Hi Lovinglive
It’s very rewarding to hear that our experiences are helping other people!
Regarding your questions, this is what I think. I hope others can offer some ideas too.
1. To file the N400 is pretty straightforward, just basic info and documents. The biggest part I think, it’s the cover letter and the employment contact, that to support your eligibility of 319B. You will need to convince the authorities that your job qualifies the requirements. Probably you could start writing it up already.
2. I do know people applied online from overseas and it went ok
3. You don’t have to include fingerprints at the initial stage, you can send it in later. I am not sure you can be exempted and somehow I feel maybe not, but they will let you know one way or another. If you want to save time, maybe get two sets done and send in all tougher.
Good luck with the application!!!
Qian