ManuFred

How long after your biometrics should u expect your letter for interview?

Do they USCIS update their system almost immediately you are done with your biometrics?

Updates are ussualy received within a few weeks from when you have your biometrics taken. However, nothing is written in stone if it comes to the timeframe.

Most commonly you'll receive an update "placed in line for interview scheduling" followed by another one saying "scheduled for an interview". The first one means it's up to your local office to schedule your appointment. The latter means they have scheduled it. The time between them could be as short as a few hours or as long as weeks.

Like for example:

6.) What is one right or freedom from the first amendment?

There are 5 answers listed on that questions but it asks only one answer - do I have to memorize all 5 answers or just one answer? (Is it possible the interviewer would ask more than what it asks on the study booklet?)

61.) Why did the colonists fight the British?

There are three answers on this question but it does not said give one or two - do I have to memorize all three answers or I will just choose one answer?

This is what I was initially bothered by too. Some questions are very specific about how many answers you need to give, others imply you need to know them all even though you can clearly tell they are just identical.

For example:

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

- American Indians

- Native Americans

One of the answers is actually flat out wrong:

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax returns?

- April 15

Last years (2010) due date wasn't april 15th 2011 but april 18th 2011. April 15th is the default due date but it doesn't always apply like last year.

So apparently USCIS asks 100 questions it considers to be important for potential Citizens to know the answer too but failed to provide the right answer. I read that USCIS doesn't share information with the IRS (they might not like each other) but this is something anyone could have looked into before putting it on. lol

Despite all this I will still answer this question with april 15th, if asked at interview.

Interesting, I did exactly the same, but I did not receive any kind of confirmation letter. Anyone else who did not want a new card but received a confirmation letter?

So you guys went in same week as when you became USC?

Interesting, I did exactly the same, but I did not receive any kind of confirmation letter. Anyone else who did not want a new card but received a confirmation letter?

Never mind, answer to this question already confirmed to be "yes".

Thanks...that is a relief! My brother had me worried that they may deny citizenship because he wouldn't be able to support himself...but that didn't make a lot of sense to me.

Don't worry about that. Income doesn't matter anymore. That part was checked in previous stages. Citizenship is more about meeting the filing requirements and honesty about the past and if that is acceptable to USCIS.

Well, I just received an email from USCIS, stating the following:

I guess that means they still want me to give them the arrest records while, in fact, I am not able to produce that document... in other words: I'm screwed for something that I didn't even know at the time that I was doing.... sigh

indeed, Official police records are not released to the public n the Netherlands. In fact people who have never been arrested don't even have one over there. Maybe you should obtain a testimony of moral character i.o.w. verklaring omtrent het gedrag'. I'm nit sure if that covers USCIS desire. otherwise contact foreign affairs to ask them if they can help.

We applied for citizenship in February and in March my husband lost his job (layoff). Is this going to affect our citizenship?

No, this is a change that accured after you filled. These kind of things are not always predictable. Discuss this with the IO at interview when going over employment history.

My GC might expires before I can take my Oath and I need to travel international the week of the expiration date. Is there such thing as getting a month extension on the GC?

Yes, they still do sometimes in the form of a sticker on the back of your GC. One of my relatives got his GC extended for six months at biometrics after applying for I-90. It would have been better for you to ask them to do this while getting your fingerprints taken for N-400. I'm not sure but since you're in the process for USC they probably do this at infopass for you as well.

You need a valid GC at all times and you also need to surrender a valid GC at oath so you need to get this fixed.

Hi folks,

I'm currently applying for USC through N-400 process. My interview letter states that proof of SSS registration should be brought to the interview. I know that I was not required to register as I entered US first time being 25 years old on a non-immigrant VISA which was valid till I was almost 27. I Left the US and reentered the US on K1 at age 28 therefore answering the "Have you registered with SSS" question on the N-400 with NO. It looks to me that the evidence of registration doesn't apply to me as I was not required and have not registered for SSS.

I found that there is a letter on SSS.gov which you can use for naturalization confirming registration or non registration with the SSS. Is this letter required for interview if not registered?

I don't remember where I read it, but if I'm not mistaken, they do specify a dress code for the oath ceremony. I remember reading no jeans and some other things. I don't know if they enforce it but better to look nice anyway. Especially when going to your interview. Business casual is fine.

I don't remember where I read it, but if I'm not mistaken, they do specify a dress code for the oath ceremony. I remember reading no jeans and some other things. I don't know if they enforce it but better to look nice anyway. Especially when going to your interview. Business casual is fine.

'Appropriate attire' was mentioned in the instructions I got with the interview letter. They just want to make sure people don't come in half naked. That sort of a thing.

Does early fingerprinting hurry the process up? My fingerprint is schedule for 4/30. not sure if getting them early would mean early interview? field office is philadelphia.

It might but it is really a matter of luck sometimes. I went early since I couldn't make it on the scheduled date and I was in line before the original Bio date.

Hello all,

My dates are definitely not close. I am not desperate to file close, I wanted to spend as much time as I can with my father and at the sametime do not wish to waste additional time for nothing.

I am including the latest response from my lawyer.

There is no requirement that you are in the US when it is filed, but you will want to be sure you have someone checking your mail for your appointment notices, as you must be in the US to have biometrics taken.

Correct but if you don't show up for biometrics or any other of the appointments later on, your case will be automatically put on hold for up to a year. Within this year you can request USCIS to resume your case so yes, definitely prefered to have someone looking at your mailbox but not strictly necessary. Any hold up will obviously cause a delay in your case.

(1) Absence from the United States:

(i) For continuous periods of between six (6) months and one (1) year. Absences from the United States for continuous periods of between six (6) months and one (1) year during the periods for which continuous residence is required under § 316.2(a)(3) and (a)(6) shall disrupt the continuity of such residence for purposes of this part unless the applicant can establish otherwise to the satisfaction of the Service. This finding remains valid even if the applicant did not apply for or otherwise request a nonresident classification for tax purposes, did not document an abandonment of lawful permanent resident status, and is still considered a lawful permanent resident under immigration laws. The types of documentation which may establish that the applicant did not dis rupt the continuity of his or her residence in the United States during an extended absence include, but are not limited to, evidence that during the absence: (Amended 9/24/93; 58 FR 49913)

(A) The applicant did not terminate his or her employment in the United States;

(B) The applicant's immediate family remained in the United States;

© The applicant retained full access to his or her United States abode; or

(D) The applicant did not obtain employment while abroad.

We only sent tax transcripts.

My wife took some other stuff to the interview, but wasn't asked for anything.

The impression I have is that at naturalization, all USCIS cares about is that you are still married.

Yeah, I think they are primarely focussed on eligibility and of course you not hidding things that might jeopardize that but you don't know exactly what the IO wants to see so it is always a gamble. Take some things that have your joint names on it. Could be things like an insurance card.

hello! i'm applying for citizenship next week, i stayed outside U.S. for more than 6 months. So, with N400 form should i need to submit Tax forms along with other requirements-green-card copy, two photographs and check-fee? pls. help

... and make sure you're eligible based on 5-year or 3-year rule as far as it comes to residence requirements. Was this a consecutive period of more than 180 days or have you gone a total of 180 since you became a resident?

The way I read it in the guide here and at the USCIS site is that 3 years of tax transcripts is sufficient for marriage related documentation. Did you add anything to this? Thanks.

Yes, it is. You might want to take some additional documents to interview.

This is what my lawyer said, which really doesn't answer my question. I will email her again

The requirements for citizenship include but are not limited to, maintaining continuous residence as LPR for a period of 5 years, and physical presence in the US for at least 30 months during this 5 year period of continuity. The statute also requires that you continue to meet the continuous residence requirement, and physical presence requirements between the date of filing and the taking of the oath, and not just at the time of filing.

So, if you were close to not fulfilling the continuous residency requirement, and/or the physical presence requirement at the time of filing, I would recommend you not leave the US between filing and the oath, since you need to meet the same elements at the time you take the oath.

However, as long as you will continue to be able to meet both the continuity of residence requirement, plus the physical presence requirement up until your oath is taken, travel should not be a problem.

The laywer advices you not to travel if it comes close to not fulfilling the continuous residency requirement and/or the physical presence requirement at the time of filing. However, if you think you meet those requirements, you can go. This is exactly what we have been telling you for free!

I guess you want someone to tell you you can file. Well guess what nobody is gonna tell you this, especially not a lawyer as they can be held responsible for the advice they give their clients. This is what we call CYA in this country.

I seriously don't get it why you are so desperate to file so soon.

This is the official information on the new bill. It also comes with a timeline and current status.

http://www.eerstekamer.nl/wetsvoorstel/33201_aanscherping_voorwaarden

Thanks, ManuFred. I've actually had my interview. Got my "Congratulations you are recommended for approval" letter with the box ticked off. So I was technically approved, pending supervisor approval. I got put in line for oath scheduling, then was sent the letter for oath date. I am guessing when you are put in line for oath is when you are technically "approved" for Naturalization, but it is still possible to be turned down right up until you take the oath and get your certificate in hand. I was just wondering when most people were thinking of changing their "Filed for status", that appears under your name on the left hand side when you post here on VJ.

I think I will be the same way, Ree. While I have no reason to not be approved and complete the oath ceremony on the day, but I guess I am a bit superstitious. And technically we really aren't approved until we go through the oath ceremony.

PS. I am hoping that Blessed is currently having her interview and will have good news shortly.

I think you're right, technically they can still deny you at this point but it must be for something that happened between the interview and the oath. Most of these things are under your control so you can be happy.

so lets just say my name before i got married was maria jones and when i got married I said to myself I would have my name as Maria jones-smith (smith is my spouse's last name), and got my GC and SS card with that name (first name maiden name- married name).

Is the interviewer still going to ask you if you "want to change your name"??

when i read peoples interview experiences and what they were asked, the name change is one of them,

so are there people here that have gotten married to a U.S citizen but still go by their maiden name on thie GC and SS card? - I am referring to an immigrant female getting married to a male U.S citizen and so that is why the interviewer asks if that person wants to change their name???

If you have already changed your name with the SS-office and USCIS before I don't see why you would answer this question with yes. My understanding is that this option is meant for people who want to change their name at naturalization not for people who have already done so.

Question for those of you whose office doesn't do same-day oath: When will you guys be switching your statuses to Naturalization (Approved)? When you are told you're recommended for approval at the interview? When you get the oath ceremony letter in hand? Or when you've taken the oath?

Good question! Unfortunately there isn't a straight answer to it. People have reported not receiving any online updates after interview even if they received them before.

So here is what I gathered regarding interview:

An IO might tell you you're recommended for approval which means that if it is up to him/her you're approved but it could still mean somebody else has to sign off on it or has to research your case. I have not heard of anybody being denied after this comment unless they did something they shouldn't have done in the following weeks. Some people have reported they were given a letter with a "congratulations" box checked on it others were confused about this box not being checked. Sometimes people are send home with a piece of paper listing additional paperwork to be submitted.

Maybe some of the folks who had an interview can tell us more about this.

Hello everyone,

It has been a while since I was here. I am preparing now for my citizenship and I have a question.

N-400 part 8 question G requires data about my Spouse(the US citizen) previous marriages.

Should the answer to the fields of this question be about her ex spouses (their names, statuses etc)?

I just want to make sure since it confuses me.

Thanks everyone and good Luck in your Journey.

Yes, you should fill out information on her ex-spouse(s).

Still is not too late,

Here is link

Request for Status Information Letter

fill out the form and send documents, it will take about 15 to 20 days. Don't worry.

This is one of the most bureaucratic things I have ever seen:

USCIS issues your VISA(s) and knows exactly what status you were on at what time. So for them it is very easy to determine if you were required to register with the SSS. In fact, it's even part of the civics test! Now it comes to citizenship they want a letter from the SSS to see your status but they on the other hand ask you information that needs to confirmed by USCIS. Really!, how stupid is that.

I understand that if one claimed to have registered, one needs to bring in evidence but how stupid is it that if you haven't registered because you were a non-resident you would have to proof that as well.

Anyone ever been in trouble for not bringing this piece of redundancy to the interview because I'm not planning on doing so? Certainly not part of the paperwork reduction act.

I am filling my N-400 form for Naturalization and i have a question regarding time spent outside of the United States for the past five years. I am a LPR married to a USC and so applying on the 3years continuous residence condition and i would like to know how to answer question part 7 A & B on the N-400 form where they ask for the number of days spent outside of the USA for the past five years and also the number of trips. So my question is: Do i only state the time spent since i became a LPR three years ago since i haven't lived here for up to five years and bearing in mind that i was only coming and going out of the USA as a visitor prior to applying for PR three years ago. It's a bit confusing how they state it in the form and so would appreciate any advice based on past experiences by you all. Thanks and waiting for your replies....

Nope, you just answer the questions like they are asked so question A and B are answered with amount and trips you took the last 5 years. The answer can be well over 500 days but that doesn't matter in your case.

Part C wants you to specify trips taken as a LPR so there you only specify the ones you took as a LPR.

I'm really not sure. I was of the assumption that everything is done at the Phoenix office, I didn't realise that there is one in Tuscon though.

Why the assumption that Tucson doesn't have an office? Tucson has an ASC for fingerprinting and also an DHS office for interviews. As a matter a fact I did a walk-in in Tucson as I was not able to keep my original appointment. They can't always do that but they were able to squeeze me in, is what they said.

Hello,

I just got my unconditional Green Card 3 weeks ago. I am happy that I closed this case but I already opened a new one 2 weeks ago when I filed for the N-400 Application. This is the good news but I am still waiting for my Finger Printing (Biometrics) appointment. The bad news is that my wife, who is a US citizen, wants to divorce me now and she filed the papers today. She even filed an Order Of Protection against me!!!

This problem started yesterday when she started a fight, pinching , kicking, and biting me. I had to leave the house for my safety. My wife has a history of fighting, lying, yelling and hurting people and this is largely related to the fact that she is mentally disabled. I have some of her records from the hospital indicating that she is mentally disabled and listing her mental health diagnosis. I have plenty of documentation showing that our marriage is genuine.

The last time I spoke with her I learned that she is not going to call the USICS on me but I don’t trust her. She has told me in the past that she will call and have me deported and her excuse is that I was not living with her!

I am willing to sign any papers if this is what she wants and move on with my life. I can honestly say that I have given my full commitment to making this marriage work and even being subjected to horrible conditions and physical harm.

I have 4 questions:

- What is going to happen to my N-400 Application?

- Can she really hurt my Immigration statue?

- Do I have to hire an Immigration lawyer?

- Do I hire a divorce lawyer?

Any help or advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

In case you go through divorce it is probably best to discuss the option of withdrawing the case with the interviewing IO. That way you lose 600 bucks but you will be able to re-apply in few years based on 5-year rule and you won't have to fill out you have been previously denied.

Will they re-evaluate I-751? In rare cases USCIS decides to reinvestigate. I read somewhere that they have 5 years to recall a decision. Your case might be somewhat suspicious to them since you just went through I-751 and ended up this mess weeks later after approval. Nobody knows if this is what they end up doing but the chances are definitely higher if they find you lying on the interview.