My AOS interview experience today - Approved within moments

[BritInMA 15]

Firstly, you can see my history in the timeline below,.

We went to our interview today, it was a 90 minute drive to Lawrence, MA.

Got through security, which was a little awkward with a 4 week old baby, and everything that goes with him!

Sat for around 10 minutes, noted that all of the interviewee's and their partners were being interviewed separately.

My name was called, and I too was told to wait whilst they interviewed my wife.

Less than 10 minutes later, my wife returned and it was my turn; I took my 2.5" binder and photo album into the office, leaving wife and baby behind.

We went into the interview room, I was sworn in, and got asked the same set of drug/crime/terrorist questions that are on the application.

I was asked a few questions about my wife; How many tattoos she has, where they are, whether she smoked or not, the age of her childrenl To the best of my recollection that was all he asked about our relationship.

He then asked if I had any further evidence that they hadn't already seen, that might help my case; I offered the following:

-affidavits from friends

-further bank statements (my initial application lacked financial substance, see previous threads for details on using foreign income as a business owner)

-joint tenancy agreement

-joint car insurance

-joint credit cards

all of the above was declined. He asked if I had any photos, and I happened to have them; He looked through the album very briefly.

By now less than 5 minutes has passed, and he says to me "You application has been approved. Your green card will be with you within 7-10 days"

He took away my EAD/Parole card.

Within 30 minutes of leaving, I got a text and an email saying my green card was in production.

I am sure I'll still be around this site; It has been IMMENSELY helpful; But for now, I want to thank each and every one of you that has interacted with me, in any capacity, positive and negative;

2 years and 9 months until I start the citizenship process!!!!

[heo luoi 206]

Congratulations! I am sure the 4wk old baby was pretty helpful evidence.
Just curious re questions such as tattoos? How is this type of information vetted? Do they actually inspect persons visually for all their various tattoos or just corroborate your answers?

Edited September 21, 2015 by coldhands

[Uneks 13]

Congratulations.

[Uneks 13]

Congratulations! I am sure the 4wk old baby was pretty helpful evidence.

Just curious re questions such as tattoos? How is this type of information vetted? Do they actually inspect persons visually for all their various tattoos or just corroborate your answers?

Lol.....I don't think they inspect to verify those answers but they definitely will compare answers from both of them to see if same.

[ParisHeart 19]

Big Congrats.........

[ashmed246 78]

Firstly, you can see my history in the timeline below,.

We went to our interview today, it was a 90 minute drive to Lawrence, MA.

Got through security, which was a little awkward with a 4 week old baby, and everything that goes with him!

Sat for around 10 minutes, noted that all of the interviewee's and their partners were being interviewed separately.

My name was called, and I too was told to wait whilst they interviewed my wife.

Less than 10 minutes later, my wife returned and it was my turn; I took my 2.5" binder and photo album into the office, leaving wife and baby behind.

We went into the interview room, I was sworn in, and got asked the same set of drug/crime/terrorist questions that are on the application.

I was asked a few questions about my wife; How many tattoos she has, where they are, whether she smoked or not, the age of her childrenl To the best of my recollection that was all he asked about our relationship.

He then asked if I had any further evidence that they hadn't already seen, that might help my case; I offered the following:

-affidavits from friends

-further bank statements (my initial application lacked financial substance, see previous threads for details on using foreign income as a business owner)

-joint tenancy agreement

-joint car insurance

-joint credit cards

all of the above was declined. He asked if I had any photos, and I happened to have them; He looked through the album very briefly.

By now less than 5 minutes has passed, and he says to me "You application has been approved. Your green card will be with you within 7-10 days"

He took away my EAD/Parole card.

Within 30 minutes of leaving, I got a text and an email saying my green card was in production.

I am sure I'll still be around this site; It has been IMMENSELY helpful; But for now, I want to thank each and every one of you that has interacted with me, in any capacity, positive and negative;

2 years and 9 months until I start the citizenship process!!!!

Congratulations!!

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Congratulations !

[Starkilla09 366]

Congrats!

[allyalexandra 1]

Congratulations!!!

[Leo7777 243]

2 years and 9 months until I start the citizenship process!!!!

Where did you come up with this time frame?

For second or 10 year green card, one can apply 3 months before expiration of first green card. But this (three months early) doesn't hold for Citizenship application.

Unless I am missing something. Please enlighten me.

- - - - - - -

http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/naturalization-spouses-us-citizens

Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

[BritInMA 15]

Where did you come up with this time frame?

For second or 10 year green card, one can apply 3 months before expiration of first green card. But this (three months early) doesn't hold for Citizenship application.

Unless I am missing something. Please enlighten me.

- - - - - - -

http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/naturalization-spouses-us-citizens

Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

I'm always open to being proven wrong!

I was sure I'd read somewhere that you can apply 3 months in advance, but the website you cite does not say that.... if I ever find what I previously read, I'll try to remember to come back here - but as it stands, I stand corrected - 3 years to wait!

[Elf 146]

I'm always open to being proven wrong!

I was sure I'd read somewhere that you can apply 3 months in advance, but the website you cite does not say that.... if I ever find what I previously read, I'll try to remember to come back here - but as it stands, I stand corrected - 3 years to wait!

You were right the first time, you have two years and nine months (as do I )

From this page on the USCIS website

You may file Form N-400 ninety (90) calendar days before you complete your permanent residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a:

• Permanent resident for at least 5 years; or

• Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a US citizen.

To determine your 90-day early filing date, begin by identifying your 5-year or 3-year date as a permanent resident. For example, if the date on your Permanent Resident Card says “July 4, 2006,” you meet the 5 year permanent resident requirement on “July 4, 2011.” If you have met all other eligibility requirements, you may file your completed Form N-400 90 days before “July 4, 2011.” The earliest date you may apply for naturalization would be “April 5, 2011.”

[BritInMA 15]

You were right the first time, you have two years and nine months (as do I )

From this page on the USCIS website

You may file Form N-400 ninety (90) calendar days before you complete your permanent residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a:

• Permanent resident for at least 5 years; or

• Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a US citizen.

To determine your 90-day early filing date, begin by identifying your 5-year or 3-year date as a permanent resident. For example, if the date on your Permanent Resident Card says “July 4, 2006,” you meet the 5 year permanent resident requirement on “July 4, 2011.” If you have met all other eligibility requirements, you may file your completed Form N-400 90 days before “July 4, 2011.” The earliest date you may apply for naturalization would be “April 5, 2011.”

Thank you kind Sir - for a while there I thought I was going mad - I was *sure* I had read that I could apply 90 days early, and you've confirmed it.

Further clarification can be seen here:

http://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume12-PartG-Chapter3.html

Section E, (INA 334)

The spouse of a U.S. citizen filing for naturalization on the basis of his or her marriage may file the ​naturalization application ​up to 90 days before ​t​he ​date he ​or she ​would first ​me​e​t the ​required three-year period ​of continuous residence​.​ [10] ​Although an applicant may file early and may be interviewed during that period, the applicant is not eligible for naturalization until he or she has satisfied the required three-year period of residence. ​A​ll other requirements for naturalization mu​st be met at the time of filing.​