I-751 July 2016 Filers

[k.dlg 297]

8 hours ago, nightingalejules said:

I don't necessarily agree with that... I don't believe that anyone has looked at any files later than the dates that are getting approved. I know it's not the way it's supposed to work, but I suspect that as some people are starting to get approvals, the rest will get RFEs... and not before. Their goal seems to be a bit of a moving target, and if they send out an RFE, I think that takes that application "out of the timeline" - so it's on us if we get an RFE that our application falls outside the 6, or 7, or 9, or 12 month goal they've set.

Also, I'm sure you all remember that we are part of the last group whose I-130s were SOOOOO far behind... I think we're caught in the same backlog now, and because USCIS doesn't consider our applications to be "high priority" (since as far as they're concerned, we are in status (as proven by our letters, and then by a passport stamp) throughout the process) we're the last applications to get dealt with.

I know it's frustrating, but I think all bets are off... I won't be at all surprised if I have to file for naturalization before I get my 10yr greencard. And yes, I filed at CSC.

That might just be the case - filing for citizenship while the GC is still processing. Ugh. And then our wave from the last backlog to this backlog will likely hit another on the way out of immigration. Hooray!

[SennaBrigante 92]

I was planning on flying home for my sister's wedding with my USC toddler but with everything that's happening, I don't feel 100% confident about the extension letter. I don't want to risk not being let back in, even if I'm not from the 7 countries. I just hope they hurry up with the processing of our GC. I'd feel much confident traveling with an actual card in my hand. Though might be better to just wait until I naturalize 

[Ken Adams 41]

Recently I traveled India with my extend latter and expired GC. Everything went very smooth and need not to worry much.

[ocjmakaveli 16]

I filed for removal of conditions July 15 2016 and no response yet except i did biometrics in October 2016. Ill keep everyone updated

[hsa12390 30]

Hi Everyone

 

July 2016 filer here, completed biometrics 8/8/2016 and still waiting for news. I filed at VSC so I suspect I won't hear anything till this July at the earliest.

I did have a question regarding filing for N-400. My husband arrived in the US with his conditional GC on Sept 30, 2014. We are still married and living in the US and I know we can file for his citizenship 3 years after he got his conditional GC (so Sept 30 2017). My question is:

 

1) Do we have to wait until I-751 is approved to file for N-400? I've read some posts of people who applied for N-400 while their I-751 was still pending but wasn't sure if the USCIS would accept it or not...

 

2) I heard there's a 90 day early filing period which would put eligible filing date for N-400 at June 30th, 2017 instead of September 30th. Does anyone know if this is true?

 

Thanks!
 

[nightingalejules 678]

7 hours ago, hsa12390 said:

Hi Everyone

 

July 2016 filer here, completed biometrics 8/8/2016 and still waiting for news. I filed at VSC so I suspect I won't hear anything till this July at the earliest.

I did have a question regarding filing for N-400. My husband arrived in the US with his conditional GC on Sept 30, 2014. We are still married and living in the US and I know we can file for his citizenship 3 years after he got his conditional GC (so Sept 30 2017). My question is:

 

1) Do we have to wait until I-751 is approved to file for N-400? I've read some posts of people who applied for N-400 while their I-751 was still pending but wasn't sure if the USCIS would accept it or not...

 

2) I heard there's a 90 day early filing period which would put eligible filing date for N-400 at June 30th, 2017 instead of September 30th. Does anyone know if this is true?

 

Thanks!
 

Yes... it's something that is coming up a lot lately. 

1. No, you don't have to wait to file the N-400. They can't process your application until the I-751 has been approved. Which is why a lot of people are filing N-400 as soon as they're eligible: it will force the adjudication of your I-751.

2. Yes, the 90 day window applies, just like it did for the I-751.  

 

Good luck... and let me know if you want to "Skype study" together for the civics test!

[hsa12390 30]

9 hours ago, nightingalejules said:

Yes... it's something that is coming up a lot lately. 

1. No, you don't have to wait to file the N-400. They can't process your application until the I-751 has been approved. Which is why a lot of people are filing N-400 as soon as they're eligible: it will force the adjudication of your I-751.

2. Yes, the 90 day window applies, just like it did for the I-751.  

 

Good luck... and let me know if you want to "Skype study" together for the civics test!

Thanks nightingale! Here is my other question. When you apply for N-400 they ask for a copy of your GC. What do we send in in that case if we don't yet have the 10 year GC? I was thinking of sending in the CGC (even though it's expired) as well as a copy of the extension letter. Do we also need one of those I-551 stamps? Should we send all 3 or would they just want a copy of the CGC and I-551 stamp? and if the extension letter expires in July when should we make the infopass appointment to get the stamp?

 

Sorry for all the questions, I appreciate your help!

 

[nightingalejules 678]

12 hours ago, hsa12390 said:

Thanks nightingale! Here is my other question. When you apply for N-400 they ask for a copy of your GC. What do we send in in that case if we don't yet have the 10 year GC? I was thinking of sending in the CGC (even though it's expired) as well as a copy of the extension letter. Do we also need one of those I-551 stamps? Should we send all 3 or would they just want a copy of the CGC and I-551 stamp? and if the extension letter expires in July when should we make the infopass appointment to get the stamp?

 

Sorry for all the questions, I appreciate your help!

 

Yes, send copies of everything! Even if they don't actually need it, you'd hate to get an RFE! So copies of CGC, extension letter, and (if your extension letter is close to expiring) a copy of the I551 stamp in your passport (and if you're adding that you'll want to add the bio page of the passport, too)

Which I see was your last question. You can get an infopass for the I-551 one month before your letter expires. I'd call earlier though and see how long it takes to get an appointment (some busier offices are booked way far out in advance, and some people have to check at odd hours of the night to see if anything's opened up). Just make sure your actual appointment is within a month of the date when your extension expires, or they won't give you a stamp and the whole thing was for nothing!

Good luck!

[k.dlg 297]

On 2/1/2017 at 4:11 PM, hsa12390 said:

Hi Everyone

 

July 2016 filer here, completed biometrics 8/8/2016 and still waiting for news. I filed at VSC so I suspect I won't hear anything till this July at the earliest.

I did have a question regarding filing for N-400. My husband arrived in the US with his conditional GC on Sept 30, 2014. We are still married and living in the US and I know we can file for his citizenship 3 years after he got his conditional GC (so Sept 30 2017). My question is:

 

1) Do we have to wait until I-751 is approved to file for N-400? I've read some posts of people who applied for N-400 while their I-751 was still pending but wasn't sure if the USCIS would accept it or not...

 

2) I heard there's a 90 day early filing period which would put eligible filing date for N-400 at June 30th, 2017 instead of September 30th. Does anyone know if this is true?

 

Thanks!
 

1. You can file while the I-751 is still processing. Apparently, the N-400 will basically kickstart the I-751 and they'll process it and either approve or send an RFE before they begin to work on the N-400 file.

2. Yes, it's true. We plan to file in May (August POE here), and it seems more and more likely that we won't get the 10 year GC any time soon.

 

Oops, didn't see the prior response, sorry!

Edited February 3, 2017 by k.dlg

[hsa12390 30]

3 hours ago, k.dlg said:

1. You can file while the I-751 is still processing. Apparently, the N-400 will basically kickstart the I-751 and they'll process it and either approve or send an RFE before they begin to work on the N-400 file.

2. Yes, it's true. We plan to file in May (August POE here), and it seems more and more likely that we won't get the 10 year GC any time soon.

 

Oops, didn't see the prior response, sorry!

Thanks for the response! In that case, on the N-400 application do I mark that he's been here for 3 years (even though it's technically 3 years -90 days)?

 

 

[Audra 0]

Hello.  July 5, 2016 filer (for my husband) here.  Getting a little nervous about the delay at this point.  We had scheduled a trip back to France in June, long after we expected to have the conditions lifted, but now that seems a little hopeful. Your posts help me understand where we are!

[SunflowerinATL 0]

On 2/7/2017 at 11:57 AM, Audra said:

Hello.  July 5, 2016 filer (for my husband) here.  Getting a little nervous about the delay at this point.  We had scheduled a trip back to France in June, long after we expected to have the conditions lifted, but now that seems a little hopeful. Your posts help me understand where we are!

I'm from France too! I had intended on going home again this summer, but now with this lag I don't really want to learn the country in case of a approval or RFE. Everyone says to apply for citizenship, but I want to keep my EU citizenship. Are you a dual citizen? Wondering if I should get a lawyer to become a dual citizen? 

[nightingalejules 678]

8 hours ago, SunflowerinATL said:

I'm from France too! I had intended on going home again this summer, but now with this lag I don't really want to learn the country in case of a approval or RFE. Everyone says to apply for citizenship, but I want to keep my EU citizenship. Are you a dual citizen? Wondering if I should get a lawyer to become a dual citizen? 

You shouldn't need a lawyer any more than you need one for any other part of this process. As long as your country allows you to have dual citizenship, the US will allow it too. They just don't acknowledge other citizenships. Once you are a US citizen, that's all you are, as far as the US is concerned.

[silvershadow369 18]

On 2/2/2017 at 0:03 AM, nightingalejules said:

Yes... it's something that is coming up a lot lately. 

1. No, you don't have to wait to file the N-400. They can't process your application until the I-751 has been approved. Which is why a lot of people are filing N-400 as soon as they're eligible: it will force the adjudication of your I-751.

2. Yes, the 90 day window applies, just like it did for the I-751.  

 

Good luck... and let me know if you want to "Skype study" together for the civics test!

You've answered my questions too!

 

I will become eligible to file N-400 around mid July (i.e. 90 days prior to 3 year residence), but seeing as - like everyone else in this thread - my renewed GC is taking its time, I was wondering what to do if I don't receive my new GC by that time.

 

Btw, what is the "Skype Study"? This sounds like something I would want to do when I get to that time.

 

On 2/8/2017 at 3:53 PM, SunflowerinATL said:

Everyone says to apply for citizenship, but I want to keep my EU citizenship. Are you a dual citizen? Wondering if I should get a lawyer to become a dual citizen? 

On 2/9/2017 at 0:45 AM, nightingalejules said:

You shouldn't need a lawyer any more than you need one for any other part of this process. As long as your country allows you to have dual citizenship, the US will allow it too. They just don't acknowledge other citizenships. Once you are a US citizen, that's all you are, as far as the US is concerned.

This is true. It all depends on your home country. Some countries will allow you to keep your home citizenship when taking a new one, other countries will not allow it (i.e. you will lose your home citizenship when taking a new one). Other countries (like in my case, South Africa), you need to seek permission from government  if you want to retain your home citizenship when taking a new one, otherwise you will lose your home citizenship.

 

I also intend to keep my home citizenship, so I have applied and South Africa has granted me this permission to take another citizenship without losing the home citizenship.

 

You can read more about it, and see your home country's rules here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_citizenship

Edited February 10, 2017 by silvershadow369
Combined posts

[silvershadow369 18]

delete me

Edited February 10, 2017 by silvershadow369