ramus_maximus

47 minutes ago, dwheels76 said:

The Houston office is still closed.

Wife had an oath ceremony today at the Houston office. So they are conducting some activities.

As the IO told us yesterday, received notifications just now for I-751 is approved and N-400 is recommended for approval and we are placed in line for oath ceremony to be scheduled. The IO also told us the oath might be next month or in April for sure.

10 hours ago, YESWECANDOIT said:

Congratulations. 

What happened with your wife and why did she have to wait that long to become us citizen?

Sorry I didn't follow about the mistake you did. I would be happy to know what not to do. 

Just make sure do your research and go prepared when called for an interview. At the time of application we didn't have joint bank account as it it not required, but I guess that was something they noticed, we didn't have any utilities under both of our names, no major purchases like car, furniture, etc. So make your evidence file is filled with different types.

6 minutes ago, John andrew said:

awesome that was really a win win lol congrats dear 

 

Thank you. 😀

So my advice is take more evidence than you think you need for your N-400 interview in case they do combo interview. Had we researched more and took everything we did today, wife would have been US citizen 16-17 months ago. Learn from our mistakes and go prepared.

We had our I-751 interview(2nd), 1st one was a combo with N-400.

Waited 30mins past our appointment time. Then finally called in by the IO. She started by asking what documents did we bring for the interview as stated in the interview notice. We had tax returns for last three years since the application. Affidavit signed by friends, bank statement with both names, insurance cards ( auto, health, vision , dental), car purchase documents, furniture purchase docs, credit cards statement as authorized user, all the flight itineraries since the application, photos (about 30) also since the application.

Then IO asked some personal questions like do we have kids, where do we work, when was the last time we visited my wife's family, where do they live, etc. I think the IO was satisfied with our answers and evidences that we brought with us.

Wife had already passed the N-400 civics exam so the next step was to approve the I-751 in 1-2 days and approve the N-400 and pass the file for scheduling for oath ceremony. The said just wait for the oath letter in mail and should not take more than 2 months for the remaining process to clear up.

Almost to the finish line after 3 years and 4 months of waiting. 🤞

On 2/17/2020 at 2:27 PM, sjn said:

What did the letter said ?

I believe it said that our case has been transferred to a local office that has jurisdiction. 

51 minutes ago, implife said:

what do you mean "last year"? 2018???

Yes June 2018. Apparently there are no red flags on our application so not really sure why the big delay.

On 9/4/2019 at 11:46 PM, dannynims said:

Hello, I know your case must have approved by now. But I wonder how long it takes after receiving notice that your case have been transfer to other office (NBC)? My case was transfer since 3 weeks and still I haven’t heard anything from NBC. 

Thank you 

Unfortunately still waiting for approval. We had combo interview last year in June. IO said they will be sending us a mail for next steps after the combo interview date. But they haven't sent anything as of today. After multiple status update inquires we are still waiting. 

On 7/19/2019 at 12:59 PM, leestahla said:

I haven't experienced this, mine is still there, and others have this week updated their estimated completion after checking the site, so this is specific to you right now. It's pretty crucial that you now rely on calling USCIS as soon as possible. 

 

Sounds like the timer on the website reached July 2019 and was then disabled as it's reached its deadline. It must not be tied to whether the case is actually updated as having closed. I would certainly call USCIS to make sure you haven't missed a letter or date, and if they have yet to send one,  you want to make sure you get it as it seems the website is not your reliable source right now. 

 

The worst case scenario and bigger reason to call and alert them of this is that they may be relying on that timer in some way/report/system and if you've glitched off of one of the wheels they have spinning, you want to make sure they catch that and adjust the timer. 

 

 

The processing times were updated and not sure if this is another glitch, but yesterday it showed Oct 03, 2017 and right now it shows July 04, 2017. It moved back 3 months.

On 7/19/2019 at 12:59 PM, leestahla said:

I haven't experienced this, mine is still there, and others have this week updated their estimated completion after checking the site, so this is specific to you right now. It's pretty crucial that you now rely on calling USCIS as soon as possible. 

 

Sounds like the timer on the website reached July 2019 and was then disabled as it's reached its deadline. It must not be tied to whether the case is actually updated as having closed. I would certainly call USCIS to make sure you haven't missed a letter or date, and if they have yet to send one,  you want to make sure you get it as it seems the website is not your reliable source right now. 

 

The worst case scenario and bigger reason to call and alert them of this is that they may be relying on that timer in some way/report/system and if you've glitched off of one of the wheels they have spinning, you want to make sure they catch that and adjust the timer. 

 

 

Will call them today for sure, just checked their website and still same as last week but the date for processing N-400 is updated for Houston FO. According to that we should be hearing something from them, but not holding my breath on that.

Thank you for your advice.

I noticed the USCIS website now does not show estimated month to have the case completed by. Does this show for everyone? Few months back it was showing Nov 2019 and from last month - last week it showed July 2019 . I was unable to access their website last three days with some technicalities on their end.  I am a Nov 2017 filer so as per the processing timeline on their website 14-21.5 months at HOU FO , I should be hearing something from them hopefully. 

Today we went in with our infopass appointment for 2nd I-551 stamp. N-400 still pending on I-751 to adjudicate. Its been over a year since our combo interview. The agent who gave us the new I-551 stamp told us that our file is pending on a 9208 shelf waiting for am interview to be scheduled. He told us that on a NI (non-interview) day the FO agents process the pending files. Basically told us to continue playing the waiting game. One positive sign is that the estimated processing time for N-400 shows July 2019 ( 1 month), not sure how reliable that is but hopefully we hear something in coming weeks. 

5 minutes ago, LeoFromBR said:

It's hard to imagine the trips would be a factor. Everyone lives how they can and want. Not everyone wants or can afford trips -- the latter has been my case. I suppose the tax returns could be a little red flag. Did you not have enough photos?

 

Do you have joint bank accounts, shared utility bills, auto insurance, health insurance, lease on both names?

 

Well, since you waited 11 months since the combo interview, I think at the anniversary mark, you could either contact a congressional liaison for help, or write to the Adjudicating Officer directly. The N-652 form you received at the end of your combo interview should have their name.

 

Honestly, if I'm in that situation 6 months after my combo, I will do either one of those options. I understand USCIS is overburdened, but there's only two options here: either they have all the evidence or they need more. On the bright side, you now should have a third year of  tax return by now.

We initially did not have a joint bank account at the time of I-751 application but was later added and an evidence was submitted to them. now we have total 5 yrs tax returns. we had shared insurances. but no utility or leases. 

20 minutes ago, LeoFromBR said:

Wow, that's ridiculous! It's been almost a year since your combo!!  I have to ask, were there any "red flags" or complications in your case? Such as divorce or lack of "big" evidence (no lease signed together or no tax filed jointly)?

 

I see that you have cases in California and Texas. Did you move between states during these applications?  Where did your I-751/N-400 combo interview take place? Have you moved after the interview?

 

I'm not an expert, but I've read about calling customer support and "escalating to a Tier 2 officer" so you can get some answers and actually make an InfoPass appointment. I mean, what else would anyone reading this suggest???

 

Good luck!

 

 

We only had 2 yrs tax returns,  few trips we took together and pics with friends and family. 

Never moved out of TX, we had to file our I-751 to CA. Combo interview was in Houston.

The Tier 2 officer gave is the same answer " Wait for their response" and they say they do not give infopass just to inquire about the staus. 

We are very frustrated by the response we have been getting. The people who can answer our questions in FO, we can't talk to them because they do not give infopass apponintments. The people we are able to contact do not know the actual case status. It feels like a never ending cycle since Oct 2016, that's when we applied for ROC.  

22 minutes ago, LeoFromBR said:

So if you were interviewed for Naturalization, that means you took the test, and that means at the end, they handed you the N-652 form, which says on the bottom, they have 120 days to make a decision. Did they inform you of their decision? 

Actually the combo interview was in June 2018 and we were finally able to get an infopass appointment in September 2018 because we still didn't have the letter (RFE) from them as the IO said they will be sending a letter requesting additional evidence within a week. Still waiting on that letter. September is when we took the additional documents we discussed during the combo interview.  Since then  we are unable to get any infopass appointments  as they changed how the infopass appt. are given. Their last response to our status update request on the I-751 is that they are still tying to find a time slot for us to schedule.

1 hour ago, GoodbyeGirl said:

That's the million $ question! But first, congrats on passing your N400. 

 

It seems to be luck of the draw. Some combi people get both cases officially approved on the day of interview, others get called back for an i-751 interview (take your spouse along) and some have to wait it out for non-interview i-751 adjudication post N400.

 

It's encouraging that your officer said that he will adjudicate your i-751, that suggests it's not leaving his desk which should mean a quicker turnaround if your application is pretty standard. And by that I mean no minor or major red flags he'll be required to investigate. But passing your civics, and having a good N400 interview, all points to the positive.

 

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

 

 

21 hours ago, fcorona85 said:

question, 

 

so I had my interview for the N400 today. However, my I751 is not complete yet. The officer said that he will have to adjudicate the I751 prior to the N400 (I passed the exam though). 

 

my question is, how long does it take for the officer to approve the I751? He had both files with him in the interview. 

 

thanks 

 

We are in same situation as you. Had the combo in September 2018. We made several attempts to get an update on why is it taking long, but everytime we were told to just wait for there response. We even provided more evidence but still waiting on their response.

21 hours ago, fcorona85 said:

question, 

 

so I had my interview for the N400 today. However, my I751 is not complete yet. The officer said that he will have to adjudicate the I751 prior to the N400 (I passed the exam though). 

 

my question is, how long does it take for the officer to approve the I751? He had both files with him in the interview. 

 

thanks 

 

.

On 2/10/2019 at 8:13 AM, pearla said:

I’m looking to see if anyone recently had an N-400 & I-751 combo interview at Houston Local office? How was your experience like?

We had combo interview back in June 2018, I know it not recent but go with your spouse and any additional documents. Our IO took civics test so saved us a trip, I read few comments that they were asked to wait or reschedule. Hopefully your IO is able to clear I-751 first and move forward with N-400 process. 

6 minutes ago, AlluringSoul said:

Yea, people would book infopasses and not show up. I always get to CS person without a problem, I think I press 3 to report "problem with my case" so that it actually connects to someone lol

Thanks will try that and update.

On 2/9/2019 at 11:55 AM, AlluringSoul said:

Customer service people are available, you just have to hit the right keys. You had problems connecting or the wait on for customer service is long? But that is true, infopass is now through the phone because they only want to schedule emergencies like stamps.

I have tried many times to talk to a real person in past month but same messages on a loop. I figured many people taking up infopass within normal processing times, that's why now they have go through phone screening. 

2 hours ago, ramus_maximus said:

 

We had our combo interview at Houston FO on June 25 2018, spouse  passed the N400 interview. But I-751 still pending. We were told to wait 90 for letter to arrive regarding RFE. So wend back in September 2018 with infopass appointment and additional evidences since RFE letter never came. Again were told to wait 60-90 days for a decision. Today is day 228 since the N400 interview and day 144 since the followup appointment. No update from them yet. And what is worse is field office will stop taking walk-ins after next week and infopass appointment are like diamonds. Staying up every night for past month at midnight to schedule appointment but no luck.

 

Planning to just walk-in today, fingers crossed. 

They refused to let me talk to anyone pas the check-in desk  without an appointment. They said starting Feb 18 they are making changes on how infopass appointments are made. After Feb 18th everyone has to call in and person on the phone will help with that. Hopefully this is true because I have not had any luck trying to talk to a live person in past month to the 1-800-375-5283 number. 

11 hours ago, Gemini1988 said:

Hi, I just want to share my experience about my My I-751 and N400 combo interview. I filed my I-751 feb 2017 and filed my N400 Feb 2018. Dec 31 2018 I got an letter for the interview for the N400 scheduled Feb 5. My husband and I went together for the interview and when we got there the IO told me that my I-751 still pending. So she told me to come back on Feb 7, She will conduct the combo interview. So Feb 7 we arrived the at USCIS 7am, and when our name was called we went inside her office and she started asking all the docs that she ask me to bring. She Adjudicated my I-751. She started asking questions to my husband and I, we were interview together at the same time. There are some circumstances that they will interview the couple seperate but on our cases, she conducted the interview for us together. After the I-751 interview, she next conducted my N400 interview. She ask me about the civics history and reading and writing. She ask me all those information I have on my N400. I passed the test, HOWEVER I have to wait for the final decision about my I-751. It will take like 120 days for the decision to be made, so even though you pass your N400 but if the I-751 hasn’t made the final decision you won’t be able to schedule for the oath ceremony. You have to wait until they approve the I-751 after that then you will receive a Oath Ceremony Schedule.

6 hours ago, DeKi said:

Nope.

 

I see all these recent EAC updates here and they kind of give me hope. (Especially people saying that they got their 10-yr green card in the mail without any update in the USCIS system.) But nothing that I can tell has happened with my I-751 yet.

 

I saw somewhere on the USCIS site that they have 120 days to issue an N-400 decision after the interview (someone above says the same for the 751; I don't know for a fact, but it might be a general self-imposed rule after any interview has taken place?), so I have a reminder in my calendar for mid-May. Hopefully that's the outer limit of how long I will need to keep waiting. 

We had our combo interview at Houston FO on June 25 2018, spouse  passed the N400 interview. But I-751 still pending. We were told to wait 90 for letter to arrive regarding RFE. So wend back in September 2018 with infopass appointment and additional evidences since RFE letter never came. Again were told to wait 60-90 days for a decision. Today is day 228 since the N400 interview and day 144 since the followup appointment. No update from them yet. And what is worse is field office will stop taking walk-ins after next week and infopass appointment are like diamonds. Staying up every night for past month at midnight to schedule appointment but no luck.

Planning to just walk-in today, fingers crossed. 

Something new for Houston office. 

On 1/31/2019 at 9:41 AM, Kopa said:

Ramus, to get an infopass you have to be on the website at 12:00am this is when they open up spots. They are often  filled within an hour. I was able to get my husband an infopass this way.

On 2/1/2019 at 9:46 AM, bonhomme said:

@ramus_maximus When I was trying to get an infopass for my 751 I found this and it really helped.  

 

On 2/2/2019 at 4:20 AM, pearla said:

@ramus_maximus check on Sunday, I think that’s when they release new info pass appointments

I tried again at midnight last night but no luck but I do have the Auto Refresh and visual ping on so fingers crossed. 

For the Visualping did you have to purchase the subscription or just the free service?

On 1/15/2019 at 10:23 PM, Kopa said:

An update: My husband had his interview on 11/13/18 in Houston.  He brought every single document they had listed on the form and the only thing they asked to see was his current passport.  Interview was pretty straight forward. He was not given approval at the end of the interview but was told to expect an answer after a supervisor reviews his case within a month.  I never expected to hear from them during that timeframe since the whole process has taken awhile but we were notified on 12/17/2018 via email that he is now in line for oath ceremony. We still haven't received the oath ceremony letter but we are hopeful he will make the February oath ceremony!

Spouse had the combo interview back in May 2018, passed the civics test and told us they needed additional documents which we submitted in September 2018. They told us to hear back in 60-90 days, its been 4 months nothing yet. Hard to get Infopass too, we have been checking every night for past month.