BostonChick

Hi guys,

I filed in January and have not heard anything after my biometrics in February. What's your situation?

Cheers,

Boston Chick

I hear'ya all. Can't wait to be done with Vermont et al...

Boston Chick

I think all this wait for the removal of conditions has made me decide to apply on my first day of eligibility - which is Jan 1, 2008! Knowing how slow Vermont is, God knows how long this will take!!! What about you, fellow forumers?

BostonChick

Heads-up, folks - I was just at my local district office this morning to get a passport stamp after my green card expired this past weekend. I will be traveling overseas next month and wanted to make sure I won't run into any problems at POE. The immigration officer explained that they no longer use stamps since the NOA letter extending my green card status should now be sufficient. Though I don't think this is true for all districts - aren't there some district ffices who do the stamp anyway?

So if you are thinking of going to the Government Center just for a stamp extneding your permanent resident status, save yourself the visit.

Other than that, VSC seems to be still in hibernation. I have not heard anyhting since my fingerprinting in February...

Best,

BostonChick

Hello,

For all the fellow "removers" out there - we are getting so close to citizenship! How long are you going to wait before you file for naturalization? I just submitted my I-751 paperwork last month and I already can't wait for the next step. I bet I am filing my N-400 paperwork on the first day of eligibility!

Boston Chick

Well, just a day after posting on the forum asking if Vermont is slow - I now have BOTH my NOA which extends employment and travel authorization for a year and the BIOMETRICS LETTER!! They arrived in the mail TODAY to mu utter pleasant surprise, ony after 2 weeks of submitting the package. My bio appointment is on 2/20.

So things are moving pretty quickly at Vermont nowadays - don't lose hope!

Boston Chick

I am only a couple of days ahead of you. Let's track progress and hope they move fast!

Boston Chick

Ok, I now I am impatient. It's been only a little over 2 weeks since VSC cashed my check. They cashed my check and I did get a receipt from them. I am awaiting the official NOA though, because that's the document that will extend my green card while they are processing my application, right? I am going to travel out of the country in May and hope this whole process won't be a problem...

What is your impression of Vermont I-751 processing time?

Have a great weekend!

Boston Chick

Velvettt, can you clarify the new rule, please? I wasn't aware. To the previous poster - thanks for sharing your letter. There are a couple of some really good points in it.

Boston Chick

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd contribute to the board by posting a sample cover letter. I have always used a cover letter when submitting a bunch of documents and have found that the recipient usually appreciates the effort. Obviously, you may think it doesn't add value to the application, but for those that do - here you go.

[sender's address here]

USCIS Vermont Service Center

75 Lower Welden Street

St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

January 5, 2007

Re: Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

Dear Sir (Madam),

Attached please find my petition to remove conditions on residence consisting of the following documentation:

• Form I-751

• Money order ($205)

• Two (2) passport photos

• Copy of green card

• Copy of passport

Additionally, please find enclosed the following documents as evidence of the relationship with my husband, [insert name]

• Joint checking account evidence

Bank letter

Bank statements (Month 1, Month 2)

• Joint savings account evidence

Bank statements (Month 1, Month 2)

• Joint tax filing status evidence

Official tax transcripts for Year 1 and Year 2

• Joint benefits evidence

401(k) plan beneficiary forms

Health insurance forms

• Joint residence evidence

Lease agreement

• Address change information

Form XYZ

• Family photos

Please do not hesitate to contact me, should you need any further evidence. I hope you will consider my petition favorably.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[name]

Encl.

Hello fellow forumers,

I am wondering about a couple of things

1) Does one has to be physically present in the US to submit their citizenship papers and all the way through the naturalization process? (i.e. apart from having to be here to do the fingerprinting, obviously)

2) Does one need to have spent X numbers of days/months in the US immediately preceding their application? (I had heard something like 90 continuous days in the US immediately preceding the mailing date...)

The situation is the following: I expect to be able to apply for naturalization next December. However, at the same time, I plan on starting a Masters degree abroad in September. I would like to find out if there are any problems with this timing - i.e. what do you think???

Thank you in advance!!!

Boston Chick

Wonderful to hear how fast things are moving for everybody. I am due to mail my removal papers on Dec 31 this year!!!

Boston Chick

Thank you, everyone, for your detailed replies! I appreciate it. I can't wait to be able to start my naturalization process - roughly one more year to go...

Boston Chick

Hello friends,

Trying to find out the earliest date when I can submit my naturalization application... Situation - married to a USC, permanent resident and counting the years. Understand the timeframe is 3 years, but remember reading somewhere I can get started 3 months BEFORE the completion of 3 years. Is this true?

Would appreciate it if you could share any info with me!

Thanks!!!

Thank you all for answering this for me and pointing to the relevant resources.

Hello everybody,

It's been a while since I last dealt with USCIS (thankfully!). We got married in 2004, I obtained my conditional green card in 2005 and am due to apply for removal of conditions at the end of this year.

I just read in this forum that USC spouses can apply for naturalization after having spent only 3 (as opposed to 5) years as permanent residents. So this got me thinking - do the 2 years in conditional residence count in this period? Because if they don't, that would equate the total time in waiting to become eligible for naturalization to 5 years for some couples.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated!

BostonChick

Hello everybody,

It's been a while since I last dealt with USCIS (thankfully!). We got married in 2004, I obtained my conditional green card in 2005 and am due to apply for removal of conditions at the end of this year.

I just read in this forum that USC spouses can apply for naturalization after having spent only 3 (as opposed to 5) years as permanent residents. So this got me thinking - do the 2 years in conditional residence count in this period? Because if they don't, that would equate the total time in waiting to become eligible for naturalization to 5 years for some couples.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated!

BostonChick