Postponing becoming a US citizen

[Shub 78]

Committing fraud is always a problem, obviously. But if what you're doing is not considered fraud to begin with, then it's another matter.

Can we stop this conversation? It was not my intent to derail the topic and that's what's happening.

Edited October 15, 2013 by Shub

[KaashParinda 7]

Folks, this question about timing has morphed into something else and is not helpful. So lets not talk about the legality or not of dual citizenship etc anymore.

My question was, what's the best tactic to pospone getting US citizenship given an impending trip abroad.

1. A few of you said, you can request postponements in 3 instances, fingerprint, interview and oath.

2. A coup of you said, do the fingerprint and interview, postpone the oath.

3. One of you said, postpone the trip.

I have decided to not postpone the fingerprint and see when the interview gets scheduled. If the interview gets scheduled for late November, we will have till late Dec to request oath after we return in late Jan.

I did see the horror stories about your file getting lost and not being able to do the oath sometimes upto a year. I also saw that if you can miss your oath once and not lose the opportunity to do the oath (i.e. don't have to start from scratch); the same is not true if you miss fingerprint and interview - here you are said to have abandoned the case.

The requesting of changing oath date is mixed - some field offices are clean and easy, some are not. We'll have to take our chances (San Jose field office).

Thanks all. If someone has actually postponed their oath I would love to hear from them.

Best, KP

[girimurthy 5]

You should be fine. According to trackkit.com n400 tracker I see San Jose has same day Oath too if required and also mostly all of them had their oath within two weeks from interview.

http://www.trackitt.com/usa-immigration-trackers/n400

And also it looks to be the one of the centers which is processing very fast.

[KaashParinda 7]

You should be fine. According to trackkit.com n400 tracker I see San Jose has same day Oath too if required and also mostly all of them had their oath within two weeks from interview.

http://www.trackitt.com/usa-immigration-trackers/n400

And also it looks to be the one of the centers which is processing very fast.

I wish it was that simple. The oath can't be before Dec 6 (3 year anniversary) and our flights are Dec 26. Even if for some miraculous reason the oath is on Dec 6, gives us only 20 days to get a US passport and an Indian visa. Can be done since we don't live far from the regional passport office (same day passport) and the consulate.

I think we'll request another oath date after we return when we get to that point, just to be sure. The good thing about that is that for the oath ceremony, if you don't show up, you have one more chance (not the case with fingerprint and interview, if you don't don't do anything there, the case is abandoned).

Keeping fingers crossed that we will be easily be able to postpone the oath ceremony before we leave.

[KaashParinda 7]

I wish it was that simple. The oath can't be before Dec 6 (3 year anniversary) and our flights are Dec 26. Even if for some miraculous reason the oath is on Dec 6, gives us only 20 days to get a US passport and an Indian visa. Can be done since we don't live far from the regional passport office (same day passport) and the consulate.

I think we'll request another oath date after we return when we get to that point, just to be sure. The good thing about that is that for the oath ceremony, if you don't show up, you have one more chance (not the case with fingerprint and interview, if you don't don't do anything there, the case is abandoned).

Keeping fingers crossed that we will be easily be able to postpone the oath ceremony before we leave.

Note, I am not recommending at all that we simply not show up at the oath ceremony. Of course you document the request to postpone it. I am just saying that from what I have read, if you don't show up, you do get another chance.

[warlord 73]

As I mentioned earlier. Cancel the trip. Trying to postpone the Oath/interviews will likely get you delayed possibly for a long time. The standard rule is only postpone the oath if it's a life and death matter. Cancel the trip get the oath, get the passport then go on a trip. Which is more important?

[NINA80 9]

It's very simple cancel the trip till she has her citizenship. agree with the other post in most countries you can use your old passport to enter them and you don't have to disclose your dual citizenship but as you said it not the case for India. So make your decision and see which one is more important the trip or the citizenship.

[KaashParinda 7]

warlord and nina80-

Canceling the trip costs money and time off can be done only certain times of the year. I have read several instances where people have informed the interviewing officer of their travel plans and successfully requested and received a new date within a reasonable time. No great hurry to get citizenship (in retrospect we should have after our trip, but who knew they were processing things so fast at San Jose). Yes, I have read the horror stories where it has taken upto a year to get to the oath rescheduled. Besides, given that you can get a passport in a day, and a visa in two weeks (if you are local)...we like to keep that option open too.

Btw, you two are the only two folks here and other forums that are recommending canceling. Most say you should take the oath if you possibly can, but if not request taking it later.

KP

[grs 1]

KP, sanjose does not do same day oath, Oath ceremony is held in campbell heritage theater once or twice a month. For October it is scheduled on 23rd. I guess depends on how many people are inline for interview/oath. I think the best option is to complete your interview (yours should be around December 6 -10)and then request the I/O to schedule your oath in Jan/Feb. You could even request to postpone the interview, my preference would be oath...

Edited October 18, 2013 by grs

[NINA80 9]

warlord and nina80-

Canceling the trip costs money and time off can be done only certain times of the year. I have read several instances where people have informed the interviewing officer of their travel plans and successfully requested and received a new date within a reasonable time. No great hurry to get citizenship (in retrospect we should have after our trip, but who knew they were processing things so fast at San Jose). Yes, I have read the horror stories where it has taken upto a year to get to the oath rescheduled. Besides, given that you can get a passport in a day, and a visa in two weeks (if you are local)...we like to keep that option open too.

Btw, you two are the only two folks here and other forums that are recommending canceling. Most say you should take the oath if you possibly can, but if not request taking it later.

KP

I said to cancel the trip because rescheduling the interview or the oath will put your wife back on line. We were in the same boat on August 2010. My husband had to go back home to see his sick father after buying the ticket the next day the interview letter was in the mail. Most advices we had was to cancel the trip. Which my husband did.

When I had my interview I asked the officer about When I should expect my oath letter Because I was planning to go on vacation the following month. He told me that I can reschedule my oath up to 2 times. I just have to let them know. So yeah when she has her interview she can discuss this matter with the officer and show him the ticket. I am sure they will help her out .

Good luck

[NickD 202]

It's up to the OP what he wants to do, after our long battle with the USCIS during the ROC stage and even having to make an extra 450 mile drive for an infopass appointment for a I-551 stamp in her newly renewed foreign passport we had to make yet another 700 drive to get that renewed. Felt like we need a break after that fresh ten year card finally came in.

We had to update our evidence for that I-751 because over a year went by, for the N-400, they wanted another inch thick of evidence, posted processing time was ten months and is a commitment, then with three more 450 mile trips getting up at 2:00 AM in the morning, concerned about the weather for a total of another 1,350 miles of driving, major delays would occur if we didn't keep those appointments that we have no opportunity to muturally agree upon.

But with the problems she had with her employer and the DMV with trying to explain to them about an expired green card, let's get it over with. This also meant, no travel. We made that commitment and kept it. and to our surprise, it was over with in six short months. The reward was finally getting free of the USCIS, and how pleased she was to show her employer, she is now a US citizenship. We already had her passport application made out with an appointment the day after her oath. Another two weeks of tension, and that was over with.

But then we learned with her place of birth on her US passport with the country she was born in, but not the country she grew up in, had to renew her citizenship in that country and get yet another passport. A couple more of 700 mile drives. With that over and done with, finally free.

[mamaSue 38]

It's a lot more simple than a lot of people are making it....

I was travelling 2 weeks after my interview date.

I went to the interview, and told the IO that I would be out of the country for the next 2 months.

He put a note on my forms saying "Please schedule oath ceremony after March 5 2012, as Ms. XXXX will be out of the country" and highlighted it with a yellow highlighter.

While I was away, I Skyped the USCIS 0800 number, and the person told me my oath was scheduled for March 25th.

When I got home, my oath letter was indeed in my mail.

So....Kaash, all you need to do is that. Don't even think about cancelling trips or interviews...it's very simple!!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

It's a lot more simple than a lot of people are making it....

I was travelling 2 weeks after my interview date.

I went to the interview, and told the IO that I would be out of the country for the next 2 months.

He put a note on my forms saying "Please schedule oath ceremony after March 5 2012, as Ms. XXXX will be out of the country" and highlighted it with a yellow highlighter.

While I was away, I Skyped the USCIS 0800 number, and the person told me my oath was scheduled for March 25th.

When I got home, my oath letter was indeed in my mail.

So....Kaash, all you need to do is that. Don't even think about cancelling trips or interviews...it's very simple!!

Ha NO! I told MY officer that I wanted a Davenport ceremony, which was totally possible and an option she offered (and only 45-60 mins from home depending on location). She wrote "DAV Ceremony" on my stuff and guess what, still scheduled in Des Moines, a 3 hour drive (one-way). I didn't reschedule though because I have seen people waiting 6+ months for the reschedule and i'd already waiting 5 months (from filing).

So the OP could tell/ask their officer but I wouldn't bank on it.

Personally I'd just reschedule the Oath date seeing the OP doesn't seem to fazed about it, it's the OP's risk to take.

[agniecha78 1]

I am in a similar situation.

I have a trip planned at the end of January. I applied for citizenship the first week of July. Having witnessed the process a few times as my friends where going through it, I assumed I would probably be done with the whole thing and with an American passport in my hand by the end of the year. I know there is no guarantee and every case can be different , but if your friends' process took 4 months from beginning to end you kind of believe this will be the same for you.

We are at the end of October now and I haven't even gotten my biometrics appointment. I called in twice , went for an INFOPASS once and all they told me was that I'm still withing normal time range.

Having said that - maybe it will be moving very slow and I won't have to reschedule anything. But if things finally pick up and I will have my oath scheduled too close to my trip , so I can't get a passport in time ( even going the expedited way ), I will be rescheduling my oath ceremony .

[KaashParinda 7]

I am in a similar situation.

I have a trip planned at the end of January. I applied for citizenship the first week of July. Having witnessed the process a few times as my friends where going through it, I assumed I would probably be done with the whole thing and with an American passport in my hand by the end of the year. I know there is no guarantee and every case can be different , but if your friends' process took 4 months from beginning to end you kind of believe this will be the same for you.

We are at the end of October now and I haven't even gotten my biometrics appointment. I called in twice , went for an INFOPASS once and all they told me was that I'm still withing normal time range.

Having said that - maybe it will be moving very slow and I won't have to reschedule anything. But if things finally pick up and I will have my oath scheduled too close to my trip , so I can't get a passport in time ( even going the expedited way ), I will be rescheduling my oath ceremony .

Looks like Boston is behind. Here in San Jose, they seem to be on track. Add your case at :http://www.trackitt.com/usa-immigration-trackers/n400 This gives more granular data on your specific type of case. The only thing to note is, if you are going away, make sure someone is watching your mail and authorize him/her to open anything from INS so you can reschedule in needed.

My wife did her fingerprints today and we intend to request moving the oath ceremony if its scheduled when we are gone.

Good luck, KP

It's a lot more simple than a lot of people are making it....

I was travelling 2 weeks after my interview date.

I went to the interview, and told the IO that I would be out of the country for the next 2 months.

He put a note on my forms saying "Please schedule oath ceremony after March 5 2012, as Ms. XXXX will be out of the country" and highlighted it with a yellow highlighter.

While I was away, I Skyped the USCIS 0800 number, and the person told me my oath was scheduled for March 25th.

When I got home, my oath letter was indeed in my mail.

So....Kaash, all you need to do is that. Don't even think about cancelling trips or interviews...it's very simple!!

Thanks, yes, I think it will be simple to reschedule the oath ceremony. We intend to press ahead. My wife did her fingerprints today.

Best, KP