Trying21

6 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

But it was obviously meant that way.   You asked if a congressman who personally knows you could write a character letter in favor of your naturalization.  That is in no way similar to the scenario of normal constituent asking for help with a federal agency.  

 I said that’s not what I meant but alright! You know what I meant more than I did I guess  

7 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

I didn’t think you meant it that way- but how I interpreted it was he was going to do you a favor because you know each other to get you in the front of the line verses he would write a generic letter because you are a constituent and beyond normal processing times . 

Ah yes I understand how it could read that way. Sorry for that, text can be hard to express what you’re trying to convey sometimes. 

11 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

In this situation it almost sounds like an abuse of power. 

Not really sure how that can be, you can reach out to any congressman, I just was asking if it was worth reaching out to them as a former coworker instead of once it is inevitably delayed, but like everyone said it doesn’t do anything until you’re delayed so obviously no point. 

16 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

No.  It isn't a 1950s job interview at a company where nepotism exists.   Why should someone have an unfair advantage over N400 applicants who didn't happen to work for a congressman?  

He didn’t work for him. They were coworkers a few years ago. Just asking  thanks though!

4 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

It would not..........why should it put your case  in front of others?

I was just asking

11 minutes ago, carmel34 said:

If you are in Utah, per your timeline, the Salt Lake City USCIS local office is only taking 11 to 15.5 months to process N-400s right now (according to USCIS), that's way less than many other cities across the US, so count yourself lucky!  For example, Atlanta is 12 to 20 months, and Sacramento is 16.5 to 19.5 months.  Good luck with the naturalization process of your immigration journey!  Last step, you're almost done!

Thank you! Good points all round! It feels never ending, ha!

1 hour ago, Nasirlahore said:

It will not be fair to people in front of line.And best thing about America is,Nepotism  generally  hated there.

1 hour ago, Deagle said:

No. 

1 hour ago, mushroomspore said:

It won't do anything. If it did work, everyone would already know about it and would be doing it and posting about it. And a good character letter is not part of the official citizenship application, so it's moot.

All good! Was just asking. Thanks everyone for your input

2 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

If this sped up processing times, everyone would be doing it. Congressional reps have no sway over processing times or the final decisions. All they can do is nudge USCIS to take a look at your case if it's taking too long.

Good point. I guess I was wondering if he writes a good character letter would it help. I assume not?

This is a random question, but my husband used to work with a current congressman who I'm sure would be happy to write a letter of recommendation for timely approval of my N400. Should we approach him and ask if he will send one so we can submit it with our application, or not worry until we are beyond normal processing times? The timelines seem so random lately so I was hoping that might help us get some streamlined processing. Wishful thinking? 

Hi all, filed October 5, LIN filer. Just got notice that new card is being produced! I was a bit dejected after seeing so many fast approvals at most others than LIN, but was surprised today to see our card is being produced notice! One issue... we are in Australia visiting my family until July 5 (I have my extension letter and old Gc with me). Am I good to re enter on those? Or do I need to get the new card couriered to me? 

49 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Are you sure you only want to give yourself two weeks grace for not breaking continuous residence at this late stage in your process? Especially after you’ve seen this past year how Australia has little hesitation in shutting down airspace? Even without that, things happen. Weather, Iceland volcanoes, whatever, stuff happens that cancels flights and doesn’t always allow for a quick rebooking. If I were you I’d plan on a slightly shorter holiday. The continuous residence requirement is in place right up until the day you take your oath.

 

 

You’re right! We talked about it and we’re going to go for four months and we won’t leave until I get confirmation of biometric reuse/appointment. Thanks for the reality check! 4 months will still be great and I can be grateful for that, plus, we can go for 2 or 3 months later if my n400 is still pending. Then it’s one or 2 short trips and there’s no risk to my continuous residence. 
 

20 hours ago, Mike E said:

What does "far more" mean? Perhaps give us precision down to a whole percentage point versus 10 percentage points of precision.

 

A continuous absence of 181 days or more breaks your residency and generally makes you ineligible to naturalize. Your November to April plan is dangerous. 

 

Despite what you might have read on official USCIS web sites, it is not 6 months. See https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-3 :

 

 

 

Good points here. We talked about it and we’ll go for for months post biometric reuse or appointment. that way if my n400 does take 18 months, we can pop back and forth for shorter trips after the long one. Thanks for the realistic info!

Question for anyone that might know:

I understand you can’t be gone for more than 6 months at a time as a green card holder (we will be filing for N400 in early October). We are planning on going home for 5.5 months right after I file. We travel a lot though, and will have been out of the US for say, 6 weeks of the year of 2021 before we leave for our long holiday to aus while my citizenship is pending. 

I will have been in the us for far more than 50% of the prior 3 years, but my question is, do I have to have been in the US for more than 6 months and 1 day of the year in which my n400 is pending? I am a US resident/aussie citizen and my  husband is a dual aus US citizen and we plan to live between the two countries (7 months USA 5 months AUS as an example). I am BEYOND ready to be home for an extended trip. We are going for 5 weeks in July, and then would be home from say, November 2021 to April 2022. I understand we will need to be ready to book my flight to aus very quickly for my citizenship interview and oath.

Does anyone have experience with this? I would be working as a 1099 for my US employer, husband would be remote for his US company, and our primary residence would remain in the US, basically just a long holiday.

Thanks for your advice! I wouldn’t want to get all this way and it up at the last step 😂

Has anyone had any updates past biometrics for LIN? Mine hasn't changed since early december. 

Hi everyone, we can apply for my N-400 in late September/Early October, our I-751 has been pending since October. We will file at our local office in SLC, UT. Has anyone seen the timelines shifting for N-400 at all? I am BEYOND homesick and really need to go home to Australia for a year or so once we get my dual citizenship. I am seeing 13-18 months from filing on the current tracker. 

Obviously this is SUCH a first world problem, but it would be so great to see everyone's experiences of late with their citizenship timelines, so I can have a 'home time' date to look forward to. 

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

Our attorney told us that in the 3 months before N400 filing (I am pending ROC on my GC - have my 18 month extension and global entry), that we shouldn't leave the US, even for a long weekend holiday to Mexico etc.

Is this true? I can't seem to find this written anywhere. We travel a lot and spend many of the public holidays in the US overseas doing short trips  (long weekends here and there) overseas. We are vaccinated for Covid (our second shot will be feb 10). Since in the 3 months before we file for my N400 there's July 4, july 24 (utah only holiday), and labor day, I'm wondering how legit this is that we can't travel during this time?

Such a first world problem I know, but just wondering everyone's experiences of this?

10 minutes ago, HRQX said:

It should be the other way around. Your lawyer should get the notice that says "We have mailed an official notice about this case (and any relevant documentation) according to the mailing preferences you chose on Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative. This is a courtesy copy, not the official notice."

That's so strange! Just looked and our copy is definitely a courtesy copy. Not excited to have to shorten our trip if they gave us the wrong one!

So... looks like our receipt we're getting is a courtesy copy and the original is going to our lawyer. We leave for australia in 2 days, can he fax us the original if it doesn't arrive in time? Does anyone have a pic of their receipt notice?

OMG! we finally have a case number. LIN service center. Is it weird that they didn't cash our check yet? We have like 50+k in that account so surely the check would clear?? Very nervous. 

Also we had our infopass this morning and it was a total waste of time. The man was horribly rude to me and my attorney, I cried and he basically told me to shut up lol. Don't waste your time on an infopass to get a stamp if they've lost your case. We ended up getting our receipt number by chance on the call in line.

OK I'm really starting to worry now. Ours was signed for on october 6 and no text, no check cashed and no NOA. What can we do?!

11 minutes ago, zhelle said:

We are on the same boat.. ours was delivered oct 6 as well. And i know my package will be returned because I sent the wrong amount. 🥺 how did you get an info pass appointment?

 

Sorry, not related to your question. 😊

What amount did you send?

We did $680 since that's what our attorney said is the current fee.

I called USCIS probably 5 times and explained that we are traveling next month to my home country and our check hasn't been cashed and we will need an I551 Stamp. The first 3 people refused to give me one, then I got in the queue for an infopass appointment and they called me 8 days later and gave me one for November 4. Fingers crossed!

Our app was delivered to AZ on October 6 at 8am. Our check still has not been cashed and our application is still not in the system.

We are travelling soon so we have an infopass for November 4. We would like to request an I-551 Stamp. Can anyone help us by telling us what to bring and what specifically to ask for?

4 minutes ago, WanderingSouls said:

Oh u mean to get back into the USA with expired green card? I dont know. I miss read ur post. Thought u were sending the noa with ur packett for i751

Yes, to get back into the USA if we extended our trip a little longer. I wouldn't want to risk it so figured I'd ask here. USCIS received our I751 app on the 6th and nothing yet!

3 minutes ago, WanderingSouls said:

Why do u need noa for form i-751?

NOA serves as our extension letter, does it not? 

1 hour ago, ThomasNC1988 said:

Your return date is before your GC expiration I hope?

Yes, GC expires Jan 2, 2021, return flight is booked Dec 30, 2020. Sad about it though, since Aus has such strict quarantine requirements we would have liked to spend an extra week or two there with our family over new years. 

Does anyone know if a copy of the NOA is accepted in addition to the expired GC, or does it need to be the original? Just wondering if it arrives whilst we're away and we get a copy printed?

Arrived to them on the 6th, check still not cashed. We leave for 2 months in Australia in 2 weeks and I'm getting nervous. Tried to book an infopass to get an I551 and they haven't even called me back to give me a date.

7 minutes ago, Genski92 said:

If you didn't change your name to your husband's name then the part "other name" should have none or N/A. If you change your name to husband's name you must put your maiden name on it.

 

Children's info must filled out like this↓ never leave it a blank

This is a good point. My apologies. I didn't change my name, so there are no other names for me but it may be different for you!

8 minutes ago, Thu Truong said:

Hi,

 

May I ask when you fill out the form I-751 for the parts that may not apply to you like: children information, preparers etc do you leave them as blank or put N/A ?

 

Thanks!

Thu

I just took a look and our attorney left it blank. They did put "none" for other names used, so it seems like if it's specific to you, you should answer even if it's 'none' but if it's relating to non-existent children you can just leave it as blank.