Filing N400 online, anyone?

[AK_2014 113]

As to whether online filing is faster or not: we're just one data point, but we filed online and our interview (Chicago) has been scheduled for way sooner than we would have expected, given that other VJ members who filed on paper several months before us are having interviews scheduled around the same time as ours.

[IPv6Freely 64]

1 hour ago, vilaincoco said:

By the way, for question #6, what did you guy reply? A business trip, or vacation doesn't count as leaving the US right?

Yes it does. Every time you leave the country counts. 

1 hour ago, AK_2014 said:

As to whether online filing is faster or not: we're just one data point, but we filed online and our interview (Chicago) has been scheduled for way sooner than we would have expected, given that other VJ members who filed on paper several months before us are having interviews scheduled around the same time as ours.

Just look at the August filers timelines. It's pretty clear that online is faster, as it should be. 

[Spout 9]

There's a difference between taking a trip and leaving the country (for good). I know we have to report all the trips in the N400 application.

My question was more: when you apply online, they ask eligibility questions, would answering yes to "Have you left the US in the past 5 years?" make you ineligible to online filing (depending on how you understand the question)?

[minnerva65 2]

Hi everyone, is it just me or is the online system down? I have been trying to upload evidences in the past few days but failed every time. I switched over to a different browser but it didn't help either. Thanks

[IPv6Freely 64]

2 minutes ago, vilaincoco said:

There's a difference between taking a trip and leaving the country (for good). I know we have to report all the trips in the N400 application.

My question was more: when you apply online, they ask eligibility questions, would answering yes to "Have you left the US in the past 5 years?" make you ineligible to online filing (depending on how you understand the question)?

There is not a difference between taking a trip and leaving the country for good with regards to the eligibility question. As for your question, the answer is no it would not make you ineligible. 

[Spout 9]

Ok, thank you IPv6Freely, it's helpful.

[Nikkosan 127]

On 6/21/2017 at 7:18 PM, Texaco5 said:

OK, I just logged into my account and here are the questions that it asks to establish eligibility:

 

1. Are one or both of your parents a US Citizen (Yes/No)

2. How Old are you? (18 or older/Under 18)

3. Are you a member of the US armed forces (Yes/No) - includes US Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and certain components of the National Guard and the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve.

4. Are you a lawful permanent resident? (Yes/No) - someone who has been granted legal permanent resident status in the United State laws under US immigration laws and normally has a Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Card or referred to as a Green Card)

5. When did you become a Permanent Resident? (Before September 17, 2012/Between September 17 2012 and September 17 2014/Neither of these apply to me) - The date may be located on the front or back of your Permanent Resident Card depending on when the card was issued.

6. Have you left the US in the past 5 years (Yes/No) - (I think that this doesn't include business travel or vacation travel but it looking for long periods of absence from the US)

7. Have you moved in the past 3 months (Yes/No)

 

After I answered these questions, if indicated I may be eligible to apply for naturalization since I have been a lawful permanent resident for more than 5 years however your own circumstances and answers to these questions will determine whether you are eligible.

 

Hope this is helpful.

Concerning the "eligibility" questions:

 

If we are already certain that we're eligible to file for citizenship, couldn't we just skip it and click on the "Go directly to the Application for Naturalization (N-400)"?

 

It seems obvious to me, but perhaps I'm missing something?

[Going through 5,671]

1 hour ago, Nikkosan said:

Concerning the "eligibility" questions:

 

If we are already certain that we're eligible to file for citizenship, couldn't we just skip it and click on the "Go directly to the Application for Naturalization (N-400)"?

 

It seems obvious to me, but perhaps I'm missing something?

The eligibility questions are more for the eligibility of filing online----not eligibility for the filing for citizenship...two different things  

In some cases, not all applicants eligible for citizenship are able to apply using the online system and must instead file a paper application (for example, someone applying for a fee waiver, or someone using a legal representative are not eligible to complete the online application).  When I applied online in July, the eligibility questions specifically asked me if I was applying for a fee waiver or using a representative to fill out my application.

 

The eligibility questions take up about 2 minutes of time answering them though, so not too much of a hassle.

[Nikkosan 127]

14 minutes ago, Going through said:

The eligibility questions are more for the eligibility of filing online----not eligibility for the filing for citizenship...two different things  

In some cases, not all applicants eligible for citizenship are able to apply using the online system and must instead file a paper application (for example, someone applying for a fee waiver, or someone using a legal representative are not eligible to complete the online application).  When I applied online in July, the eligibility questions specifically asked me if I was applying for a fee waiver or using a representative to fill out my application.

 

The eligibility questions take up about 2 minutes of time answering them though, so not too much of a hassle.

Thanks, GoingThrough, for chiming in. 

 

Good observations RE the fee waiver and attorney representative, however, special situations not contemplated on the online form aside, I think, based on the wording found on the website, that is safe to say applicants can use the online form, provided that all other conditions to file for citizenship are met. 

 

I say based on the wording because of what the website says:

 

"These questions are solely intended to help you determine whether you may be eligible to submit the application for Naturalization (N-400)."

 

Nowhere does it mention that the questions will help you determine whether you are able to file for citizenship ONLINE. 

 

So provided one is actually eligible to apply (3-5 year rule; continuos presence; etc.), I say they could. 

 

I'm saying this mainly because of question 5. I'll be personally eligible to apply on November 1 (3 year anniversary on January 30 2018), however, I have read that the dates on question 5 only move from time to time and therefore it may still deem me unable to file based on the wrong assumption that my eligibility window hasn't opened yet. 

 

I have heard of others who ran through that issue and simply bypassed the system by clicking on the link at the bottom of the eligibility check page. 

 

Anyway, appreciate you taking the time to answer, I think brainstorming here on the forum is beneficial to all! 

[Going through 5,671]

Oh yeah, most people are eligible to file online, I agree.

 

I think their wording on the https://my.uscis.gov/exploremyoptions/us_citizen_through_naturalization page about "USCIS is currently allowing a small number of applicants to submit their Application for Naturalization (N-400) online. If you are not part of this small group, we will redirect you to the webpage where you can download the paper application." gives the impression that not everyone will be though, so they want you to go through the eligibility page just in case.

 

Yep, if the window doesn't move in terms of the green card date, it's easy to skip that anyhow since the date of submitting the application online is the only date that really counts.

 

Best of luck with your filing!  Hope it goes quickly for you  

[Spout 9]

Thank you guys so much for the detailed answers!

[IPv6Freely 64]

There is no good reason to skip the eligibility questions. 

[Texaco5 32]

On 10/8/2017 at 6:37 PM, Ben & Katie said:

Going though the online application and I see nowhere to upload a picture of yourself.  Is this required?  I know for the paper submission you need to include passport style photos

 

They will take a digital photo that conforms to their requirements at the biometrics appointment which will be scheduled a few weeks after they receive your application.

I've read about some people being asked for a photo at the interview, so it is worth having them to hand at that time and if they don't need them then, you can use them for your US passport application, so it isn't money wasted.

Edited October 25, 2017 by Texaco5
Someone already answered the question

[Texaco5 32]

On 10/24/2017 at 8:55 AM, vilaincoco said:

NY field office is busy too, but online filers seem to get an interview date pretty quickly.

By the way, for question #6, what did you guy reply? A business trip, or vacation doesn't count as leaving the US right?

I think you have to answer the question truthfully, they are trying to establish whether you have left the US for extended periods of time and I think they then ask a further question about the number of days the trip may have lasted for. I believe I answered Yes and the  went on to answer the sub question that may have come up next about how long the trip was for

[Nikkosan 127]

19 hours ago, Going through said:

Oh yeah, most people are eligible to file online, I agree.

 

I think their wording on the https://my.uscis.gov/exploremyoptions/us_citizen_through_naturalization page about "USCIS is currently allowing a small number of applicants to submit their Application for Naturalization (N-400) online. If you are not part of this small group, we will redirect you to the webpage where you can download the paper application." gives the impression that not everyone will be though, so they want you to go through the eligibility page just in case.

 

Yep, if the window doesn't move in terms of the green card date, it's easy to skip that anyhow since the date of submitting the application online is the only date that really counts.

 

Best of luck with your filing!  Hope it goes quickly for you  

Thanks, Going through.

 

I do agree with you, in this case, it seems as if they don't want just anyone to file online (and Q.5 seems to corroborate that).

 

I'm logging in every other day to see how the dates move, and they do move, so I think, for peace of mind, that I will simply wait until my GC expiration dates are comprised within that time interval.

 

And thanks for the good wishes! I could only hope it goes nearly as fast as yours!