Booze&Blues

@hopephilly,

As promised I wanted to come back and let you know how last Tuesday interview in the Philly USCIS office went. All I can say is highly unusual with a positive outcome. The reason why I would rather not go in details so that other applicants, at the Philly office especially, would not consider my encounter as the standard practice. Yet, in short, I had all documents with me, once I was asked to get in after 45 minutes wait on an 8am appointment, the officer complaind about amount of documents I brought in. Eventho it was within range of others waiting for similar interviews. Didn't ask to see anything with exception of ID and GC. But I passed on spot after 20 minutes then he asked me to wait outside for oath letter to be handed to me in person. Interview was on a Tuesday the 26th and oath was on Friday the 29th at 11am of the same week.

After oath I sent out my passport application in the same day!

Was a long and very interesting journey. Can't wait to vote!

I know you'll be traveling soon, so have a nice trip! 

@marklovetina,

Good luck on interview date! Depending on your field office and the type of oath ceremony you will be joining (judicial/administrative) the time between interview and swearing in will vary. But if you did not request a name change on your application, your oath ceremony shouldn't take long to schedule. 

@mexi88 I read on a different forum that judicial oath ceremony time frame in and around the Philadelphia area depends on how busy is your respective county's court. One person mentioned to me that it may take up to 3 months to get to judicial oath ceremony. But I hope that was an exaggerated example and not the norm. Eventually tho you'll get there! 

Off topic question, did anyone on this thread got asked for either passport size pictures or married couple pictures on their interviews? 

I'll be attending my interview this coming Tuesday and thought to check in with you guys. 

Thanks and good luck to all.

Thanks @hopephilly, and happy belated Ramadan to you! Those 18 hour fast are no joke!

So yeah I got an interview date on June 26th; and I'm really hoping to get oath scheduled shortly afterwards. If you are still around till then, I will surely let you know when my oath will take place.

Thanks for checking up on me, it really means a lot. You are so kind like always 

@cmellgren, 

Congratulations on your upcoming oath ceremony. I don't personally have experience as to whether we are able video tape the ceremony but I assume it is ok since I've seen a few on YouTube. But then again if yours will be a judicial ceremony it might be a bit different but you can always bring your phone then ask of it was ok to document your big day.

g'luck man and let us know how it goes. I think I want to do the same

@susysteele :

I've received the same email then next morning a text message saying the same thing even though my removal of conditions application was already approved a year ago. Didn't know what to think of it except some communication malfunction I guess? 

I don't know how many people had this notification pop up once more a year later after being already approved in 2017.

I'm just really hoping it won't mess up my upcoming naturalization interview.

@n400_may_2017

Comparing your time line with others within your local USCIS office will give you an idea when your application should be processed. But my guess is that your N400 application has been delayed a bit for one reason or another just like mine. Yet I also learned from different forums that once you reach one year from application received date things tend to move. 

On Monday morning May 21st  I got notification that my application was placed in line for interview then later in the day another text that my interview was scheduled. Five days later I got my interview letter set for June 26th. After 380 days I finally got that little glimpse of light at end of tunnel. I know you will too. Keep checking that App and see where everyone else is in tetms of this whole process. But keep being optimistic and hopefully you'll hear something soon. Good luck!

@n400_may_2017 ,

Sorry to hear about your trouble. I'm in a similar situation. No update after an early June 2017 biometric.

My local field office showing up to 15.5 months processing time for n400s. Even though all Philly filers have gotten updates and their file adjucated within 9-10 months on aveage.

Check your local field office processing time upper limit then plan accordingly. 

What I will do is try to schedule an info pass by months end to make sure my file is still being worked on and just waiting on name check I guess.

Some applicants contacted their congressman once upper time limit was reached without getting any results; and some have enen filed a lawsuit - Writ of Mandamus- to get their application adjucated. Every case is different yet USCIS doesn't really tell you much unless they needed more info as in RFE. 

I'm no expert, just a filer, so your best bet would be an immigration attorney if you have real concerns regarding your application.

Keep your chin up, pretty sure you'll hear back from USCIS soon. 

Hope this helps.

Congratulations @hopephilly

It must have been a great oath ceremony. 

No more uscis nightmares for you 

And I'm very happy for you!

On a different note, is anyone else suffering with this website endless malwares making it sometimes impossible to either read or post into it?

Enjoy your big day this coming Friday @hopephilly

Let us know how it all goes! 

Best of luck 

Congrats @hopephilly !

I'm so excited for you. The sense of relief is a reward in of its self. You've waited a very long time and now it's time to relax and enjoy your oath ceremony 

@hopephilly total radio silence. Nothing yet. Still says fingerprint scheduled. 

But I'm so excited that you're done and will have oath scheduled soon 

You deserve a big prize for undergoing so much stress. You are a champ! 

22 hours ago, Suzzzieq said:

Congrats to all May filers who have finished their journeys. It seems like majority May filers have completed their cases. However, i file in early May 2017 and my case is still at biometrics completed stage. My FO is Kendall florida and it is about one pf the slowest in the country. All i can do is wait. Maybe another 2 months i will hear something im not sure.

Sorry to hear.

I read on other threads that a few cases starts to move once the year mark from filing date nears.

I'd be stuck at biometrics scheduled phase for a whole year comes first week of May. The updated time processing website for field offices (Philly in my case) says 11-15.5 months yet there are some July 2017 filers who are being interviewed this week. My best bet would be USCIS picks random cases to be delayed for quality assurance measures or something of that sort.

Others on other threads as well claim country of origin, N400 specifics, and other factors may play a role in delay, yet I don't buy into that. Even though my patience is thinning down, I do still believe the system to be fair and impartial.

Best of luck to you!

5 hours ago, Suzzzieq said:

My case is still at biometrics scheduled phase, which i had completed. It’s been almost 11 months and the case hasnt moved

Same here. I sent out service request via myuscis tools menu under Notice Wasn't delivered and called the 800 number to speak with a L2 rep. None yielded any results. My local office -Philly- seems to get N400 processed within 9 months. But the newly designed  uscis website pilot claims 11-15 months for naturalization.  Asking a congressman or the uscis ombudsman  to intervene when out of processing time frame may help. But until then, there's very little to nothing we can do. Remaining positive is the only thing helping for now.

Nothing yet @hopephilly

Still shows fingerprint scheduled. Going over 10 months now. But Ill definitely let you know if I ever hear anything. I'm just being patient and optimistic 

Well done @hopephilly.

I'm terribly sorry you weren't able to wrap up your interview today, but I'm glad you only need to hand in IRS payment agreement once it arrives. Remember to copy the letter and type your name, application and A numbers on it before handing it in. Also attention it to the IO name if you have it. You're technically done really.

All the best neighbor!

Good luck on Monday @hopephilly. I know you will crush the interview 

Perfect @hopephilly.

You really sound like you're all set!

Your journey is bound to a happy ending 2 weeks from Monday. Just be organized which I'm sure you are and study the booklet you got last year for civics test. You'll do well, I just know it.

Piece of advice tho, relax and don't over stress the small things so that you're fresh and alert on your big day.

Sending positive vibes your way 

I'll ask around for you @hopephilly.

Used to doing personal/corporate tax while back before I switched to audit and consulting. 

If I remember right you probably have an online agreement or a copy of form 9465 depending on how much you owe (25-50)K. 

Print out or copy your agreement and stick it in folder with the rest of your income tax returns. Write a couple paragraphs letter explaining the issue then sign and date. Keep it a side in case IO asks for it, but if no questions asked I don't believe you are a bligated to disclose it. 

Never been in this situation but that's what I would do. Meanwhile I'll ask around see if I can come up with a more concrete solution then share it with ya.

Thanks @hopephilly

Yeah I let it all out at gym 

Don't forget to gather all recent bank statements, tax transcripts, bills and what not in preperarion for your interview. Specially us 3 year rule filers might be asked to show little extra, but just in case they do.

4 hours ago, hopephilly said:

No news about your interview yet ? 

Still says fingerprint scheduled. But I keep busy so I don't stress over it. I'm glad tho all other Philly filers and others are on their way to interviews!

53 minutes ago, deborabr said:

I finally received a text message saying my case is in line for interview. This is the first time my case was updated online since I submitted my package back in May 2017. Does anyone knows how long it takes for them to actually schedule the interview now?

If I had to guess your next update will happen fairly soon depending on your field office processing time. Hope you'll hear good news next couple of days having to wait for such a long time.

Let us know what happens. Good luck!

On 2/17/2018 at 4:59 PM, seyda & zack said:

Finally I got my interview notice yesterday March 20th 2018, good luck everyone....

Excellent! 

I meant to ask you, did you ever call customer service, went for infopass, or inquire online before your status changed from fingerprint to inline for interview? Or did it happen on its own?

Best of luck on your interview date I'm sure you'll do exceptionally well.

43 minutes ago, seyda & zack said:

Yesterday I got text message and email from uscis my case status changed current now "interview was schedule" I am not receive my interview notice yet, I hope will get it soon...

Congrats again, your application is moving quick after such a long wait. Expect letter within 5 business days give or take. You're almost there! 

3 hours ago, seyda & zack said:

My status was finger print appointment since may2017 finally today they changed my status to scheduling interview I hope i will get my interview letter soon... 

That's great news. Congrats! 

Did you apply under 3 or 5 year rule?

What time of day did you get your online notification?

You'll move onto interview scheduled eventually where you'll be receiving interview letter shortly after.

Im probably the only Philly filer who is still stuck at finger print stage for 9 months 

But I'm glad your application is moving forward. 

Keep us updated with your progress please and all the best to you. 

Thanks @hopephilly, will do.