back to the same house later in life. I have to say the circumstances do sound sketchy especially that my husband had no income while we were there (his business partner made off with the profits and then stole from us).

The full story sounds too insane to be real lol but it's completely true. His (now ex) business partner hates me though since I caught him and I wouldn't be surprised if he is interfering with our case.

Neither me or my husband have ever lived life the "traditional" by the book way. He and his ex wife also do not have any formal arrangement for child support and custody which our interviewer seemed very confused by.

Our type just isn't court/government interference kind of people, we are weird, and also value our privacy and freedom tremendously.

I have a feeling the USCIS thinks my husband and his ex-wife are still together. The man she left him for refuses to marry her and I have no doubt her information is still registered at our old address, even though she refuses to step foot there and would never allow the children to visit that property when we were there.

I wish they conducted home visits because that would put an end to any suspicions they may have.