Filing Early for Naturalization - What's it really mean?

[centrico 0]

I wanted to start this conversation because there a number of threads and websites that discuss early filing. But, they really do not elaborate on what that means for the applicant.

The applicant gets an earlier priority date to the time of filing. That's plain to see. But, what else does this do for the applicant? What happens next? Typically, when do they get scheduled for the interview?

Any clarification on this would be most beneficial to my understanding and I'm sure a number of others.

Thanks in advance!

[alex and astrid 38]

I wanted to start this conversation because there a number of threads and websites that discuss early filing. But, they really do not elaborate on what that means for the applicant.

The applicant gets an earlier priority date to the time of filing. That's plain to see. But, what else does this do for the applicant? What happens next? Typically, when do they get scheduled for the interview?

Any clarification on this would be most beneficial to my understanding and I'm sure a number of others.

Thanks in advance!

I'm going to assume that you mean, what happens when people file as soon as their application window opens, 90 days before their 3 or 5 year anniversary date?

This doesn't really need clarification. You just get the ball rolling on your application as soon as you can. Nothing else special happens.

[Jamericanlove 31]

I agree with A & A.

There's no standard rate that interviews get scheduled because it all depends on your local office and the case load they have to deal with. A lot of places don't process cases very fast, so if you happen to live in one of those areas you're easily looking at waiting 4-7 months for an interview date. The thing is you can't become a citizen, as in take the actual oath, until after your specific date (3 or 5 years after resident since) passes. To cut that time down to a bare minimum many people choose to file within the 90 day period.

As for why....there could be many reasons for wanting to speed it up.

- To be able to vote in an election (this year is not a year for that reason)

- To sponsor relatives to the US

- To get a job that requires you to be a USC

- To be able to live in another country

- To end an affidavit of support obligation

- To just be done with USCIS as quickly as possible

These are just a handful and I myself can relate to at least 2 of them.

[centrico 0]

Correct on your assumption A&A.

Great, the ball is rolling. However, that still leaves this open:

Anniversary date hits: do you get scheduled on that date, or does it get scheduled after that date and mail out on that date?

Anniversary date hits: do you get "ahead" of later filing individuals because of the priority date you established?

Or, is this "early filing" just an exercise in submitting documents at some point before your anniversary date with no added benefits and still waiting in line as if you applied on your date?

EDIT: I'm looking for the timeline of expectations for early versus standard filing or what makes it so valuable.

Edited September 17, 2013 by centrico

[jkelly07 120]

if your married then three years minus 90 days date on your green card, if single then its five years minus 90 days

[Kitten24 5]

"Early filing" just means you can file before your 3 or 5 year anniversary. There's no added benefits beyond that. The earlier you file, the sooner you get naturalized.

[Penguin_ie 5,999]

I think you are overthinking this.

They process the applications in the order they come in. If you file on day 89 before your 3 year anniversary, chances are you will have had biometrics and maybe even the interview (depending on your local USCIS office) before your anniversary. So you will safe up to three months because all that MUST happen after the anniversary is the oath, the bit that actually makes you a citizen.

[Jay2Pnoy 3]

"Early filing" just means you can file before your 3 or 5 year anniversary. There's no added benefits beyond that. The earlier you file, the sooner you get naturalized.

I agree! You will not be naturalized before your actual anniversary date, but at least you had the ball rolling by advancing on the biometrics and processing. I filed mine early based on the 90-day rule, it helped tremendously given I save myself time on the "waiting."