From_CAN_2_US

Thank you that makes sense. I think I will read the text book for context and then focus mainly on the 100 questions.

Just an update, as per the Federal Register notice published today: "This notice is effective on September 18, 2025. USCIS will administer the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test to aliens who file their naturalization applications on or after October 20, 2025." https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/18/2025-18050/notice-of-implementation-of-2025-naturalization-civics-test I have a question @OldUser, I found this link on the official USCIS study material page to an 88 page PDF titled the 2025 USCIS study test guide. Is this something new or always there. I had assumed you just study the 100 questions. Do we also need to study this guide or is this part of the new version of the test. Edit - I noticed there is another pdf that looks at first glance the same, but titled USCIS Civics Test Text Book. Is this the one we who are not going to be administered the 2025 test required to study, or again, is it just the 100 questions?

Just looked at the unpublised Federal Register Notice again, and I think the new test will apply to people who file for citizenship 30 days after this federal notice is published. Since it is being published Sep 18, that would be for people who file on or after Oct 17... looks like @Babu Frik is right, it won't affect those of us who already filed.

Fabulous! Such a meaningful ceremony. I don't think this is the norm, and you certainly lucked out. Also love that you all went out to brunch after. Way to build community. Thanks for the update and Congratulations on becoming a citizen of the USA.

Looks like the Federal Register Notice will be published tomorrow and will furnish the cut-off date for application of this version of the test. As in it will be administered to applicants who filed after xxxx date.

Yeah this is actually a smart move. It is a win-win. Diversity category is maintained and still effectively "free" to apply. USCIS gets some decent funding to cover some of its costs in running the program.

I don't think the path to the green card makes any difference to the timeline of submission to interview schedule. It is when something that may affect eligibility is discovered at the interview that delays are encountered, and that can be for any path. Some people say that having an unapproved i751 can delay interview, but I have seen many cases with pending i751 getting interviews much faster than myself who has an approved i751.

Very true. You summed it up nicely. I think what helps me when I wait on these immigration things (lived in 5 counties, been through this a lot), is to focus on the fact that my case is NOT the outlier, and decide not to worry about it until it is. Harder said than done for sure. But it is what I tell myself whenever I reach a state of frustration or impatience or paranoia. Have you checked your API / JSON notes? That helped me bear through the wait. You may have already found this, but just incase, this is records of people with Newark office who update timeline on VJ. https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/citlist.php?op6=All&op7=Newark+NJ&op1=3&op2=d&op4=1&op5= Speaking of which, please do update your timeline as it helps others like yourself who are seeking data points. On the bright side, the more time passes, higher the likelihood your interview invite is around the corner. If I had do wager, I would say you will get yours around the 120 day mark. Wish you the best!

I understand it is a tough wait (I am just as impatient), but like @OldUser said, it is normal. Some people get interviews scheduled 2 weeks after applying, for others it takes 9 months or more...and while which field office you are with does play a role, it is still not FIFO. People who filed after you at the same field office may have interview and oath before you. While "clean cases" probably do get processed faster, the largest factor is just plain luck (probably based on which officer your case is assigned to and their case load. You can look at May, April filer threads, plenty of people there who are still waiting for interview, and they have clean cases too. So I wouldn't think anything is wrong. I would reserve the congressional enquiry route for a 9 month mark. For now, as hard as it is, you just really can wait. Also I know that NYC is REALLY slow, like 9+ months is normal there. I don't know about Newark, but being so close to NYC, and with such high population of immigrants, I would imagine it can't be much faster than NYC. So there is that additional factor for you.

Yeah it's all new territory. I am taking evidence of social events I attended, both family and friends. This includes invitations, text messages, photos. gifts exchanged etc. I am also taking affidavits from family and friends that describes my involvement in these activities including care-giving ones. Texts discussing care, doctors notes with you being mentioned as care giver, all could be evidence.

Glad everything went smoothly for you, and thanks for the update. It is useful for us future citizens. I didn't know you had to send the original naturalization certificate. That's unnerving.

@ebhopeful, I am seconding @OldUser. Uploading the document to the online portal won’t delay anything. In fact Attorney Jim Hacking recommends uploading any additional evidence to the online portal 10 days before the interview. In addition to uploading to the portal, the original document should be brought to the interview, incase the officer wants it.

I see. Thanks for updating us on what you learned. That's good information. Well I guess you can look forward to an interview invite in the near future.

Please see my post from last year:

It's the I-193 fee. Actually $695. It is a waiver for not having a valid green card in possession when entering. Like I said, there is a provision for CBP to apply this, and make you file the I-193, but in practice they don't, because they can see on the system that your 1-751 is approved, and you have valid status and most conclude it is not your fault you haven't received the card yet.

Like others have said, no one knows... The burden now is technically on the applicant to provide evidence of good moral character, not just the absence of anything negative. I have an interview on October 8 and my plan is to take with me evidence of good moral character, such as evidence of gainful employment, social ties in the community, gifts/ donations made, care-taking role for sick family members, continuing education, career advancement etc. I don't intend to produce it unless asked though.

Oh wow! Wonder if it is a permanent change of venue or this is a special ceremony. Looking forward to hearing how it goes. Congratulations again.

Congratulations! I've been following your case as we share the same FO. I was hoping we would have the same oath ceremony lol, but my interview is on October 8. Do let us know how your ceremony goes. Do you know the venue yet? Is is the Warren B Rudman US Courthouse at 55 Pleasant St in Concord?

Unfortunately the fact that it says DEN here doesn't necessarily mean it is at the local field office, just that DEN is the intended field office. Mine showed MAN even when it was at NBC. But I am optimistic yours has actually moved to DEN. You can chat with live agent on USCIS website and ask. Often they just say NBC, but ask a few agents until someone actually checks and tells you.

It is so interesting that it was updated on your 5 year anniversary. I think it is merely a coincidence, but I can't be sure. In any case, since this update was so much after your submission and there is no event associated with that date, I do think it is likely the date your file moved to field office. I think you might get interview scheduled very soon. FYI the IAF event is the receipt letter being sent and FTA0 is the security checks from biometrics.

Events are listed later in the notes. in any case, since this update was 3 months ago and you haven’t received interview, it is unlikely that it coincided with your file moving to field office as people generally get the interview soon after that happens. I willing to bet your case is still at NBC.

I see. Do you see any associated event in your JSON for May 19? For example one with event code FA01? If you could copy paste the full notes (censoring identifying info), that would be easier to interpret.

Last action on your case was on May 19. If you applied on that day or a few days before, that is likely the background check. Your file is likely still at NBC.

Not sure what you are asking. Cases always get transferred from NVC to embassy without any action from the applicant. This is normal. Are you saying it got transferred to the wrong embassy? Regarding scheduling of appointment, most consulates do that on their own. When cases are transferred from NVC to them, they are put in a queue. They then send interview invite in chronological order. Most consulates have a multiple month wait (some more than a year). You don’t book the appointment. In a select few consulates you do have to book it yourself, but you would informed by email, that you would have to do that. Your timeline here is a bit confusing, but if your embassy is Ghana, they you don’t book the appointment, the consulate schedules it.

Two chances is to pass the history and civics test, which I understand OP passed this time. I think the third interview is to continue to the security questions.