Traveling during n-400 process

[Anna C. 4]

Is it advisable? I will file within the next two weeks and I just found a great deal to fly home all of February to see my parents, and they can finally meet our newest addition that way (she's 8 months old now). Is it problematic to travel during a pending N-400? What if they want to schedule an interview then? Is that a bad idea? Can I reschedule if I had to?

[Chris921 13]

i am pretty sure you could reschedule the interview yes, and there shouldn't be any problems travelling during the n400 process,

[v333k 59]

the answer to all your questions is YES!!!

you can travel

you can reschedule...

remember that you need to do fingerprints between the time you apply and the interview....

[jkelly07 120]

from start to finish the n-400 is about 4 to 5 months.if no problems,

[olivier 0]

It took 3 months for my wife to become a usc.So be careful while you are away not to miss the biometrics notice and interview.Rescheduling must have an impact on the lenght of the process.

[CoffeeBeans 1]

Is it advisable? I will file within the next two weeks and I just found a great deal to fly home all of February to see my parents, and they can finally meet our newest addition that way (she's 8 months old now). Is it problematic to travel during a pending N-400? What if they want to schedule an interview then? Is that a bad idea? Can I reschedule if I had to?

You can travel and reschedule appointments if you want/must. USCIS appointment (eg. biometric, interview) letters specifically say "Rescheduling your appointment will delay your application". The delay can be significant or insignificant depending on where you file your application, some field offices take longer time than the others to complete their cases.

Another point about re-scheduling, a level one USCIS officer once told me one has to be in US to re-schedule any N-400 appointment in person. I am not sure how true her statement is : For examples - doesn't one need to write to USCIS to request a re-scheduling ? Don't applicants who use attorneys have theirs to complete the leg work including re-scheduling any appointment ? If so, her statement is not totally true, unless she was referring to DIY cases who have no one to take care of USCIS correspondence for them while they are abroad traveling during their N-400 processing.

Anyway, if you are not in a hurry to complete your N-400 application, any delay resulting from a re-scheduling should not be an issue to you, right ?

Cheers

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You should be done by February. But if you are not done, then it's only the Oath that needs to be taken, and that one you can reschedule easily.

So I'd suggest you go for it right away.

Hey, tell me about the "good deal." I like good deals but $790 for a ticket isn't good enough for me. I'm poor.

[Anna C. 4]

Thanks for your replies! I'm not in a hurry at all, but I'll weigh my options! My husband's Air Force so I guess I have to file in Nebraska, at least that is how we understand their wording.

Yeah flights have gotten pricey, and with 2 children, I only fly direct (never again a layover!!!). $960 per person is our good deal for a direct flight - usually the flights run $1300-$1500 per person... So this is a deal! When I lived in CA it was so much cheaper. SFO was dirt cheap to Frankfurt - only $600-$800 per ticket, direct flight!

[nwctzn 55]

Thanks for your replies! I'm not in a hurry at all, but I'll weigh my options! My husband's Air Force so I guess I have to file in Nebraska, at least that is how we understand their wording.

Yeah flights have gotten pricey, and with 2 children, I only fly direct (never again a layover!!!). $960 per person is our good deal for a direct flight - usually the flights run $1300-$1500 per person... So this is a deal! When I lived in CA it was so much cheaper. SFO was dirt cheap to Frankfurt - only $600-$800 per ticket, direct flight!

In case you file for N400 and then travel, make a note of your travel dates and make sure to update your travel information on your N400 form with the interviewing officer during your interview.

When travelling, make also sure that someone is checking your mail so that you do not miss any important USCIS mail.

One more note: I heard that re-scheduling an interview is not an issue but at many local USCIS offices it usually causes significant delay in getting a new date and hence, your approval might get delayed by a significant time.

Edited October 3, 2011 by nwctzn

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Yeah flights have gotten pricey, and with 2 children, I only fly direct (never again a layover!!!). $960 per person is our good deal for a direct flight - usually the flights run $1300-$1500 per person...

Wow. That's thousands on tickets alone. I'm getting goosebumps.

Are you done with your Beibehaltungsbescheinigung?

[Anna C. 4]

Yes, my Beibehaltungsgenehmigung was approved in August (took 8 weeks and 255 Euros plus $36 for Fedex fees). It was quick.

And yes, flying with kids is not only exhausting, but also expensive. There are no discounts, my 3 year old pays the same per ticket as an adult. It stinks! I might travel later though, Lufthansa has those deals occasionally. I'm toying with the idea of asking my parents to come to us instead and use this ticket price. I'd even pay them to come as I don't like dealing with delays necessarily. Though DH would stay at home and hence could check mail... Decisions, decisions..