Interview letter received but I won't be available

[FaustInAK 1]

Hello,

I just received my interview letter, scheduled for Feb. 12th.

I will unfortunately be out of town then. I am actually moving from Denver, CO, to Alaska on the 7th. Just learned about this.

Do I just need to send the letter back to them with an updated address? My concern is that it is specified that any changes in date needs to be sent to the USCIS local office, but when I move North, I won't be attached to CO any longer, and I am wondering if they would forward the mail to the new USCIS office.

Any insight would help! Thanks.

F.

[JimmyHou 613]

Hello,

I just received my interview letter, scheduled for Feb. 12th.

I will unfortunately be out of town then. I am actually moving from Denver, CO, to Alaska on the 7th. Just learned about this.

Do I just need to send the letter back to them with an updated address? My concern is that it is specified that any changes in date needs to be sent to the USCIS local office, but when I move North, I won't be attached to CO any longer, and I am wondering if they would forward the mail to the new USCIS office.

Any insight would help! Thanks.

F.

1-You will need to send back the letter to request a new date.

2-You will need to fill out an AR-11 form to update your address with USCIS

3-You will need to update your address for your pending N400 case through the USCIS website.

Theoretically, when you perform step 3, they should transfer your file to Alaska... however, I am yet to read a single case on here where the transfer happened without problems. In every case reported here, the move has caused delays of several months. Of course, it's probable that only people with bad experiences bother writing about them, but I want you to have as much information as possible.

All you can do is make sure you follow the three steps listed above. Also note that Alaskan USCIS offices hold infrequent oath ceremonies, so you may be in for a long wait anyway. Considering that Denver conducts same-day oath ceremonies (no guarantee that you will get one), If I were in your shoes, I would try hard to push back the move by a few days so that I can attend the interview in Denver. If you get a same day oath, then you're done. If not, then at least you're done with the interview and you can ask in person about transferring your file right after you are approved.

[deidre 13]

hi F... Would it just not be easier to fly back to Denver for the interview? Is this is at all possible? (Instead of trying to request a new date along with change of address then waiting for USCIS to transfer your file and then set you up for another interview date). If you are still keeping your CO address at least for a couple of weeks after your official move date, I would believe this still be under the criteria of being a resident of the state.

[Buckyball 22]

If you move to a different state they will move your case and I'm quite sure you then have to be a resident there for 3 month before you can move on with your case. It would be much better to finish the whole thing in Denver.

[Shelly11 14]

Remember you have to be resident in the area you apply for atleast 3 months. Moving to Alaska means you need to wait at least 3 months before applying.

If I was a month away from all this, I would just get it over with in CO

[JimmyHou 613]

If you move to a different state they will move your case and I'm quite sure you then have to be a resident there for 3 month before you can move on with your case. It would be much better to finish the whole thing in Denver.

Remember you have to be resident in the area you apply for atleast 3 months. Moving to Alaska means you need to wait at least 3 months before applying.

If I was a month away from all this, I would just get it over with in CO

The 90 day residency rule states that you need to be a resident of the state in which you apply for three months before you send in your application No such rule for three months before your interview. If they transfer the file in time, the OP can technically be interviewed the day after the move to Alaska.

[FaustInAK 1]

Thanks all. I'll think about my options. It does not look like there will be a same day oath, although I can't know for sure. The letter mentions the interview - quiz on US history and english test/writing/oral - for about 2 hours. I'll see if my job is flexible even to let me do this.

If the oath isn't the same day as the interview, I assume they will schedule something at a later date. Is that the only next step after the interview? I would then be quite reluctant to fly to Denver just for that, and am likely to update my address right after the interview if I decide to take it here. Anyone sees a problem with changing address before the oath?

[JimmyHou 613]

Thanks all. I'll think about my options. It does not look like there will be a same day oath, although I can't know for sure. The letter mentions the interview - quiz on US history and english test/writing/oral - for about 2 hours. I'll see if my job is flexible even to let me do this.

If the oath isn't the same day as the interview, I assume they will schedule something at a later date. Is that the only next step after the interview? I would then be quite reluctant to fly to Denver just for that, and am likely to update my address right after the interview if I decide to take it here. Anyone sees a problem with changing address before the oath?

You're right to change your address as soon as you move... it's important to be accurate and upfront with USCIS... you are also required to file an AR11 form within 10 days of moving, so you'll have to do that anyway.

The problem with moving (and therefore changing your address) before the oath is that they will still have to transfer your file to Alaska... you're probably going to face a delay no matter what; but personally, I'd prefer to face a delay after I've already been approved... that way, Alaska just has to schedule an oath for you rather than review your file in detail and administer the interview.

I am not certain of this, but I do not think that Denver will agree to administer your oath once you have moved out of their jurisdiction.

One more thing... only some offices offer same-day oath ceremonies, and they don't tell you on your letter that you will take the oath that day, because they don't know if you'll be approved or not.

What time is your interview? If you have a morning interview, you can explain your situation to the interviewer once you are approved. Tell him/her that you are about to move and you would appreciate a same-day oath rather than wait to have your file transferred... he/she may accommodate you.

Edited January 13, 2015 by JimmyHou

[FaustInAK 1]

Thanks JimmyHou. I might try to do that. The interview is scheduled for 8am...

[JimmyHou 613]

Thanks JimmyHou. I might try to do that. The interview is scheduled for 8am...

If you have travel booked by then, take it with you as proof.

Also, take something with you that shows that you're still living in CO... like a lease agreement or something... just in case he/she says "hey, if you're already an Alaskan, I can't interview you".