Interview experience in San Francisco, CA

[Mi & Mo 1]

I had my interview today in San Francisco.

That particular USCIS office is known for being crowded and having rude employees. I got there 20 minutes before my scheduled appointment and I was afraid that it would take a long time to check-in. Surprisingly, I don't know if most people were still in holiday mode but everybody was in a good mood and the building was empty today. There were no lines to go through security, no lines to check-in and the officer who interviewed me called me in less than 5 minutes.

Interview went smoothly and the IO was a very nice guy. After placing me under oath, he asked for my greencard, passports and driver's license. Then he went through my application and at the same time he asked questions about my background, my spouse, family etc. He took notes of everything. We basically chatted and joked for about 10 minutes but I could tell that by asking those questions he was checking if my citizenship application was based on a real marriage (and probably evaluating my ability to understand and speak English -- LOL!).

Then we went through the civic questions:

1. What is freedom of religion?

2. Name one state that borders Canada.

3. What ocean is on the East Coast to the United States?

4. How many U.S. Senators are there?

5. When was the Constitution written?

6. When must all men register for the Selective Service?

I can't remember the sentence I read and I think that I had to write "People pay for taxes" or something like that.

At the end of the interview the IO told me that I passed the test and asked me to sign some documents. Because my greencard 3rd anniversary is only next week, he explained that they'll hold my application for a couple of days before they recommend it for approval. He told me that they'll schedule the oath ceremony for the end of the month or beginning of Feb. That's all right because even if my greencard were already 3 years-old, I knew that nobody takes the oath ceremony on the same day of the interview at the San Francisco office; in fact, the ceremony only takes place every other week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA.

Overall, my interview experience was easy and relaxed. The officer was really friendly and during the interview he was giving me advice about babies, trips and real state. I guess he wasn't in a hurry today! The whole thing took about 20 minutes.

According to USCIS website, 94% of the applicants are approved. The questions are quite simple. If you read and study the test book, you don't even have to think to answer the questions.

Good luck to you all.

[vett 6]

congratulations on your success!

[Sand 5]

Congrats, And thank you very Much,

[OBX 51]

Congratulations and thanks for the review.

[nyhazmat 2]

Congrats. . .

[safroot 1]

Thanks Mi & Mo for the detailed experience and you definitely answered my question. I hope you get the Oath letter soon.

[aleful 1,905]

I had my interview today in San Francisco.

That particular USCIS office is known for being crowded and having rude employees. I got there 20 minutes before my scheduled appointment and I was afraid that it would take a long time to check-in. Surprisingly, I don't know if most people were still in holiday mode but everybody was in a good mood and the building was empty today. There were no lines to go through security, no lines to check-in and the officer who interviewed me called me in less than 5 minutes.

Interview went smoothly and the IO was a very nice guy. After placing me under oath, he asked for my greencard, passports and driver's license. Then he went through my application and at the same time he asked questions about my background, my spouse, family etc. He took notes of everything. We basically chatted and joked for about 10 minutes but I could tell that by asking those questions he was checking if my citizenship application was based on a real marriage (and probably evaluating my ability to understand and speak English -- LOL!).

Then we went through the civic questions:

1. What is freedom of religion?

2. Name one state that borders Canada.

3. What ocean is on the East Coast to the United States?

4. How many U.S. Senators are there?

5. When was the Constitution written?

6. When must all men register for the Selective Service?

I can't remember the sentence I read and I think that I had to write "People pay for taxes" or something like that.

At the end of the interview the IO told me that I passed the test and asked me to sign some documents. Because my greencard 3rd anniversary is only next week, he explained that they'll hold my application for a couple of days before they recommend it for approval. He told me that they'll schedule the oath ceremony for the end of the month or beginning of Feb. That's all right because even if my greencard were already 3 years-old, I knew that nobody takes the oath ceremony on the same day of the interview at the San Francisco office; in fact, the ceremony only takes place every other week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA.

Overall, my interview experience was easy and relaxed. The officer was really friendly and during the interview he was giving me advice about babies, trips and real state. I guess he wasn't in a hurry today! The whole thing took about 20 minutes.

According to USCIS website, 94% of the applicants are approved. The questions are quite simple. If you read and study the test book, you don't even have to think to answer the questions.

Good luck to you all.

congrats and I'm glad you had a nice experience!!!!!

[ellsworth78 0]

Congratulations! I had my interview at the San Fransisco office a week after yours!! It was a breeze too!