NEED HELP expediting naturalization.

[RACHELinJAPAN 1]

Ahhh, ok got confused. Post looked like the discussion was about naturalizing.

THank you.

I was asking about EITHER naturalizing OR renewing and which one is faster or more likely to happen in this situation.

Like I said, I've alwasy just thought I'd renew. But this recent job has meant I will now be in Japan a lot next year with no real time to wait for biometrics, swearing in, USCIS meetings etc. So I was trying to get everything done right now.

The man at USCIS mentioned I might be able to naturalize in 3 months if I ask for an expedited case. But during several other calls to USCIS, several operator mentioned they never saw expedited cases go through.

I am happy enough to wait around and see what happens and put is down to an interesting experience, one to rack up against the grand order of how badly things in America are run. but I don't really have the luxury of that now. I just want to be legal and without hesitation when I come back next December ( 2013). Thanks for reply.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Have you seen if you can renew at the Embassy or Consulate of the country you will be working in while overseas? You could file the I-90 now and see if it is accepted. If not, then you will have to wait until 6 months before the GC "expires" and make a special trip back for the bio appointment or see about renewing it while you are overseas.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited October 7, 2012 by Dave&Roza

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I have a green card which expires in 11 months (so Sept). Next year I have a job overseas from January to December ( it is 11 months, basically). I cannot renew my card til march.

1. Can I renew it now, or do most of the sites tell the truth- that you can only renew 6 months or less ahead of time?

6 months or less per the I-90 instructions here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-90instr.pdf page 3, letter F.

2. Can I request a later date for biolmetrics once my case is up and running ? ( By way of a phone call or a letter, with documented proof to explain why?)

Yes. This is often risky because if something goes wrong with the change of appt date (which it sometimes does) you are out of the country and unable to enter to "fix it".

3. The man last night at USCIS, told me that naturalization may be the best bet- but to do it now and ask to expedite it. I have been on the phone all day to other people at USCIS asking if this is a good idea, does it work etc? Does anyone know if my letter asking for expedited case, along with the I400 forms, will actually be read, or if I still have to wait for the receipt of the I400 form to see if the case is expedited?

You are leaving in around 3 months. I highly doubt you can finish the process in that time and you're right that if you aren't there to finish the process then you're SOL. You have a DEFINITE interview for USC, as well as biometrics and oath ceremony. no interview for I-90 though.

So you will be overseas over your exact renewal period. Thing is, your status doesn't expire, you just won't have proof of status without renewing it. I suggest finding out if you can get a GC stamp in your passport at the overseas consulate when your card expires, then once you've reentered the US in December, apply for a renewal.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You cannot get an infopass appointment without having started a case.

No case no appointment.

To make a case, you need to pay for a file. Eithe naturalization or green card renewal.

Everybody is stating such obvious things, but I appreciate you thought about it.

Thanks. Again, you can only make an infopass appointment once you have a case number- ie you have to start a case, pay for it and get the receipt number.

I understand the expiration doesn't mean the card is dead, but I'd rather not be in Japan for months on end worrying about it at night.

As it is, I've been anxious and depressed a week over this. I just want it over!

Than kyou.

No you don't need an active case to make an appointment. Who told you that? Try making an appointment and you'll see: https://infopass.uscis.gov

[RACHELinJAPAN 1]

Have you seen if you can renew at the Embassy or Consulate of the country you will be working in while overseas? You could file the I-90 now and see if it is accepted. If not, then you will have to wait until 6 months before the GC "expires" and make a special trip back for the bio appointment or see about renewing it while you are overseas.

Good luck,

Dave

I've called the USA consulate in Tokyo and they were useless to be honest. I cannot make a special trip back to renew it- and anyway, what would this special trip be- you don't just do it in one day!

I think once I'm there, going to the consulate myself with a set of tears in tow and a desparate look in my eyes may be a different matter, but I remain rather shocked at the amount of ###### information there is for a bona fide person with tax paying history

to simply get a renewed GC without hassle. I may have to just file the i 90 and see, like you said.

[RACHELinJAPAN 1]

No you don't need an active case to make an appointment. Who told you that? Try making an appointment and you'll see: https://infopass.uscis.gov

Thanks. I need a reciept of some kind to get a stamp though. Thanks for the info. I was told that, but now see that was wrong.

[RACHELinJAPAN 1]

So you will be overseas over your exact renewal period. Thing is, your status doesn't expire, you just won't have proof of status without renewing it. I suggest finding out if you can get a GC stamp in your passport at the overseas consulate when your card expires, then once you've reentered the US in December, apply for a renewal.

My question was- can I get it now. Now it is 11 months to go. Obviously when I'm 6 months before it expires, i'll be out of the country. You can only get an ADIT stamp ( a passport version of your green card status) if you can prove you've started to apply for a new one, paid for it etc.

At least, and I repeat, this is all info I have been given. By lawyers, the LAX immigration person etc. Seems some of the info is right, some not. But you can't just show up at the embassy and get a stamp for the GC. Again, the embassy in TOkyo were useless.

I would definitely get a new GC in Dec when I get back. but I really don't want the whole year of worry about IF they let me in. I am probably overreacting, but I've got a good record and want to show I'm attending to this now. I do know people who have had nightmares at the airport. I already can't sleep over this. Annoying. Thanks for reply.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

My question was- can I get it now. Now it is 11 months to go. Obviously when I'm 6 months before it expires, i'll be out of the country. You can only get an ADIT stamp ( a passport version of your green card status) if you can prove you've started to apply for a new one, paid for it etc.

At least, and I repeat, this is all info I have been given. By lawyers, the LAX immigration person etc. Seems some of the info is right, some not. But you can't just show up at the embassy and get a stamp for the GC. Again, the embassy in TOkyo were useless.

I would definitely get a new GC in Dec when I get back. but I really don't want the whole year of worry about IF they let me in. I am probably overreacting, but I've got a good record and want to show I'm attending to this now. I do know people who have had nightmares at the airport. I already can't sleep over this. Annoying. Thanks for reply.

I answered your questions in red in the quote box with my previous reply. No you can't apply now.

You can't "only get an ADIT stamp" if you've got proof you applied for a GC/renewal. Where did you read this? I think that you're confused because your last application was a request for a continuation of your status, whereas this is simply a renewal. Your status is NOT revoked by you not renewing your card on time, as i stated previously.

Make an infopass and ask someone who can actually tell you and who you will trust. Lawyers are often wrong, the phone people have no idea the majority of the time. I'll bet you'll be told that you can get a GC stamp before you leave or at the embassy in Tokyo.

You said the embassy in Toyko was useless, it was via phone so there's no certainty you didn't just speak to the receptionist who might not know anything. It's also hard for them to give you what you need when you're not sure yourself what you need...

Make the infopass and you'll have a better idea.

p.s. Honestly the hassle was created by yourself. You could have naturalised long ago (though I understand if you didn't want to). You are NOT supposed to move overseas to work and "most people" would make sure they made the time to keep their status secure. You're allowed out for that long but you'll want to make sure you are retaining ties to the US so you don't get accused of giving up your status. It's not a hard process to renew your card, is your leaving the country for basically a year that's causing the problem.

Edited October 7, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[NickD 203]

One of my sons is working in Japan, a niece is working in South Korea, after graduating from college, the only places where they could find a job. Another son has to visit China once a month and always comes home sick, what in the hell is going on?

Depending on what line of work you are in, if not working for the government or some kind of missionary work, also have a residency requirement to look into if working for a private firm that could cause you to lose your green card. Not really up to date on all this stuff, but something you should be looking into. Stepdaughter just graduated with honors, back home and looking hard for a job. Would think the USCIS would make some compensation for this with non-US citizens, but they have their hard headed rules. But not concerned about her, she is already a US citizen.

Other son could only find a job at Target, thought with graduating with honors would advance fast, but quickly learned his co-workers had more advanced degrees than he did. Who in the hell started this global economy #######? Sure not helping the American people.

[RACHELinJAPAN 1]

I answered your questions in red in the quote box with my previous reply. No you can't apply now.

You can't "only get an ADIT stamp" if you've got proof you applied for a GC/renewal. Where did you read this? I think that you're confused because your last application was a request for a continuation of your status, whereas this is simply a renewal. Your status is NOT revoked by you not renewing your card on time, as i stated previously.

Make an infopass and ask someone who can actually tell you and who you will trust. Lawyers are often wrong, the phone people have no idea the majority of the time. I'll bet you'll be told that you can get a GC stamp before you leave or at the embassy in Tokyo.

You said the embassy in Toyko was useless, it was via phone so there's no certainty you didn't just speak to the receptionist who might not know anything. It's also hard for them to give you what you need when you're not sure yourself what you need...

Make the infopass and you'll have a better idea.

p.s. Honestly the hassle was created by yourself. You could have naturalised long ago (though I understand if you didn't want to). You are NOT supposed to move overseas to work and "most people" would make sure they made the time to keep their status secure. You're allowed out for that long but you'll want to make sure you are retaining ties to the US so you don't get accused of giving up your status. It's not a hard process to renew your card, is your leaving the country for basically a year that's causing the problem.

Thanks but I didnt create this hassle myself. If anything I'm being extremely pro-active. I have never wanted American citizenship. Not when green card does fine. It could happen anytime. I am not moving abroad from the USA, just a long gig. My status IS secure thank you, and I have my car house bank statements and so on to. You're right, it's the leaving the US for 11 months that is the issue, and I have no real qualm about getting a citizenship, but that probably won't happen in 3 months. I created the gig and the timing is tight. But saying I created this myself by making out I should have gotten naturalization is just lame. DOes nobody want to keep their old citizenship and hang on to their passport? I know I do. Last thing I want is to say I am an American. Thank you for the advice.

[RACHELinJAPAN 1]

Just to update. I've made an infopass meeting in 8 days. Thanks for the advice and comment sfrom all, even the ruder ones.

FWIW, this is a GIG for 11 months. During that 11 months my GC expires.

I have had my GC 10 years obviously and before that was on O visas. I have never desparately needed to be a citizen. In fact, I like the GC enough. Of course, this is the first time I will have to renew

or update my status at all.

Even if I had wanted naturalization 5 years ago, which I did know of and was well aware of, I just never thought it was a major draw. I don't want to say "Im an american".

So please, the comments about being silly not to do that, or comments about this hassle was made by me, really I don't need them. I did not forget, get lazy,

or procrastinate a thing. I knew I could naturalize and simply wanted to renew when the time came.

The ONLY reason this is an isue now is the amount of time I will be required to be overseas.

This was a good gig offered, as Nick said, good job good money. I have been hustling and making all efforts to be a working tax paying resident and hav paid all my dues

and now a better gig came up for 11 months so will take it.

I am now being 100% PRO-active, so please again, don't give me comments about how this is my "fault", as though something terrible has happened.

In my attempts to be pro-active I've received 300 pieces of advice from lawyers, you guys and embassy, USCIS etc etc online and from personal friends, and of course, none of it will be what actually happens

as somebody mentioned. I'm sure that, once in TOkyo I can waltz into the embassy *USA* and simply get a stamp.

Vanessa and Tony, the immigration lady at LAX and USCIC told me I can't get an ADIT stamp.

Thank you for the incredulous "who on EARTH told you that" attitude.

Really, you guys are freaking awesome. Holed up there in Iowa or wherever you are, you really do make yourselves look bad by acting so snippy and condescending.

This is supposed to be a forum to ask questions and receive answers. I have made my reasons and situation clear, and I'm not going to accept your silly accusation of me getting myself into this mess due to

the fact I didn't want to jump for joy and become an AMerican 5 years ago. Frankly, and I don't think I'm alone here, there isn't a nationality I'd rather be less.

Iraqi included.

You know what citizenship means that I now cannot do?

Vote.

WOnderful. SIgn me freaking up.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks but I didnt create this hassle myself. If anything I'm being extremely pro-active. I have never wanted American citizenship. Not when green card does fine. It could happen anytime. I am not moving abroad from the USA, just a long gig. My status IS secure thank you, and I have my car house bank statements and so on to. You're right, it's the leaving the US for 11 months that is the issue, and I have no real qualm about getting a citizenship, but that probably won't happen in 3 months. I created the gig and the timing is tight. But saying I created this myself by making out I should have gotten naturalization is just lame. DOes nobody want to keep their old citizenship and hang on to their passport? I know I do. Last thing I want is to say I am an American. Thank you for the advice.

You're feeling very anxious and defensive so I get why you got so offended by my post, but I wasn't meaning to be rude. I did state that you could have naturalised and avioded this, but my main point was that you chose to take a gig over this timeframe. It's one of the irritating parts of immigration, that you're life is often dictated by immigration issues. This is a forum so other people read these things and it's important for others to read that it isn't immigration that's causing the issue, like you stated it was by this post: " but I remain rather shocked at the amount of ###### information there is for a bona fide person with tax paying history to simply get a renewed GC without hassle. I may have to just file the i 90 and see, like you said". My response was to that statement, that YOU created the hassle by your gig overseas, not immigration.

I was not implying that your status wasn't secure, i was simply pointing out you COULD be putting it at risk, and not just you, anyone else reading. As long as you continue to maintain an address and file taxes typically you're fine.

I will naturalise so my life isn't controlled by immigration decisions. It doesn't make me any less Australia, I do NOT give up by Australian citizenship or passport (or my UK one for that matter) and I don't have to say I'm American if I don't want to, but I wouldn't solely be American either.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I am now being 100% PRO-active, so please again, don't give me comments about how this is my "fault", as though something terrible has happened.

In my attempts to be pro-active I've received 300 pieces of advice from lawyers, you guys and embassy, USCIS etc etc online and from personal friends, and of course, none of it will be what actually happens as somebody mentioned. I'm sure that, once in TOkyo I can waltz into the embassy *USA* and simply get a stamp.

Vanessa and Tony, the immigration lady at LAX and USCIC told me I can't get an ADIT stamp. Thank you for the incredulous "who on EARTH told you that" attitude.

Really, you guys are freaking awesome. Holed up there in Iowa or wherever you are, you really do make yourselves look bad by acting so snippy and condescending.

This is supposed to be a forum to ask questions and receive answers. I have made my reasons and situation clear, and I'm not going to accept your silly accusation of me getting myself into this mess due to the fact I didn't want to jump for joy and become an AMerican 5 years ago. Frankly, and I don't think I'm alone here, there isn't a nationality I'd rather be less.

Iraqi included.

Again, my comment was only in response to your comment here: "but I remain rather shocked at the amount of ###### information there is for a bona fide person with tax paying history to simply get a renewed GC without hassle. I may have to just file the i 90 and see, like you said." which implies that this is immigrations "fault" when it's not.

Also, this is a forum where misinformation is often spread, and where occasionally the guides are outdated. My post in regards to the ADIT stamp (actually referred to more commonly as the I-551 stamp) was: "Where did you read this?" not what you stated I said. And I only asked where you read it so that if there WAS info somewhere here we could have it reported and removed/updated. I wasn't being snippy and condescending, I'm sorry you feel that way.

And lastly, and there is "snippiness" involved here, if you hate American's and the idea of being one then why are you here? It's a bit odd that you are so vehemently against it. There's not wanting to give up identity and all that, but your post about "there isn't a nationality i'd rather be less" is rather offensive to all American's.

Edited October 7, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[Okalian 41]

This is supposed to be a forum to ask questions and receive answers. I have made my reasons and situation clear, and I'm not going to accept your silly accusation of me getting myself into this mess due to the fact I didn't want to jump for joy and become an AMerican 5 years ago. Frankly, and I don't think I'm alone here, there isn't a nationality I'd rather be less. Iraqi included.

Nowhere do I see in Vanessa's response where she could seem "snippy and condescending". If you look at her other posts and see how she's been helpful to others, you'll know that such impression is only on your side.

Trust me, people can choose to simply read your post and move on with their day without giving a lick, and there are others who choose to take the time and advise you with the very thing they would do if they're in your shoes. No one here expects a "thank you" but nor do they anticipate being called "snippy and condescending". Very discouraging indeed.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Just a thought reading though all this again. Since you will be out of the US for more than 6 months, have you considered getting a re-entry permit. That will keep your LPR status and allow you to re-enter the US and show the USCIS that you are being pro-active in regards to the GC expiring and being outside the US for more than 6 months. It might also allow you the peace of mind. Since it is the GC that is expiring and not your LPR status, maybe the re-entry permit can be used to get you back into the US and then you apply for a new GC next December. Something to ask at your INFOPASS appointment. Or I might be all wet.

Dave

Edited October 9, 2012 by Dave&Roza