Timing on when to file N-400 if going out of the country?

[mamaronga 2]

Hi all,

I used the USCIS calculator and we are able to start filing for my husband's citizenship as early as Oct. 17, 2012 (his 3 year Green card anniversary is mid January 2013).

The trouble is, we were hoping to go to visit his family (out of the country) for a month mid December to mid January.

How soon after filing the form do the biometrics and interviews typically take? Is it pretty standard or can it vary? For those of you who have gone through this, would you just recommend filing after we get back from Ecuador, or do you think there would be a way to time it so we don't get in trouble having an interview scheduled while we're overseas?

Thanks so much for your advice and guidance,

Claire y Cris

[DrVS 10]

Timing varies greatly depending on where you live. It would be a good idea for your husband to file in mid January when he returns from the trip.

[H&V 5]

Yes, processing times vary greatly (check out the 'Immigration Timelines' tab above).

However, it is also worth bearing in mind you can reschedule biometrics, interview and oath if needed (although not indefinitely). I applied at the beginning of this month and have vacations planned in November and December - I'm well aware I may get called during one of those times but if so I hope to reschedule. I just wanted to get the ball rolling. User 'sashitaski' recently rescheduled their interview.

If it's easier for you, and you have no pressing reasons then you can wait, but you don't have to. You might need someone checking your mail for you though.

Timing varies greatly depending on where you live. It would be a good idea for your husband to file in mid January when he returns from the trip.

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

Wait till you get back. What's the hurry. I have a feeling that they look more closely at application sent in the day of or within a couple of days from the eligibility date. Before people start jumping on my back, that is my personal opinion, I have no proof. I just put myself in their shoes. If I were an IO, I would be curious why somebody wants citizenship so badly that they would send the form in so it arrives exactly on the day they become eligible. It's either suspicious or just #######-retentive.

[mamaronga 2]

Thanks for your comments everyone. We will probably just wait then, to not have the headache of rescheduling things and the worry of getting an appointment letter while we're gone.

Cheers!

[TBoneTX 45,291]

Yo, C-Bone!!!

Yep, wait, si man. Biometrics appointments come fairly rapidly.

[N M 96]

Wait till you get back. What's the hurry. I have a feeling that they look more closely at application sent in the day of or within a couple of days from the eligibility date. Before people start jumping on my back, that is my personal opinion, I have no proof. I just put myself in their shoes. If I were an IO, I would be curious why somebody wants citizenship so badly that they would send the form in so it arrives exactly on the day they become eligible. It's either suspicious or just #######-retentive.

They are two possibilities, but certainly not the only ones. It's far from the either/or situation you describe.

People who need Citizenship to progress their careers won't dawdle with their applications - is that suspicious, or #######-retentive, or just common sense? My money is on the latter.

Edited September 23, 2012 by N M