Timing N-400 Filing

[akihon 129]

I became eligible for naturalization this past October 10, based on marriage to a USC. I'm planning on a two week vacation in early February.

I know this is completely on a case by case basis, but I would like some input on when I should be filing the application such that nothing scheduled falls in early February, or if I should just wait until closer to early Feb to file the application.

I took a look at the some of the timelines posted in the Progress Report threads, but there are very few applications from Chicago, IL to the Arizona box.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Helpme123 9]

Good question. I was having a look at this myself since I'm eligible for N400 filing February 3rd.

Luckily I'm getting all my traveling in Nov and Jan. So at that point I'll be in Virginia for at least 8-9 months. Which allows for my N400 to be processed and my citizenship to be granted.

From what I have seen in other forums its taken less than 5-6 months from filing. Some cases are around the 3-4 month mark. So that's what I'm basing it on. I don't want the hassle of having to reschedule an interview or oath ceremony.

Good luck and Safe travels!

[akihon 129]

Good question. I was having a look at this myself since I'm eligible for N400 filing February 3rd.

Luckily I'm getting all my traveling in Nov and Jan. So at that point I'll be in Virginia for at least 8-9 months. Which allows for my N400 to be processed and my citizenship to be granted.

From what I have seen in other forums its taken less than 5-6 months from filing. Some cases are around the 3-4 month mark. So that's what I'm basing it on. I don't want the hassle of having to reschedule an interview or oath ceremony.

Good luck and Safe travels!

I just got back from a two week vacation and February's will be the next one, before a long "drought". A filing date of Feb 3 would be no issue for me, because I would just file early and then "let it roll" without having to worry about scheduling.

I'm talking more about dates. Like, if I filed on November 18, when would I be scheduled for fingerprinting? When will I be scheduled for the interview? Oath ceremony? Hence my question as to whether anybody has some idea of when I should file, or if I should just wait until closer to February.

Thank you =) I'm definitely enjoying the traveling.

Edited October 28, 2015 by akihon

[Helpme123 9]

I just got back from a two week vacation and February's will be the next one, before a long "drought". A filing date of Feb 3 would be no issue for me, because I would just file early and then "let it roll" without having to worry about scheduling.

I'm talking more about dates. Like, if I filed on November 18, when would I be scheduled for fingerprinting? When will I be scheduled for the interview? Oath ceremony? Hence my question as to whether anybody has some idea of when I should file, or if I should just wait until closer to February.

Feb 3 was just my situation as for you I wouldn't file until a month out of you returning from your trip. Since you're going to risk not being around for your bio-metrics appointment. If you filed today you might be away for your interview. It's up to you how badly you want your citizenship.

Do you want it in 4-5 months or 8-9 months? Does it make a difference either way?

If you need it early just apply and be prepared to reschedule something. However, I don't think it's likely you'll receive a finger print appointment letter the day you leave the country and than have that appointment set for the day before you return. But it's a risk you'll be taking if you apply before your travel date.

[Helpme123 9]

But to take a stab at answering your question if you:

Applied Nov 18....

Finger prints Dec 18

Interview Feb 18

Oath Ceremony Mar 18 (US citizen)

[akihon 129]

Feb 3 was just my situation as for you I wouldn't file until a month out of you returning from your trip. Since you're going to risk not being around for your bio-metrics appointment. If you filed today you might be away for your interview. It's up to you how badly you want your citizenship.

Do you want it in 4-5 months or 8-9 months? Does it make a difference either way?

If you need it early just apply and be prepared to reschedule something. However, I don't think it's likely you'll receive a finger print appointment letter the day you leave the country and than have that appointment set for the day before you return. But it's a risk you'll be taking if you apply before your travel date.

Thank you for your input. I've been worrying and worrying, trying to decide. My husband wants me to get my citizenship ASAP so we can quit having issues with my LPR card not matching the name on my foreign passport. Just this past trip, the stupid airline/airport asked me for my driver's license to further back up the LPR card and told me off for not carrying my marriage certificate to show the name change.

Because they should care more about it than DHS does /eyeroll. Immigration wasn't even an issue with the different names, and the officer didn't even bat an eyelid.

As for the citizenship, I want it so I can put in a petition to bring my brother to the USA (I understand that the wait is 12 years, so the sooner the filing, the better) but barring that, there is no rush for me to get citizenship. I haven't bought the tickets for the Feb trip yet either, but that would be happening soon if we were to go ahead with the trip.

But to take a stab at answering your question if you:

Applied Nov 18....

Finger prints Dec 18

Interview Feb 18

Oath Ceremony Mar 18 (US citizen)

You are so very helpful I could just hug you =)

I will definitely think about this. Right now, I'm pulling together the application, including requesting IRS transcripts by mail since the online thing was hacked in May.

There was a timeline someone had where the interview was scheduled two weeks after the interview letter came. That would cause a lot of issues.

Edited October 28, 2015 by akihon

[Helpme123 9]

You're welcome! I just used the dates from the Arizona N-400 July 2015 filer's to come up with a rough timeline. Have a look for yourself...all the dates and numbers are confusing at first but it all makes sense after familiarizing yourself with it

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/555119-n-400-july-2015-filers/page-52

Yeah, I can see airlines scrutinizing names etc. since to change a flight ticket name it costs like $200 so maybe it's all about the $$

That's cool you are petitioning your brother. I didn't realize it takes 12 years! Wow. What country of origin are you?

Edited October 28, 2015 by Helpme123

[akihon 129]

You're welcome! I just used the dates from the Arizona N-400 July 2015 filer's to come up with a rough timeline. Have a look for yourself...all the dates and numbers are confusing at first but it all makes sense after familiarizing yourself with it

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/555119-n-400-july-2015-filers/page-52

Yeah, I can see airlines scrutinizing names etc. since to change a flight ticket name it costs like $200 so maybe it's all about the $$

That's cool you are petitioning your brother. I didn't realize it takes 12 years! Wow. What country of origin are you?

Not sure about why the airlines care so much about it other than having to figure out how to get me back should I get denied entry. My ticket matches my passport name.

Country of origin is Malaysia.

I'm probably going to debate filing on Nov 20 or so. The holidays would probably mess things up too.

[kovacs 20]

My Chicago timeline:

Thursday 06/11/2015 N-400 Mailed

Saturday 06/13/2015 N-400 Delivered

Monday 06/15/2015 Priority Acceptance Date

Tuesday 06/16/2015 Website Application Receipt Confirmation

Wednesday 06/17/2015 Check cashed

Friday 06/19/2015 Application Confirmation Letter Delivered

Monday 06/29/2015 I-797C Biometrics Letter Delivered (No Website Update)

Wednesday 07/01/2015 Biometrics via Early Walkin

Friday 07/10/2015 Biometrics Original Scheduled Date

Friday 07/10/2015 Website In Line For Interview Update

Friday 09/04/2015 Website Interview Update

Tuesday 09/08/2015 Interview Letter Delivered

Wednesday 10/07/2015 Naturalization Interview Conducted

Monday 10/19/2015 Website Oath Update

Thursday 10/22/2015 - Oath Letter Delivered

Wednesday 11/04/2015 - Oath Ceremony

142 Days From Delivery - 4 Months, 20 Days

[akihon 129]

My Chicago timeline:

Thursday 06/11/2015 N-400 Mailed

Saturday 06/13/2015 N-400 Delivered

Monday 06/15/2015 Priority Acceptance Date

Tuesday 06/16/2015 Website Application Receipt Confirmation

Wednesday 06/17/2015 Check cashed

Friday 06/19/2015 Application Confirmation Letter Delivered

Monday 06/29/2015 I-797C Biometrics Letter Delivered (No Website Update)

Wednesday 07/01/2015 Biometrics via Early Walkin

Friday 07/10/2015 Biometrics Original Scheduled Date

Friday 07/10/2015 Website In Line For Interview Update

Friday 09/04/2015 Website Interview Update

Tuesday 09/08/2015 Interview Letter Delivered

Wednesday 10/07/2015 Naturalization Interview Conducted

Monday 10/19/2015 Website Oath Update

Thursday 10/22/2015 - Oath Letter Delivered

Wednesday 11/04/2015 - Oath Ceremony

142 Days From Delivery - 4 Months, 20 Days

Thanks

I was planning on mailing in my application around November 18. Even without getting biometrics early, I might be able to get it to skip early Feb!

But I think I'm going to err on the side of caution and file closer to Feb, a month out from my return to the US like Helpme123 suggested. I don't want to have to possibly get my catsitter to reschedule stuff for me.

Edited October 29, 2015 by akihon