Weekends or after hours?

[deppeler 1]

Does the USCIS work after hours (8-5) or on weekends?

Has anyone every got a text/email about their N400 at these times?

[amykathleen2005 441]

I don't know about all applications, but there have been many approvals on off hours and weekends.

[deppeler 1]

I don't know about all applications, but there have been many approvals on off hours and weekends.

Ok, thanks, sounds encouraging, makes weekends not just 'dead' days....

[canadian_wife 1,829]

when we petitioned, we used to get e-mails on the weekends

Good luck

[Kathryn41 3,205]

it does appear that some USCIS staff work on weekends and after hours but it is hard to say who and when and where. What also happens is that the computer database system also seems to update after hours so sometimes work that is done during the day is actually logged into the system later on that night, When you receive a notice is not always a good indication of when someone in USCIS is working on a file.

With the N400 the only email responses you can reasonably expect is the NOA1 - notice that they have received it; the RFE notice - which is really their weird way of saying they have sent you a biometrics appointment letter; an indication that your application has been processed which means you will probably be receiving your interview notice and then a post-decision notice on the status update. Most N-400 applications don't get any in-depth review until you are actually there in the adjudicator's office for your interview when they go through your application in your presence. You will be asked to bring originals of any documents you submitted with the petition, and you may also receive another letter before the interview notice advising you of what other documents to bring. That is it - no other types of RFEs except the biometrics notice since they know they will be interviewing you and can see the documents at that time.

Now, I also want to add that when I submitted my N-400, the status update showed that they had received my petition - and that is the last update that showed and the last notice I received through email. I got my biometrics letter, my interview letter, and had taken my oath and the status update still read they had received the initial application! So, if you do get notices and updates, that is great - but if you don't, that doesn't mean that there is a problem either. If you go 30 days past the date you know it arrived at USCIS (because you sent it through a trackable delivery method, right? ) then you can call USCIS and ask them about the status of your petition. You should receive the NOA well before that time,and possibly even the Biometrics RFE notice.

Good luck!

Edited February 26, 2011 by Kathryn41

[deppeler 1]

when we petitioned, we used to get e-mails on the weekends

Good luck

Hope that's the case with N400's

[deppeler 1]

it does appear that some USCIS staff work on weekends and after hours but it is hard to say who and when and where. What also happens is that the computer database system also seems to update after hours so sometimes work that is done during the day is actually logged into the system later on that night, When you receive a notice is not always a good indication of when someone in USCIS is working on a file.

With the N400 the only email responses you can reasonably expect is the NOA1 - notice that they have received it; the RFE notice - which is really their weird way of saying they have sent you a biometrics appointment letter; an indication that your application has been processed which means you will probably be receiving your interview notice and then a post-decision notice on the status update. Most N-400 applications don't get any in-depth review until you are actually there in the adjudicator's office for your interview when they go through your application in your presence. You will be asked to bring originals of any documents you submitted with the petition, and you may also receive another letter before the interview notice advising you of what other documents to bring. That is it - no other types of RFEs except the biometrics notice since they know they will be interviewing you and can see the documents at that time.

Now, I also want to add that when I submitted my N-400, the status update showed that they had received my petition - and that is the last update that showed and the last notice I received through email. I got my biometrics letter, my interview letter, and had taken my oath and the status update still read they had received the initial application! So, if you do get notices and updates, that is great - but if you don't, that doesn't mean that there is a problem either. If you go 30 days past the date you know it arrived at USCIS (because you sent it through a trackable delivery method, right? ) then you can call USCIS and ask them about the status of your petition. You should receive the NOA well before that time,and possibly even the Biometrics RFE notice.

Good luck!

Thanks for the explanation, yes it got there, I sent it priority mail & delivery confirmation. Though went I sent it it first went the wrong way (missent!) I thought oh no...but it got there.

[deppeler 1]

At what point do you know your paperwork (that you sent) is complete? If they send the NOA1?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

At what point do you know your paperwork (that you sent) is complete? If they send the NOA1?

Basically, at the interview. Since they know they will be interviewing you they don't send out RFE's - at least I have not yet heard of an actual RFE being issued for a Naturalization application other than the one that is really the biometrics appointment.

Since the attachments for the N-400 are probably the fewest required for any application, go over what you have submitted, make sure you haven't missed anything, then be prepared to bring the originals of your copies submitted with you (marriage certificate, divorces/death certificates of previous spouses), tax transcripts, etc. and then supplement it with recent documents that show you are still married and have not been submitted previously to USCIS (utility bills, more financial documents from joint accounts, etc.). It is more than likely you won't even be asked to show any of these documents, but if you have them you know you will be able to provide them on the off chance you are asked.

If you have had any type of traffic run in that didn't require you to include any documentation with the petition (eg, speeding ticket, moving violation, etc.) bring the paperwork with you to show that you have paid whatever fine was involved, or have resolved the issue. While you don't have to provide the information with the petition a number of people have been asked to show the documentation at the interview. You do need to disclose that it has happened and is generally not a big issue - unless of course, you've managed to accumulate 500 parking tickets over the last 3 years . . . .

Before you receive your interview notice you may (or may not - there is no consistency with it ) also receive a coloured form providing a list of documents to bring with you to the interview.

At the interview, they will have your whole file right in front of them from the very first paperwork that was submitted so many years ago to the N-400 application. I know that my file took two huge file folders. The adjudicator didn't bother to go through anything other than my N-400 application and paperwork, checking off each item from her list to ensure everything was present and correct. (I had a feeling of perverse satisfaction in knowing they had to lug all of that weight around after all of the hoops they made us jump through and then approving my green card 3 weeks before our 2nd anniversary so that we needed to do the ROC after all. I made sure they had plenty of documentation - 4 year's worth - to prove the validity of our marriage - hence the humungous file!).

Anyway, just make sure you have everything that is requested for the interview and then use your common sense to bring additional evidence that shows you are still married and living together, and you will be fine.

Good luck.

Edited February 26, 2011 by Kathryn41

[deppeler 1]

Basically, at the interview. Since they know they will be interviewing you they don't send out RFE's - at least I have not yet heard of an actual RFE being issued for a Naturalization application other than the one that is really the biometrics appointment.

Since the attachments for the N-400 are probably the fewest required for any application, go over what you have submitted, make sure you haven't missed anything, then be prepared to bring the originals of your copies submitted with you (marriage certificate, divorces/death certificates of previous spouses), tax transcripts, etc. and then supplement it with recent documents that show you are still married and have not been submitted previously to USCIS (utility bills, more financial documents from joint accounts, etc.). It is more than likely you won't even be asked to show any of these documents, but if you have them you know you will be able to provide them on the off chance you are asked.

If you have had any type of traffic run in that didn't require you to include any documentation with the petition (eg, speeding ticket, moving violation, etc.) bring the paperwork with you to show that you have paid whatever fine was involved, or have resolved the issue. While you don't have to provide the information with the petition a number of people have been asked to show the documentation at the interview. You do need to disclose that it has happened and is generally not a big issue - unless of course, you've managed to accumulate 500 parking tickets over the last 3 years . . . .

Before you receive your interview notice you may (or may not - there is no consistency with it ) also receive a coloured form providing a list of documents to bring with you to the interview.

At the interview, they will have your whole file right in front of them from the very first paperwork that was submitted so many years ago to the N-400 application. I know that my file took two huge file folders. The adjudicator didn't bother to go through anything other than my N-400 application and paperwork, checking off each item from her list to ensure everything was present and correct. (I had a feeling of perverse satisfaction in knowing they had to lug all of that weight around after all of the hoops they made us jump through and then approving my green card 3 weeks before our 2nd anniversary so that we needed to do the ROC after all. I made sure they had plenty of documentation - 4 year's worth - to prove the validity of our marriage - hence the humungous file!).

Anyway, just make sure you have everything that is requested for the interview and then use your common sense to bring additional evidence that shows you are still married and living together, and you will be fine.

Good luck.

I'm actually filing on the basis of 5 years, so I won't require the still married stuff even though that's how I came K-1 (and still married). I haven't traveled outside the USA since being here 10 years so I shouldn't need Tax Transcripts. Just had to send a divorce decree from a previous marriage in Oz, so that should be all I need to bring (I hope) & regular docs, GC etc.

Edited February 26, 2011 by deppeler