N-400 May 2017 Filers

[FODU 1]

On 12/16/2017 at 4:09 PM, FinalDestination said:

I have not been a member of this blog, but you guys have helped and comforted me while I waited for my interview. I have been checking this blog frequently from the time I applied till today. Therefore, I would like repay you all by passing on my experience, especially for those who are still waiting for their interviews. This is a long review but hope it helps.

 

My Timeline

 

5/2/17      Mailed  N-400

5/4/17      Received in Phoenix

5/15/17    FP Scheduled

5/30/17    FP completed 

7/20/17    In line for Interview

11/3/17    Interview Scheduled at the Santa Ana, CA Field Office

12/12/17  Interview Appointment – Approved

12/14/17  Online Status changed to Oath Ceremony information will be mailed

 

My story

The wait –as you all know- was loooong, just over 7 months - 224 days to be exact :). But working fulltime and keeping busy with family and friends, and checking Visa Journey regularly made the passing of time bearable. I know it is difficult but please be patient and your day will come.

 

The end to my journey was quite weird and very quick. My appointment time was at 1:15pm. I arrived at the USCIS office and placed my appointment letter in the tray at 12:50pm. My immigration officer (IO) called my name out around 1:10pm and I was all done and out of the building by 1:30pm. My IO was all business, no small talk or even a smile until the very end. We walked in to the office and passed a photocopy machine. He wanted my documents so that he can make copies, but I informed him that I already had made copies, so, we proceeded to walk in to his office.

 

As we entered the IO’s office, he wanted me to stay standing, placed me under oath and then asked me to sit. He wanted my ID, GC, and Passport along with the copies I made and then asked me to place my folder - with all the documents I took - on the chair beside me. He took a photo and wanted me to place my left and right index fingers on a scanner, for biometric verification.

 

Thereafter, without warning, he rattled off six questions (I honestly don’t recall them as it was sooooo quick), wanted me to read and write a sentence, went through my N400 application verbally while he was marking and stamping the pages, and completing stuff on the computer. I had wanted a name change and therefore, he printed 2 pages with the change, asked me to verify and sign. Towards the end of the questioning he wanted to know if I had 2 passport photos – which I did and handed it to him. He asked me if it was recent and then stapled it to my application. He asked me to sign more pages and worked on his computer some more. He closed the file and scanned it and placed it aside (while I sat silently).

 

After a couple minutes, he turns around and says, congratulation, you application has been recommended for approval and you will be notified of your oath ceremony by mail. He said that the ceremony will either be in December or January – this is when he smiled. Initially I thought the officer was going to be very tough and a hardass , but to my surprise, he was very professional and like I said, all business – which was AWESOME!!

 

Can I suggest the following to those preparing for the interview:

 

1.      Please go through your application and refresh your memory as it has been a whiles since you applied - My OI skipped over questions, but I answered all the questions he asked without any hesitation

2.      Please take the original and copies of:

• Passport -  with copies of the main page and all the pages that have an entry/exit stamp
• ID or DL
• Green Card – with copies of both front and back
• 2 recent passport sized photos – in case they ask for it
• All documents applicable to your case – citations, marriage/divorce certificates, tax returns, school transcripts, rental or mortgage receipts, selective services letter, etc.,

3.      Memorize all the 100 questions as it could be anyone of them

4.      Practice the writing parts

5.      Be over prepared - I memorized my entire application but as mentioned earlier, the IO had a very few questions… but I was ready. Note that all IOs may have their own style of interviewing

6.      Go to your interview professionally dressed as you would for a job interview

7.      When you get to your interview, be relaxed, courteous, and professional

8.      At the interview, when answering questions, be precise and don’t rant, be clear and to the point. You don’t want to give information that is not required. Keep it simple

 

I wish you all the very best and hope your interview day comes sooner rather than later and I hope it goes smoothly.

 

GOOD LUCK!!!

This is so helpful, thanks. My interview is coming up next month.

[Waitinggame16 91]

17 hours ago, jabbal said:

yes yes

 

 On February 14, 2018, we scheduled an interview for your Form N-400

Great news!!!! 

[seyda & zack 1]

Finally I got my interview notice yesterday March 20th 2018, good luck everyone....

[ChicagoAugustFile 10]

21 hours ago, jabbal said:

yes yes

 

 On February 14, 2018, we scheduled an interview for your Form N-400

What's your priority date? I know you sent your package on May 10th, but what's the priority date? 

[jabbal 21]

22 hours ago, ChicagoAugustFile said:

What's your priority date? I know you sent your package on May 10th, but what's the priority date? 

May 1st, I am under 5 year rule., priority date means when I am eligible for citizenship right ?? 5 years - 90 days ?? If yes, then My priority date is May 1.

 

 

[jabbal 21]

On 2/17/2018 at 2:54 PM, Waitinggame16 said:

Great news!!!! 

Thank you Waitinggame 16, When should I expect interview letter in mail ?? I know you are from chicago too so just checking afetr update on uscis case status, After how many Business days you received actual Piece of mail in the mail box??

 

Thank you and good luck

[Steelers1020 64]

26 minutes ago, jabbal said:

May 1st, I am under 5 year rule., priority date means when I am eligible for citizenship right ?? 5 years - 90 days ?? If yes, then My priority date is May 1.

 

 

Priority Date is on the 1st notice you received after you mailed your application. 

[jabbal 21]

11 minutes ago, Steelers1020 said:

Priority Date is on the 1st notice you received after you mailed your application. 

Notice date it shows me 05/19/2017 , I sent my packet on 05/10/2017 and received notice date on 05/19/2017.

Thanks

[jabbal 21]

On 2/13/2018 at 12:09 PM, topoftherock2013 said:

For those who lost their interview letters or just never got them despite knowing an interview is scheduled:

 

Call and ask them to fax it to you. I called today and my interview is tomorrow. They faxed me the copy of the letter within 15 mins. The officer also told me it is at the discretion of the field office if they let you in or not without the letter.

 

It also specifically says on the letter to bring the letter with you.

 

Thanks!

Thanks topoftherocks2013, but can you please give me which number you called ??

 

 

[ChicagoAugustFile 10]

@Steelers1020 you are next in line for the interview being scheduled. You said your priority date was may 25th correct? 

[Booze&Blues 10]

On 2/17/2018 at 4:59 PM, seyda & zack said:

Finally I got my interview notice yesterday March 20th 2018, good luck everyone....

Excellent! 

I meant to ask you, did you ever call customer service, went for infopass, or inquire online before your status changed from fingerprint to inline for interview? Or did it happen on its own?

 

Best of luck on your interview date I'm sure you'll do exceptionally well.

[nitrous_guy 23]

On February 14, 2018, we scheduled an interview for your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, Receipt Number NBC*00779****. We will mail you an interview notice. Please follow any instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

 

Early May Chicago filer, still waiting on the mail to come

[tkdwls0131 20]

Its been long since I am out from this post. I just got an USCIS Online update for "In Line for the Interview". My Fingerprint was done on 5/22/2017 and just updated on 2/15/2018. Its been whole 9 months of background check. Exactly 1.5 yrs ago, my Petition for Conditional Removal's Fingerprint background check was done within like 3 weeks. 

[nitrous_guy 23]

Our interview letter came for 03/21 for Chicago. 

[deborabr 16]

I finally received a text message saying my case is in line for interview. This is the first time my case was updated online since I submitted my package back in May 2017. Does anyone knows how long it takes for them to actually schedule the interview now?