N-400 February 2015 Filers

[FSI 4]

I want to share my interview experience from yesterday.

My interview was scheduled at 7:20 at LA field office. I was called around 7:40. She asked me to take the oath. The interview lasted for about 40-45 minutes during which the IO went over N400 questions. I had to correct her for the traffic citations which I did not mention it on the application. I took all the paperwork with me and showed it to IO. The IO was very courteous.

American history and civic questions asked are below:

1) What is the supreme law of the land?

2) Who signs bills to become laws?

3) Who vetoes bills?

4) What is the capital of your state?

5) What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

6) Who did the United States fight in World War II?

Reading test:

What state has largest population?

Writing test:

California has largest population.

After the interview, she recommended me for an approval. When I inquired about the possible oath date, she mentioned that all the applications have to go through the background check again after the interview (which is a surprise to me). I am concerned now as my initial background check before the interview lasted about 7 months.

I would also like to share one possible reason which delayed my background check and I had no idea about it neither I read it on any forum. When I asked the reason for that extensive background check to the IO, first thing she asked me whether I applied prior to 5th year anniversary and then she answered herself that this is the main reason for the delays in background checks. Usually when the applicants apply before the anniversary (3 year or 5 year) regardless USCIS allows it, the background check adds another layer which is a manual process and it takes sometime depending on your name. If your name is common then it will further delay the application during the manual process.

I just hope I don't have to go through all this process again which took forever for me. I also would like to ask how long after the interview does it take to change the online status to whatever the next status is (oath ceremony or oath scheduled).

Hope it helps.

Edited November 3, 2015 by FSI

[GOLFER 4]

After the interview, she recommended me for an approval. When I inquired about the possible oath date, she mentioned that all the applications have to go through the background check again after the interview (which is a surprise to me). I am concerned now as my initial background check before the interview lasted about 7 months.

I would also like to share one possible reason which delayed my background check and I had no idea about it neither I read it on any forum. When I asked the reason for that extensive background check to the IO, first thing she asked me whether I applied prior to 5th year anniversary and then she answered herself that this is the main reason for the delays in background checks. Usually when the applicants apply before the anniversary (3 year or 5 year) regardless USCIS allows it, the background check adds another layer which is a manual process and it takes sometime depending on your name. If your name is common then it will further delay the application during the manual process.

I just hope I don't have to go through all this process again which took forever for me. I also would like to ask how long after the interview does it take to change the online status to whatever the next status is (oath ceremony or oath scheduled).

Hope it helps.

Congrats you should be fine now and your status will change to Oath ceremony scheduled letter when they schedule it usually within a month. This immigration office seems to be telling you stories regarding applying before the anniversary thing but common name does cause delay in name check clearance.

[NexGen 8]

I want to share my interview experience from yesterday.

My interview was scheduled at 7:20 at LA field office. I was called around 7:40. She asked me to take the oath. The interview lasted for about 40-45 minutes during which the IO went over N400 questions. I had to correct her for the traffic citations which I did not mention it on the application. I took all the paperwork with me and showed it to IO. The IO was very courteous.

American history and civic questions asked are below:

1) What is the supreme law of the land?

2) Who signs bills to become laws?

3) Who vetoes bills?

4) What is the capital of your state?

5) What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

6) Who did the United States fight in World War II?

Reading test:

What state has largest population?

Writing test:

California has largest population.

After the interview, she recommended me for an approval. When I inquired about the possible oath date, she mentioned that all the applications have to go through the background check again after the interview (which is a surprise to me). I am concerned now as my initial background check before the interview lasted about 7 months.

I would also like to share one possible reason which delayed my background check and I had no idea about it neither I read it on any forum. When I asked the reason for that extensive background check to the IO, first thing she asked me whether I applied prior to 5th year anniversary and then she answered herself that this is the main reason for the delays in background checks. Usually when the applicants apply before the anniversary (3 year or 5 year) regardless USCIS allows it, the background check adds another layer which is a manual process and it takes sometime depending on your name. If your name is common then it will further delay the application during the manual process.

I just hope I don't have to go through all this process again which took forever for me. I also would like to ask how long after the interview does it take to change the online status to whatever the next status is (oath ceremony or oath scheduled).

Hope it helps.

WOW! This is very different from what I was told during my interview last week.

My understanding is that the interviewer's primary role is to make sure that you are eligible to apply for citizenship based on the criteria established by USCIS whether applying under 3 or 5 year rule. Once they have established that you are eligible, and I would imagine this includes thoroughly reviewing your background check, they make their recommendation and then route your file for final review and approval. In my case, my application was approved and my ENTIRE immigration file was sent for supervisory review. This file includes every single piece of business I have ever done with USCIS and not just the n400 application. My file was quite thick because I came here as a student, held a work visa and eventually got my greencard. So my relationship with USCIS has probably decimated a small forest. Now, what is not clear is how many layers there are in supervisory review. My guess is one or two depending on the complexity of the applicant's file. I imagine there are fewer supervisors so you could get stuck here if they are backlogged. And until he/she signs off, USCIS cannot schedule your oath ceremony. Some offices must be very fast with their supervisory review, otherwise I am not sure how they could schedule same day or even next day oath ceremonies.

I think for the majority of cases, concurrent approval by the supervisor is a matter of formality. Really more a second pair of eyes.

If your file is kicked back to the interviewer, it would probably be for administrative reasons. Meaning you failed to complete a specific form or include some important evidentiary information to support your application.

Based on the trackers for previous months, the DC field office will update your status to "oath ceremony scheduled" within 30 days of the interview date. You might want to look at trackers for the last 3-4 months to see what your office is doing. I find them to be a great help in projecting my timeline and managing my expectations :-)

[KASH2011 382]

I want to share my interview experience from yesterday.

My interview was scheduled at 7:20 at LA field office. I was called around 7:40. She asked me to take the oath. The interview lasted for about 40-45 minutes during which the IO went over N400 questions. I had to correct her for the traffic citations which I did not mention it on the application. I took all the paperwork with me and showed it to IO. The IO was very courteous.

American history and civic questions asked are below:

1) What is the supreme law of the land?

2) Who signs bills to become laws?

3) Who vetoes bills?

4) What is the capital of your state?

5) What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

6) Who did the United States fight in World War II?

Reading test:

What state has largest population?

Writing test:

California has largest population.

After the interview, she recommended me for an approval.

Congrats!

[FSI 4]

Thank you NexGen for detailed response.

Congrats you should be fine now and your status will change to Oath ceremony scheduled letter when they schedule it usually within a month. This immigration office seems to be telling you stories regarding applying before the anniversary thing but common name does cause delay in name check clearance.

Thanks GOLFER

Congrats!

Thanks KASH. You have been a great help throughout.

I also want to share when the IO was reviewing my N400, she asked me if I am willing to give up citizenship of other country at the time of oath. At that point, I needed clarification so I asked her the reason as US allows dual citizenship so is my country of birth. She was kind of not expecting that question so she started explaining that even though US does allow dual citizenship but it is not recognized formally and it is not very clearly written anywhere. It was a surprise to me that IO is also not sure about it and she still asked me the question (remember this question was not in N400 form). When I asked her if she can explain little more in detail she changed the topic without clarifying it further and without getting my answer.

[AH88 1]

Hey guys, my oath is on Nov 18! I can't believe I've finally made it this far. Next will be applying for my husband to come to the US. For anyone wondering out there, I had left the country for 15 days after applying for citizenship and got married. This is completely allowed, people will try to scare you otherwise. Just make sure you're not going out of the country for more than 6 months and your total count of days outside the US in the last 5 years is less than 900 something days.

Anyway, I was wondering if there is a thread that someone can direct me to about application processes for passport? I want to know all the ways to do it and cost vs. Time, esp. in Houston. If anyone can direct me to that thread, I would be very grateful!

[mananto 36]

Hey guys, my oath is on Nov 18! I can't believe I've finally made it this far. Next will be applying for my husband to come to the US. For anyone wondering out there, I had left the country for 15 days after applying for citizenship and got married. This is completely allowed, people will try to scare you otherwise. Just make sure you're not going out of the country for more than 6 months and your total count of days outside the US in the last 5 years is less than 900 something days.

Anyway, I was wondering if there is a thread that someone can direct me to about application processes for passport? I want to know all the ways to do it and cost vs. Time, esp. in Houston. If anyone can direct me to that thread, I would be very grateful!

Congratulations AH88! Here you go

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/531587-2015-us-passport-card-application-tracker/page-28

[Atlbrazil 1]

How long after the interview for the online status change and for the oath letter arrive?

i had my interview on oc 15 and until today nothing yet, and the officer said 3 weeks after interview

[yackbrah 0]

How long after the interview for the online status change and for the oath letter arrive?

i had my interview on oc 15 and until today nothing yet, and the officer said 3 weeks after interview

I've been waiting since May....

Atlanta field office is a joke.

Good luck to you anyways.

[KASH2011 382]

I've been waiting since May....

Atlanta field office is a joke.

Good luck to you anyways.

Atlanta sucks! Let's put it that way!

[Atlbrazil 1]

Atlanta sucks! Let's put it that way!

Yes, Atlanta SUCKS!

I was waiting for my interview and I noticed alot of employees arriving late, running from the elevator to their rooms.......

[Atlbrazil 1]

I've been waiting since May....

Atlanta field office is a joke.

Good luck to you anyways.

LORD!!!!!!!! You should call them! I hope they resolve ur case!

[Atlbrazil 1]

Atlanta sucks! Let's put it that way!

LAZY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FSI 4]

I was hoping to get the change of status (oath ceremony scheduling) within a week after the interview but did not happen. The only thing I am concerned about after the interview, IO told me that there will be another round of background check which is common after the interview. I just hope it will not take that much time which took me last time before getting the interview (over 7 months).

How long after the interview for the online status change and for the oath letter arrive?

i had my interview on oc 15 and until today nothing yet, and the officer said 3 weeks after interview

Edited November 12, 2015 by FSI

[babyshaq4 0]

I had my interview yesterday (11/17/15) in Pittsburgh, PA, all went very well. At the end the IO gave me the N-652 with the " You passed..." and "A) Congratulations!..." boxed checked. Now the wait for the Oath Ceremony that I requested to be in one ASAP because I have an overseas trip in the middle of December.