Pascal07

I have a related question. When you leave your home country with your home passport (South African in my case), don't they ask you for proof that you will be let into the US? So at that point, won't you have to show your US passport to show that you can legally enter the US? I'm wondering if this presents a problem, walking around with 2 passports...

Thanks!

Hi everyone

So I had my interview this morning as well. Waited about 30 mins, and the interview was 15-20 mins. Basic questions, just running through everything. I have to say though, profiling is still alive and well in the US... The longest part of the interview was the part where the officer was grilling me about my wife's heritage, since her maiden name is Haddad (she's 1/4 Lebanese). Ugh.

Anyway, all's well that ends well. Now waiting for the Oath letter!!

Got my interview letter today! Amazing, I thought it was going to be at least a year's wait! They seem to be really cooking with gas right now...

Timeline updated below.

.................Sent.........NOA1.......Biometrics.....Interview......Oath

completely.......03/07/08.....04/15/08.....--/--/08.....06/10/08.....--/--/--....TSC

klanecky.........04/02/08.....04/10/08.....--/--/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....VSC

saby.............04/05/08.....04/??/08.....04/29/08.....07/29/08.....--/--/--....VSC - Newark

licianne.........04/07/08.....04/15/08.....04/29/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....TSC

lumoy115.........04/09/08.....04/16/08.....05/05/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....NSC

gatorlink........04/10/08.....04/21/08.....05/06/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....TSC - Tampa

Pascal07.........04/12/08.....04/29/08.....05/14/08.....07/31/08.....--/--/--....CSC - San Jose

pry2008..........04/14/08.....04/26/08.....05/07/08.....07/14/08.....--/--/--....NSC

sam75............04/21/08.....04/28/08.....05/13/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....TSC

stef and kel.....04/22/08.....05/06/08.....05/22/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....VSC - Buffalo

zyggy............04/26/08.....05/05/08.....05/30/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....CSC - Phoenix

lespoir fait.....04/26/08.....05/02/08.....05/28/08.....08/06/08.....--/--/--....NSC - Chicago

followmydreams...04/27/08.....05/08/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....VSC

Laxmi............04/28/08.....05/09/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....

F1Belle..........04/28/08.....05/15/08.....05/30/08.....06/21/08.....--/--/--....NSC - Atlanta

nfytoknow........04/29/08.....05/06/08.....05/29/08.....07/17/08.....--/--/--....NSC - Cincinnati

MGM..............04/29/08.....05/16/08.....05/29/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....NSC

jsouthwick.......04/30/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....TSC

Tong Yan.........04/30/08.....05/16/08.....05/29/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....

Wow - I can't believe people are getting interview letters already! Amazing!! Updated my details with DO...

........Sent.........NOA1.......Biometrics.....Interview......Oath

completely.......03/07/08.....04/15/08.....--/--/08.....06/10/08.....--/--/--....TSC

klanecky.........04/02/08.....04/10/08.....--/--/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....VSC

licianne.........04/07/08.....04/15/08.....04/29/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....TSC

lumoy115.........04/09/08.....04/16/08.....05/05/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....NSC

Pascal07.........04/12/08.....04/29/08.....05/14/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....CSC - San Jose

pry2008..........04/14/08.....04/26/08.....05/07/08.....07/14/08.....--/--/--....NSC

sam75............04/21/08.....04/28/08.....05/13/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....TSC

stef and kel.....04/22/08.....05/06/08.....05/22/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....VSC - Buffalo

zyggy............04/26/08.....05/05/08.....05/30/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....CSC - Phoenix

lespoir fait.....04/26/08.....05/02/08.....05/28/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....NSC - Chicago

followmydreams...04/27/08.....05/08/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....VSC

Laxmi............04/28/08.....05/09/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....

F1Belle..........04/28/08.....05/15/08.....05/30/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....NSC

nfytoknow........04/29/08.....05/06/08.....05/29/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....NSC - Cincinnati

MGM..............04/29/08.....05/16/08.....05/29/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....NSC

jsouthwick.......04/30/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....TSC

Tong Yan.........04/30/08.....05/16/08.....05/29/08.....--/--/--.....--/--/--....TSC

Yes - I sent an email to the LA office, and 5 days later the requirements (and application form) showed up in the mail. Remarkably and uncharacteristically efficient

Just an update -- I got my "certificate" from the SA consulate today to say that I will retain my SA citizenship when I take up US citizenship. The only requirement is that you have to enter and exit SA with your SA passport.

Another quick (and probably the last for a while...) update. Biometrics done this morning. I guess now the long wait starts...

Yes - I sent an email to the LA office, and 5 days later the requirements (and application form) showed up in the mail. Remarkably and uncharacteristically efficient

Thanks for the post. I mailed my form to the LA office this week, but the requirements they sent me were slightly different:

* BI-1664

* Notarized copy of passport

* Notarize affidavit that you don't have any other citizenship AND the reason why you want dual citizenship

* Regular copy of green card

* Money order for $19

* The requirements did NOT say anything about pre-addressed envelope...

Maybe it's different depending on the consulate you file at...

Just a quick update - got my biometrics letter today. Appointment date is 5/14. I'm surprised it came so quickly (especially after a particularly nightmarish I-751 journey...).

Updated full timeline now in my signature. Let's hope April 2008 is a good month to file for all of us

can u travel after filing n400? i applied in november and did the fingers but waiting for interview letter in nyc but their dates for the offices r may2007 b4 it was june ...month b4 that was july..looks like it keeps going back months instead of ahead and i want to travel i want to go to my husband overseas who is waiting to see me and his new baby and i hate checking the mail and not seeing anything..people who applied after me are already citizens..anywayz can u travel or do they get pissy cuz i have alot of traveling on my applications to begin with so should i not travel and wait on the other hand i miss my husband havent seen him in 8 months.

If you have a valid passport and valid green card, you can travel as much as you want -- as long as you don't miss any USCIS appointments, and don't stay out of the country for more than 6 months.

Hey

When you received first NOA, does it say anything about biometrics?

Like you will receive letter for it?

I-751 did. I am just wondering if it is similar NOA.

Yes - it just said that you will get a separate biometrics letter. No indication of how long the wait is though...

Got my NOA today -- see below for update timeline.

Interesting though, it said "receipt with exception", and talked about "missing evidence", even though I'm sure I sent everything. I did a quick search and it seems like this is the boilerplate notice for lots of people and that it's nothing to worry about. Please indicate if your NOA's say this when you get them... Thanks!!

04/12/2008: N-400 Application mailed (CSC)

04/18/2008: Check cashed

05/01/2008: NOA1 received (priority date April 14, 2008; interview within 365 days

My check was cashed on 4/18 and I don't have NOA yet (also no receipt number on the check). So yeah, I'm starting to worry too -- but you know, this is the USCIS we're talking about, things take a while, and there's often no rhyme or reason...

So yeah I went for my appointment today. The lady that checked my case said that she can't give me I-94 because I have a passport even though it is not valid(expired). So yeah she told me to go to office where all my case documents are and see what's up with my case because we haven't received a scheduled interview date. How long any of you guys, have been waiting for an interview schedule date, after you received the letter saying that your petition is being forwarded to your local district Office? My notice to await an interview schedule date came in on Dec31,2007. Still no further notice.

Edit: I got my fingerprints done already like 6 months back

Most I-751s are approved without an interview, so you're won't necessarily get an interview date. However, if you're extension letter is expiring it means your case has been pending for more than a year. I would call the 1-800 number, give them the receipt number that's on the extension letter, and ask them if they have any updates on your case. It's weird that they couldn't give you more information at the Infopass...

Hi all

When the check for my I-751 was cashed, there was a receipt number written on the check (WAC....) that I could use for tracking. My N-400 check was cashed this morning - no such number. There is a 7-digit number written on the check that I don't think is a receipt number. Do they not write receipt numbers on the check for N-400s?

Thanks!

04/12/2008: N-400 Application mailed (CSC)

04/18/2008: Check cashed

Hi all - hope I didn't miss an existing thread but I used search and couldn't find one. Anyone filing this month, let's stay in touch and follow each other's journeys!

04/12/2008: N-400 Application mailed (CSC)

Hi all

My N-400 package is ready to go but I thought I'd check in one more time on this forum -- something I should have done before my I-751 nightmare happened last year! I'm submitting the following:

-- N-400 application

-- 2 photos

-- check (of course)

-- copy of green card (front and back)

-- copy of wife's US birth certificate

-- copy of marriage license

-- tax transcripts for the last 4 years (married filing jointly)

-- separate piece of paper explaining affiliations (based on these instructions in the document checklist: If you answer "Yes" to any of Questions 1 through 14 of Part 10 of form N-400, send: A written explanation on a separate sheet of paper)

It seems that a lot of people also send additional documents like joint back accounts, bills, photos, etc. But since my I-751 has been approved I don't see a reason to do this again. Any thoughts on that? I'm thinking the thinner the packet, the happier the Immigration Officer is going to be

Thanks in advance for the advice!

A checklist can be found here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD

This is great - thanks!!

Make that Part 10 (Q 1-14, and 22-33)

Part 10. Additional Questions.

Answer each question by checking ''Yes'' or ''No.'' If any part of a question applies to you, you must answer ''Yes.'' For example, if you were never arrested but were once detained by a police officer, check ''Yes'' to the question ''Have you ever been arrested or detained by a law enforcement officer?'' and attach a written explanation.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/N-400ins.pdf

Where did you read about Part 7, and 8?

M-476: Guide to Naturalization:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

The "Document Checklist", where I read this, is right towards the end.

It do remember reading somewhere that you don't need to send in any information for a speeding fine, but this confused me a little bit...

Hi all

In the document checklist section of the Guide to Naturalization it says the following:

If you answer “Yes” to any of Questions 1 through 15 in Part 7 of form N-400, send:

A written explanation on a separate sheet of paper.

If you answer “No” to any of Questions 1 through 5 in Part 8 of form N-400, send:

A written explanation on a separate sheet of paper.

On the N-400 form I have, which looks like it's up to date, Part 7 and 8 are about trips outside the US, and marital history, with no question numbers. So this can't be it. I'm assuming this refers to a different part, but I can't figure it out. Any thoughts?

In essence, I'm trying to figure out if I need to send in any evidence about my $150 speeding fine I got last year

Thanks!

Rian

Ok this is the automated number: 1-800-829-0922

Good for future reference. Waiting on hold was ok though, since I was just browsing online.

Wow, I just did this and it was surprisingly efficient. Why can't the USCIS be like this?

Thanks for the number.

Thanks everyone for your answers. Why can't they make it this clear on the USCIS web site?

I apologize if this has been asked before, I couldn't find it in earlier posts.

I am married to a US citizen, my conditions have been removed, and I have my 10-year card.

My 3-year "card anniversary" is June 30th. Do I have to wait until June 30th to apply for Naturalization, or can I apply 90 days before (March 30th)?

Thanks for the advice - I read the N-400 instructions but I'm still confused...

You can actually apply for something that's called "extended leave", or something like that. If you know you're going to be out of the country for more than a year, you can apply for this and you'll stay in status (i.e. you won't lose your permanent residency). Maybe someone else on this forum has more details about that, I'm not very familiar with the process.

Your argument makes a lot of sense though -- it IS a lot of money! I guess we're just encouraging you to look at all your options, because you just seem SO close to being done with this process that you should be very certain if you're going to abandon it this close to the finish line.

Hey -- all the best! Everyone's situation is different, and we can give advice from our experience but you know your situation the best!!

This is just my personal opinion, but if I were you I would go through the removal of conditions process before returning to Aus. It's a small amount of money to pay compared to the benefits you gain from permanent residency. Even if you don't plan right now to come back to live in the US, plans have a way of changing down the road. We're all really privileged to have permanent residency in the US, considering how hard it is to get into the US! I would look at this as an investment in your future

Again, just my personal opinion, I realize every situation is different...

On the surface your argument makes sense, but look beneath a layer or two and you'll realize that even by lifting the conditions we will LOSE the permanent residency when we live outside the USA for longer than a year. We would have to re-apply for the ENTIRE immigration process again if we want to live here in the future. So, for a somewhat struggling family of 6..throwing $700 odd dollars away on removing conditions for a period of 40 days in order to stay (in-status) seems ridiculous to say the least. I guess I'd rather fly international pregnant on my own with all the kids while my husband is deployed to avoid the penalty if there were one. We just don't have that kind of money to throw around, considering we've moved all these people over 2 continents 4 times in 2 years. It gets expensive!! The immigration Visa itself to move INTO Australia is going to cost $1300. Plus the cost of moving our entire household goods and flying us all back. ARGGGH!!

I do however appreciate everyone's 2cents I think I'll just call USCIS and ask them from the horses mouth. I'd hate to not be able to visit my lovely inlaws because of an overstay! LOL