Moro

Well, back in 2021 they did not allow walk-in’s, so I called into the call center to let them know that I had an emergency and I needed an urgent appointment. I called many times before getting an appointment. 

On 10/5/2021 at 10:59 AM, nnekaj said:

Hello everyone. From those that have had their interviews recently and got approved, what was the waiting time from issued and visa in hand? Specifically from issued to visa in hand. Or after issued what’s next? Thanks guys x 

Hi, Have you had your interview yet? I’ve been watching your timelines trying to figure out what the current wait time is from NVC to interview. My mom’s petition is at NVC and I am anxious to get her here since my dad passed earlier this year.

as far as your question -  after they approve, they keep your passport. it should take about a week to get your passport in hand with visa issued unless there is some administrative review( highly unlikely)..then you can travel, you have to take the X-ray in a sealed envelope with you to give to the officer at your first port of entry. 

On 5/20/2021 at 8:32 PM, Gingerspike said:

Finally!!! They approved my I-751 today and my N400 is now updated to Oath will Be Scheduled. 🥰🥰🥰 I now have a little breathing room. Here is my timeline from myUSCIS. 

I am very happy for you. Congrats!

1 hour ago, zobear920 said:

Hi, what are the eligibility questions? 
 

also, this was still the old civics test right? I believe they recently changed it but don’t think it applies to 2020 n400 filers? 

Yes, this was the old civics test. The eligibility questions are stuff like, are you willing to the take the oath, support the constitution, etc

17 hours ago, jiro said:

What does "Your case was submitted for quality review" mean, does anybody know? I just had my N400 interview, and this is what says on my status now. How long does it usually last? 

It should only be a day or so. 

On 5/4/2021 at 1:17 PM, Moro said:

Interview at USCIS office in Chicago. Arrived on time, I wasn’t sure if they would allow my husband to join given how different USCIS operate but the Chicago folks didn’t even ask questions, they just let him in. we set down for a few minutes and we were called in right away. The officer asked for mine and hubby drivers license,passport and green card. I then told her that when I recently came in for a I-551 stamp they took my conditional green-card since it had expired. 

 

She then said let’s start with I-751 interview, she asked how we met. My husband and I are both chatter box so we told a story of how we met.. she commented on the fact that we travel a lot. It seemed like she had looked at our file. She did not ask for any originals or any additional information. 

 

Then she did my civics test:

1. What does the presidents cabinet do 
2. What political party is the president 
3. Who is the speaker of the house 
4. Name a right under the first amendment
5. Who was the First president 
6. Why does the flag have 50 states 

Reading- what day is Columbus Day?

Writing - Columbus Day is in October 

Then she proceeded to ask the eligibility questions.

She then told me I was approved and should have the oath ceremony in the next 3-4

 

So glad this journey is finally over and I’m grateful to the visa journey community support 

Update: My oath ceremony was scheduled for June 2nd.

8 hours ago, cosmonauts said:

I had my combo interview this morning. I got the dreaded "decision cannot be made". The officer said because I had a pending GC he couldn't approve me on the spot but he was recommending my case for approval. That I should get something in the mail in 30 days. I'm so f%$%% disappointed. I know they are doing same day oaths because we heard someone was given those instructions while we were waiting. The journey continues.

 

The officer did not want to talk to my husband, he was asked to stay in the waiting room. The only extra documents the officer wanted were latest tax return, latest mortgage statement, home owners insurance, and latest bank statements. That's all. TBH the officer wasn't the nicest but I'm glad I'm comfortable speaking English and I think I did my best to stay calm and answer all his questions.

 

Here are the questions I was asked for N-400.

 

Read: Where is the White House? Write: The White House is in Washington DC.

 

What is one state that borders Canada?

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

What is one war fought by the US in the 1900?

Who did the US fight in WW2?

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Congrats! Almost there....  Wow if you local office has same day oaths, then I bet you will have your oath ceremony soon  ... i had my interview on the 4th and my status still says, your oath ceremony will be scheduled. 

23 hours ago, Dzfiction said:

My case was received august 7th and haven’t heard nothing yet !!! Is this normal ? Anybody in same situation please because I’m going coucou here !

Are you referring to a I-751, if so yes that takes a long time.. and if you initially came on conditional green-card through consular processing, your case can take a lot time as those have to be sent to local field office for interview. I believe those are case numbers starting with MSC.   Most people on this thread filed in July 2019. I did too. My case was only approved yesterday - so that was 22months of waiting. Hang in there! 

Just now, jiro said:

in the next 3-4 days? or 3-4 weeks? and congratulations!

hahaha.. typo. 3-4 weeks. 

On 4/15/2021 at 4:45 PM, Gingerspike said:

Thank you and good luck too! Would love to hear your experience too.

I had my interview today. Arrived on time, I wasn’t sure if they would allow my husband to join given how different USCIS operate but the Chicago folks didn’t even ask questions, they just let him in. we set down for a few minutes and we were called in right away. The officer asked for mine and hubby drivers license,passport and green card. I then told her that when I recently came in for a I-551 stamp they took my conditional green-card since it had expired. 

She then said let’s start with I-751 interview, she asked how we met. My husband and I are both chatter box so we told a story of how we met.. she commented on the fact that we travel a lot. It seemed like she had looked at our file. She did not ask for any originals or any additional information. 

Then she did my civics test:

1. What does the presidents cabinet do? 
2. What political party is the president ?
3. Who is the speaker of the house? 
4. Name a right under the first amendment?
5. Who was the First president ?
6. Why does the flag have 50 states ?

Reading- what day is Columbus Day?

Writing - Columbus Day is in October 

Then she proceeded to ask the eligibility questions.

She then told me I was approved and should have the oath ceremony in the next 3-4

Overall a very positive experience, So glad this journey is finally over. Thanks again for sharing your experience 

Interview at USCIS office in Chicago. Arrived on time, I wasn’t sure if they would allow my husband to join given how different USCIS operate but the Chicago folks didn’t even ask questions, they just let him in. we set down for a few minutes and we were called in right away. The officer asked for mine and hubby drivers license,passport and green card. I then told her that when I recently came in for a I-551 stamp they took my conditional green-card since it had expired. 

She then said let’s start with I-751 interview, she asked how we met. My husband and I are both chatter box so we told a story of how we met.. she commented on the fact that we travel a lot. It seemed like she had looked at our file. She did not ask for any originals or any additional information. 

Then she did my civics test:

1. What does the presidents cabinet do 
2. What political party is the president 
3. Who is the speaker of the house 
4. Name a right under the first amendment
5. Who was the First president 
6. Why does the flag have 50 states 

Reading- what day is Columbus Day?

Writing - Columbus Day is in October 

Then she proceeded to ask the eligibility questions.

She then told me I was approved and should have the oath ceremony in the next 3-4

So glad this journey is finally over and I’m grateful to the visa journey community support 

Hi guys,

just wanted to let you know that I have my N400 tomorrow, Chicago field office. I have a pending I-751, I was originally approved through CR1 so I expect that the Chicago office already has my file to do a joint interview. Hubby is coming along. I will update you all after my interview. 
I am both nervous and excited. Nervous because I hope I didn’t forget anything or made a mistake that causes a delay but I am mostly excited because I am near the end of a long journey. For me it’s been an 11 yr immigration journey, I first moved here in 2006 via an H1b through work and when the  H1b expired(6yr) , I moved back to my home country between 2012-2016 until I met my husband in 2016. Wish me luck 🙏🏾

On 4/12/2021 at 3:28 PM, Gingerspike said:

I had my N400 interview earlier with me in Los Angeles office. My appointment was at 8:05 am but we already went inside the building at 7:40 am. My husband was with me and they didn’t even ask about him on the main security check. 

 

We then proceeded to the 6th floor and the security asked what am I there for. I told him I am here for my N400 interview but I have a pending I-751 and I brought my husband with me, just in case. He let us in and told to check in at window 1. I checked in at the USCIS office around 7:50 am and told the lady again that I have a pending i-751 and if my husband is needed. Receptionist said it is up to the officer’s discretion if she will do a combo interview. 

 

I checked in at 7:50 am, my appointment is 8:05 am, but I got called at 9:40 am. When we approached officer, officer immediately told us that she is only going to do the N400 interview and my husband is not needed, so he needs to wait downstairs at the lobby. We then walked to another hallway and while we were walking, she was asking me something but I can barely hear her coz she was wearing an N-95 and facemask and people were talking in the hallway too. I just said yes at that moment then we entered the room. She then asked me for passport, green card, and driver’s license and proceeded to make a copy. 

 

Officer was really nice and we had a little chit chat but then she reiterated “Again, do you have any updated documents for me like joint accounts, lease, car insurance that is not yet here in your file?” I then said “Oh! That’s what was you’re asking for. I am sorry I didn’t understand coz you are muffled. Yes I do!” Then I proceeded to get the copies of our current status of joint bank accounts, W-2s, car insurances, and pictures after the time I filed N400. She actually praised me for being on top of it coz she said 95% of the applicants do not read what is needed from them and this was a good help in adjudicating my i-751 without the need to return again for a separate interview. She then looked at my case again and said it was an easy case and hope she’ll get more of it everyday. 😆

 

She then proceeded to do the tests first. She said the computer generates the questions for me but it so slow and always buffering, so I need to bear with her. 😅

 

Civics Test Questions 

 

1. What is the supreme law of the land? The Constitution 
2. What is the emancipation proclamation? Freed the slaves
3. How many justices are there in the supreme court? Nine
4. Who is the vice president of the United States? Kamala Harris
5. Who signs bills to become laws? The President
6. When was the Constitution written? 1787

 

Reading and Writing part

 

Reading: What do we pay to the government?

 

Writing: We pay taxes. (Wrote it on the tablet in front of me.)

 

She then proceeded to swore an oath that I will tell the truth regarding my application. She asked my name, my birthday, confirmed my current address and job, said that I left my height blank (which I did not but somehow online form glitched), and proceeded to the yes/no questions. We were fast but she said her computer was really slow, so we need to be slow. 

 

She then asked me to review my information in the tablet in front of me if they were correct. I signed and she printed the paper saying I passed the exam but since I have a pending i-751, I have to wait by mail for the decision and oath taking schedule, if ever. She asked if I took a day off for today and my husband and I said yes. She said “Well, tell your husband I will review this file as is since you gave an updated copies of joint documents but it will probably take time to adjudicate this coz we are shortstaffed. Just wait for the notice in the mail.”

 

Over-all it was a pleasant experience. I feel comfortable with the officer as we did chat from time to time while waiting for her computer to load as well as all the staff there in DTLA. I will update once I have oath taking schedule. I am done with the N400 exam and interview, woohhooo! 🥰

That’s a big milestone. Congrats for that. My N400 interview is 18days. My husband will join just in case they decide to a combo interview.. I recently had to do an I-551 stamp and they told me to have my hubby come along. Thanks for posting just a detailed note. Your civic questions seem easy enough ;)

1 hour ago, Davadell said:

Walk in, i did and i got my passport stamped. No issues whatsoever. I would not travel without having your passport stamped.

Thanks. Fingers crossed the Chicago field officers are as friendly as your field officers.

3 hours ago, da95826 said:

In the case that you cannot get an InfoPass appointment in time for your trip or need the stamp as soon as possible, you can walk into your local USCIS field office to request this stamp. At your InfoPass interview, the USCIS officer will put a stamp in your passport that should be valid for 6-12 months.

 

Walk-in infopass stamps were possible pre-COVID may be possible if you go and try. Bring proof you have an emergency need to travel.

 

Sorry about your loss.

Thank you. I will try that.

Hi Everyone, 

This forum has everyone that has seen it all, so i am hoping someone can offer some advice. I have a pending I-751 and N400 applications, my 18month extension expires on April 5th. My father passed away on wednesday and i have been trying to get an emergency Infopass appointment to get my I-551 stamp since wednesday with no luck. I was told that the Chicago office has no avail appointment, the 2nd time i called they said they would escalate to a manager and today they said, the immigration officer is still reviewing..

Two immigration attorneys gave different advices - one said i should leave to attend the funeral and make sure i print all the docs, status update and that the passport control wont turn me away because my husband would be with me.. another attorney flat out says thats a terrible idea because the airlines may not even let me get on the plane - I am inclined to believe this because the last time i traveled to my home country with the extension letter, airlines heavily scrutinized the letter.. so they may not let me board. 

is there anything else i can do? of course i will keep calling USCIS.

Thanks in advance.

Inns

15 hours ago, NMLCGL said:

I had my N400 interview today (in Denver) with same day oath ceremony and I'm now a US Citizen!

 

Officer was awesome and made it a fun experience

 

I had a pending I-751 so I my wife came with me but was not allowed into the building initially. When the officer called me the first thing he asked was if my wife was here, so I called her and he met her in the lobby and checked her in so we could take care of the I-751 first which just took a few minutes. 

 

I did ask about the delay in I-751 processing and the office basically said these are the lowest priority cases as they don't affect your status while they are processing.

 

The biggest bit of advice I can give is - if you have an I-751 pending when you attend your N400 interview, always take your spouse and assume you will have a combo interview no matter what the interview notice says

 

Hang in there everyone, your time IS coming!

Wow! This is encouraging news. Congratulations!!