oneoftheunderdogs

21 minutes ago, dcdc90006 said:

Hi guys, first time in this forum!

 

I applied my naturalization on May 3 using mail because my lawyer insisted doing it due to tracking purposes. I received my receipt notice and account number on May 10th so I added the case online.

Since the receipt, there hasn't been any updates, no biometrics reuse or biometrics scheduled, just "Case Was Received And A Receipt Notice Was Sent" 

From what I've seen, if you apply through online it becomes "actively reviewing" and get result on rather to reuse biometric or not within same day. Is this true?

Not sure if this is normal procedure for mailed applicant, anyone had or seen experiences like this?

Welcome!

There are various VJers reporting instant biometrics reuse notifications when filing their N-400 online. But there are also a not insignificant number of them who do not get one right away/at all. It all depends. On what? No idea.

1 hour ago, cooleynata said:

Hi everyone, 

 

I will be applying for citizenship (N-400) online while I-751 is still pending. For reference, I filed all my previous applications (including I-751) by mailing all the forms and papers rather than online. 

 

When I logged into my USCIS account (which I think USCIS created after I filed I-751 to check on its status), I noticed that USCIS scanned only a portion of my I-751 application (titled part 1) there are no other parts scanned in. Is this something I should be concerned about? Did they lose the other documents I submitted with I-751? 

 

I'm still planning to resubmit some of the documents which were submitted with I-751 and that appear online on USCIS, but let me know if you there might not be any need to submit them because USCIS already can view these. 

 

Thanks in advance! 

Perfectly normal, nothing to worry about.

I am assuming you are applying under the 3 year rule? I would upload as much marital evidence as possible to build the strongest possible N-400 case, even if you have submitted all that with the I-751. The N-400 is a standalone application and I would treat it as such.

3 minutes ago, ST_RO said:

Is anyone else having an issue with their USCIS account not showing the N400 case? I just logged in and see all my previous filings, but my N400 is just...gone. I logged out, logged back in, still not there. 

When I enter my receipt number in the general USCIS case status online check, it pulls up, just not in my USCIS account.

 

I'll try again tomorrow, but was just wondering if anyone else is having this issue.

XO

Both my I-751 and my N-400 are gone, too! I've read elsewhere in the forum that this happened to some folks. In those cases everything returned to normal a day or so later.

2 minutes ago, taximan683 said:

I was joking about the fee I paid for the I 751 since it looks like my wife will pass the citizenship interview first. It appears though that it will be adjudicated at the same interview.

Ha gotcha! Yes it would be nice if they did that. Good luck for your interview!

21 minutes ago, taximan683 said:

 

I don't believe this is true. The N-400 interview approval makes the I 751 moot. I believe a combo interview is the option USCIS can choose for whatever reason they have. If you get through the N-400 interview and are approved then take the oath, you are done. Am I wrong? Citizenship doesn't depend on having your restrictions removed from your green card. If anyone knows different, I'd like to hear about it. I'd like to get that fee back as well, but I know that won't happen.

You are wrong, see Section E here: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-6-part-i-chapter-3. This is the general case. For exceptions, see here: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-g-chapter-5.

Why do you want USCIS to refund your fee?

16 minutes ago, top_secret said:

Rumor has it that cases filed online get IOE9 numbers, and cases filed on paper that have been scanned for electronic processing get IOE09 numbers.  IOE09 numbers are sequential so they are super easy for a website like casestatusext to scrape.  IOE9 numbers are randomized and therefore very difficult to scrape and are not represented oncasestatusext.

Thanks so much for the explanation, that makes a lot of sense!

52 minutes ago, Caitlin Kennedy said:

Thanks! I already did, so it is what it is. So all my friends who didnt mention it, but got citizenship approved, will have to deal with it later?

No, their citizenship could have only been approved after their I-751 was approved. Again, the approval of your I-751 does not depend on you reminding USCIS that you have a petition pending, but it might help you avoid delays.

14 minutes ago, Caitlin Kennedy said:

what im trying to say is i have two friends who just went through on the interview (this month), applied on 3 year rule, and didnt mention combo interview - therefore, didnt bring any evidence other than what is on the 400 list. I would predict most people apply for citizenship asap in the 3 year rule, and i was advised to do the combo knowing the estimated approval is spring 2025. my husbands interview is scheduled so we didnt get any RFE's and we never have. you mean RFE's on the 751- and they would tell us in person? my friend went this month in chicago without her husband and she was completely fine. i guess it depends on city/person interviewing. Sounds like just asking for citizenship and not the combo interview would have been better.

I believe the thinking here is that the N-400 CANNOT be approved without the I-751 being approved, and reminding USCIS that an I-751 petition is pending could save you some time in the end by doing it both during the N-400 interview. Ultimately USCIS will do what USCIS does, but I don't think you have anything to lose if you mention it in your cover letter. You do you, obviously.

15 minutes ago, DPP123 said:

Hello, we are likely filing this month.  I have gathered everything and filled out the form.  Did you guys send photos?  If so, how many?  

 

I am also concerned about filing and getting a biometrics appointment while we are away.  We are going on vacation for three weeks.  I doubt they would give us an appt so soon but my luck, they will!  

I did not add any photos, because I felt I had sufficient other evidence. I you think it will benefit your case, go for it!

When did you get your green card? Though not guaranteed, if you are filing under the three year rule, it's possible that USCIS will reuse your biometrics from when you gave them for your GC. Did you have to file for removal of conditions, and did they reuse biometrics then?

2 hours ago, NorthByNorthwest said:

 

Not sure where you saw numbers starting with IOE09 - my case from over a year ago started with IOE922 so yours seem to fit the pattern just fine.

Huh, interesting! I guess I just went by what casestatusext says, and all their N-400 cases start with IOE09... Thank you!

Hi all, just filed my n400 online and received a receipt number starting with IOE978. I've only seen receipt numbers starting with IOE09, so I was wondering if anyone else got the same one and what it means?

Thanks

... and received biometrics reuse notice about 30 mins later!

I just filed my N-400 online! LPR 3yr anniversary is 7/29/24, local office is Anchorage, AK.

1 hour ago, Brit_C said:

I had my ceremony at the Sox Stadium this week. It was pure bliss 😊 

 

 

Visa Journey has been instrumental for me since I started this in 2017. Doing it all by myself. 

I came as a 90 day fiance, divorced, battled breast cancer and still pushed through! 

 

Thank you to this whole community. 

 

🇬🇧 to the 🇺🇸 

 

That is SO cool!! Although I was hoping it would be the Red Sox Congratulations!

2 minutes ago, JenD said:

Thanks! He as able to make the payment today. 🙂

Great! I am filing this weekend so I (selfishly) hope everything will be back to normal by then!

1 hour ago, JenD said:

My husband has filled out the online form and tried to submit, but keeps getting error messages trying to make the payment. Anyone else un into this?

I've read about people having issues on  multiple forum, apparently there is some system maintenance going on. See here:

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/821063-n400-payment-issues/?do=findComment&comment=10976327

44 minutes ago, SuninLA said:

Does one have to request to be interviewed for both (I-751 & N-400)? I figured USCIS would do that automatically since I don't qualify for citizenship unless my I-751 got approved.

It's certainly not mandatory. Different VJ'ers had different experiences either requesting one or not. It can't hurt to attach a letter to your application pointing out to the officer that you have an I-751 pending...

25 minutes ago, ccass410 said:

Checking in to share my timeline

 

Applied: March 13th

interview notice: May 9th

interview date: June 26th

 

Albany field office 

green card application is still pending. I didn’t request a joint interview for both. Did anyone request this after their n400 interview was scheduled? 

When is your 3-yr anniversary?

1 hour ago, dave2 said:

@oneoftheunderdogs Ok wow I saw your original post and it is the same issue. So it's not just me. Are you still planning to file online?

yes I will be filing online.

I have encountered a similar glitch as well. I have not been able to resolve it. I don't think it matters whether you fill it out by hand or not. Also should have no effect on your I-751

4 minutes ago, Sgtn9486 said:

I thought it was $85 aside from the $710 for the application 

The $710 for the N-400 online filing includes the non-refundable biometric fee, whether you end up needing to go in for biometrics or not.

8 minutes ago, Sgtn9486 said:

We only filled the N400. The biometrics fee would’ve been paid the day of your appointment if biometrics were needed.

First I've heard of that. As far as I know, fees are due at the time of filing.

11 hours ago, tucson-laramie said:

There is some really bad info in this thread. Let my story be a warning to you.
I applied on March 30 in Tucson, and unexpectedly received my interview notice for May 14 on April 12. Six weeks before the law goes into effect. You also cannot CHOOSE when you take your oath; you have to explain in writing if you will miss the ceremony. And what if they do same day? You just say "No, I'm good"??

 

Now I really wish I had waited with the application some more. The average posted processing time for Tucson then and today is 7 months, why they approved mine in less than two weeks ... who knows. Now I am scrambling to have it postponed.

Don't know what info you are referring to, but just because you didn't wait long enough does not make it "bad".

12 hours ago, MunnoTheCat said:

 

Try "USCIS civis test study tools" one from USCIS dept of homeland security. Don't try to memorize the answers as you will get nervous again and will eventually be lost in a thin air. Your problem is not English but when the IO looks at you and ask the question you try to shake your head for the answers because you have a tendency to get nervous. Don't do that. Go through all the questions as it is a story to you. Who's the president and his cabinet, and congress, senate. US flag has a name "star spangled banner" like everyone else has one. constitution is all about laws and no one is above the law. There are 27 bill of rights which is also called 27 amendments. 1776 declaration of independence written by Thomas Jefferson (don't forget this name as he is one of the founding fathers). Exactly eleven years later meaning in 1787, constitution was written by founding fathers. When we say who's the father of our country, that's George Washington, so if he's the father, he had to be the first president and matter of fact he was. Do you see the pattern here. now go ahead download the app and have fun. I am sure you will ace the civic test this time. By the way, IO only asks 5 questions the max and don't feel you are ready, you got to be ready 100% Good luck!!!!!

This is a great way to do it! But there is only one Bill of Rights and it comprises the first 10 amendments to the constitutions, and the IO will likely ask at least 6 questions ; )

14 hours ago, californiabear said:

I'm a little hesitant to file N400 before 26.06 tbh. I reached out to the German embassy and they told me to hold off with starting my application until the date the law goes into effect. There was no particular reason given but I try to play it safe and wait with my application until June 26th.

 

What do you guys think? I know lots of people say it will not be an issue as long as you didn't attend the Oath Ceremony before the 26th. But hearing the embassy's opinion I'm not so sure anymore.

Who knows why the German embassy recommends waiting until the 6/26. as long as you don't take the oath before then you will be fine. I am eligible on May 1 and planning on filing my N-400 on 5/26, because my field office has been known to process applications quickly.

Hi all,

just filling out the new N-400 version in anticipation of filing for citizenship next month. I am planning on filing online but I am anxious to get this started so here we are. I have noticed that there seems to be some weird dependency between Part 5. 4d and Part 10. 1 when filling out the form in Acrobat Reader. It seems that both answers can only be the same, either both yes or both no. This might just be the case for me, but I thought I'd mention it. So, if you are filing by mail, your spouse lives at the same address as you, AND you make more than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, or vice versa, triple check your answers!