Are there travel restrictions after filing N-400 ?

[The New Guy 0]

Hello,

I filed my marriage based N-400 on April 29th this year in California, later we moved to Virginia (July 1st) after I finished my school, and changed my address with the USCIS immediately. Few days after I arrived here I received a notice to appear for an initial interview in San Francisco, the funny thing is that this notice was sent to my new address in Virginia. When I called the 800 number the lady on the phone started saying how I should have "committed" to the location I filed my application in for 90 days or so. I could swear I've read the N-400 instructions several times, I didn't find anything about this commitment, I had to move for a job, was there any thing wrong with what I did? I already contacted both CA & VA field offices in writing, and I'm still waiting to hear from them. What do you think will happen next?

[moonhunt 1]

Hello,

I filed my marriage based N-400 on April 29th this year in California, later we moved to Virginia (July 1st) after I finished my school, and changed my address with the USCIS immediately. Few days after I arrived here I received a notice to appear for an initial interview in San Francisco, the funny thing is that this notice was sent to my new address in Virginia. When I called the 800 number the lady on the phone started saying how I should have "committed" to the location I filed my application in for 90 days or so. I could swear I've read the N-400 instructions several times, I didn't find anything about this commitment, I had to move for a job, was there any thing wrong with what I did? I already contacted both CA & VA field offices in writing, and I'm still waiting to hear from them. What do you think will happen next?

I think she is talking about 3 month residency requirement in US CIS district or state.

N-400 instruction mentioned M-476 to check further eligibility.

If you check M-476, you can find it at page 19 (actually page 22 from PDF version).

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

Basically you should live the address within same District office or same state for 90 days before application/interview/oath date.

I believe this will ensure that people is not hovering the place to search for fast processing DO to get N400 done quickly.

[moonhunt 1]

Hello,

I filed my marriage based N-400 on April 29th this year in California, later we moved to Virginia (July 1st) after I finished my school, and changed my address with the USCIS immediately. Few days after I arrived here I received a notice to appear for an initial interview in San Francisco, the funny thing is that this notice was sent to my new address in Virginia. When I called the 800 number the lady on the phone started saying how I should have "committed" to the location I filed my application in for 90 days or so. I could swear I've read the N-400 instructions several times, I didn't find anything about this commitment, I had to move for a job, was there any thing wrong with what I did? I already contacted both CA & VA field offices in writing, and I'm still waiting to hear from them. What do you think will happen next?

Probably best thing you could do is writing the letter to interview office or USCIS to postpone interview date, and ask to transfer the case to your new District Office in Virginia.

It will take about a couple of months, so when you have interview from new VA District Office, you can meet 90 day resicency requirement for DO.

Otherwise, if you go to interview in CA DO, your case may be rejected based on 90 days residency requirement for DO.

All those requirements should be met when you apply for N400, have interview, and have oath ceremony.

Also, this is NOT "travel" restriction.

This is more about "residency" restriction. ^^

[The New Guy 0]

Hello,

I filed my marriage based N-400 on April 29th this year in California, later we moved to Virginia (July 1st) after I finished my school, and changed my address with the USCIS immediately. Few days after I arrived here I received a notice to appear for an initial interview in San Francisco, the funny thing is that this notice was sent to my new address in Virginia. When I called the 800 number the lady on the phone started saying how I should have "committed" to the location I filed my application in for 90 days or so. I could swear I've read the N-400 instructions several times, I didn't find anything about this commitment, I had to move for a job, was there any thing wrong with what I did? I already contacted both CA & VA field offices in writing, and I'm still waiting to hear from them. What do you think will happen next?

I think she is talking about 3 month residency requirement in US CIS district or state.

N-400 instruction mentioned M-476 to check further eligibility.

If you check M-476, you can find it at page 19 (actually page 22 from PDF version).

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

Basically you should live the address within same District office or same state for 90 days before application/interview/oath date.

I believe this will ensure that people is not hovering the place to search for fast processing DO to get N400 done quickly.

But at the time I filed my application I was in California for almost 2 years, the lady I spoke to was talking about 90 days "after" filing the application.

[moonhunt 1]

But at the time I filed my application I was in California for almost 2 years, the lady I spoke to was talking about 90 days "after" filing the application.

It must be mis-spoken. But you have to meet 90days residency from same District Office area when you apply, interview, AND do oath at ceremony.

So since you moved to different state during the process, it may give hard time when you do interview with interview officer to proven either whether you are still living in California when you interview from CA District office, or whether you meet 90 days residency from Virginia state when you interview from Virginia DO.