Filing N400 online, anyone?

[Calikitkat 16]

Hi, guys! I will be applying for citizenship online on November 27th. I have already prepared my package for upload. I just have a few questions. 

 

1. For the question: Have you left the US within the past 5 years? should you mention all the trips abroad you took? I have only been outside the US for vacation, a maximum of 2 weeks per year. If you answer yes to that question, can you still apply online?

 

2. What format of files can you upload? Only PDF? Or also JPEG and GIF? My scans are currently in different formats? is there a size limit of the attachments?

 

3. What is the best way to organize the files you upload? for example, should I combine all tax transcripts into one PDF? all bank statements in one PDF? how about the green card? should I combine it into one PDF with the extensions: the NOA letter of extension and the I-551 stamp in my passport?

 

4. What kind of other evidence do you guys upload? Should I upload plane tickets from our trips?

 

If you have any other advice regarding the upload, thank you for sharing

 

[SamBillz 23]

On 11/7/2017 at 9:09 PM, Marina-Del said:

Hey all,

 

So I just checked out online account after having done biometrics and it says we can expect 12 months (November 2018!!) before they schedule the interview. Based on many of your signatures, it seems like you were done much faster than this! Is this just what they say for everyone and in a couple months we'll get an interview date potentially, or will it really be likely 12 months before we hear anything else?

 

Thanks!

Don’t rely on the estimated time as it hasn’t matched for any of us over here. I recently got scheduled for my interview which is next month and the timeline still says October 2018. Best of luck!

[SamBillz 23]

45 minutes ago, Calikitkat said:

Hi, guys! I will be applying for citizenship online on November 27th. I have already prepared my package for upload. I just have a few questions. 

 

1. For the question: Have you left the US within the past 5 years? should you mention all the trips abroad you took? I have only been outside the US for vacation, a maximum of 2 weeks per year. If you answer yes to that question, can you still apply online?

 

2. What format of files can you upload? Only PDF? Or also JPEG and GIF? My scans are currently in different formats? is there a size limit of the attachments?

 

3. What is the best way to organize the files you upload? for example, should I combine all tax transcripts into one PDF? all bank statements in one PDF? how about the green card? should I combine it into one PDF with the extensions: the NOA letter of extension and the I-551 stamp in my passport?

 

4. What kind of other evidence do you guys upload? Should I upload plane tickets from our trips?

 

If you have any other advice regarding the upload, thank you for sharing

 

@Calikitkat here is my feedback:

1. Any international trips that you have taken in the past 5 years should be mentioned. They only raise a flag if you stayed outside of the US for a period of over 6 months on a single trip. It beats me what determines the eligibility to be able to apply online so the best way is to answer the questions that they ask and at the end, it should let you know if you can fill your application online or not. 

 

2. I would recommend using one file format. I did all in PDF format.

 

3. It’s better to be organized so having all your tax transcripts in a single PDF makes sense. Same thing for bank statements and such. 

 

4. Marriage cert; employment letter; benefits documents; insurances; so on and so forth. Under 5 year rule, the required docs are not a lot but whatever you feel sufficient. I would say to have more than less. 

 

5. Make sure to upload all documents in one go. The system is known for some glitches and you might end up with duplicates uploaded. Don’t even worry about removing duplicates but make sure that you have all the necessary documents uploaded.

 

Cover letter is not required at all but it won’t hurt. I actually included with the list of documents that I was uploading so if there is any system glitches, I had some sort of proof that I did upload all the documents. At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice.

 

Good luck! 

[Spout 9]

Yeah, those 12 months seem kind of hard-coded (although I read it fluctuates). I also have a similar estimate (December 2018!).

[Going through 5,671]

52 minutes ago, Calikitkat said:

1. For the question: Have you left the US within the past 5 years? should you mention all the trips abroad you took? I have only been outside the US for vacation, a maximum of 2 weeks per year. If you answer yes to that question, can you still apply online?

Mention all trips internationally for the past 5 years (or 3 years if applying under the 3-year rule).  Yes, you are still eligible to file online.

 

53 minutes ago, Calikitkat said:

What format of files can you upload? Only PDF? Or also JPEG and GIF? My scans are currently in different formats? is there a size limit of the attachments?

Different formats are fine, they don't all have to be the same format.  The online application accepts PDF, JPEG, Word Doc and a couple of other types.

 

55 minutes ago, Calikitkat said:

What is the best way to organize the files you upload? for example, should I combine all tax transcripts into one PDF? all bank statements in one PDF? how about the green card? should I combine it into one PDF with the extensions: the NOA letter of extension and the I-551 stamp in my passport?

Up to you, and how well you want to organize it.  I would suggest different uploads for different types of evidence with descriptive file names (ie. JaneDoe Greencard, JaneDoe 2016 Tax), this way information can be located quicker when processing your application.  Separate uploads also help you out in keeping track of what exactly you have submitted to USCIS as well, instead of just one big file with everything in it.

 

58 minutes ago, Calikitkat said:

What kind of other evidence do you guys upload? Should I upload plane tickets from our trips?

Whatever else you wish USCIS to consider when processing your case.  I uploaded the bio page of my foreign passport (figured it would help make travel confirmation faster on their end), and my State ID (to further show proof of residency).

 

 

[bahamamama234 25]

for applying under 3 year rule:

 

Did anyone upload the receipts of their ROC NOA?

 is it necessary ?

 

Also, credit card offers to same adress/shipping labels/ photos those are all ''add on'' evidences that don't carry much weight in an application and can go without correct?

 

Is marriage registration in the foreign country a good document to upload or just bring to interview? tks!

 

[Ken Adams 41]

1 hour ago, bahamamama234 said:

for applying under 3 year rule:

 

Did anyone upload the receipts of their ROC NOA?

 is it  necessary ?  No idea. Did you receive 10 yrs card?

 

Also, credit card offers to same adress/shipping labels/ photos those are all ''add on'' evidences that don't carry much weight in an application and can go without correct? - I don't think advertisements add much values, It could be better if you attach Utility Bills, Credit card bills etc..

 

Is marriage registration in the foreign country a good document to upload or just bring to interview? tks! - Marriage Certificate from foreign country is valid document, if it is not in English make sure that document should be translated into English and notirized.

 

 

 

[Nikkosan 127]

15 hours ago, SamBillz said:

Don’t rely on the estimated time as it hasn’t matched for any of us over here. I recently got scheduled for my interview which is next month and the timeline still says October 2018. Best of luck!

When did you apply? 

 

I'm browsing through my phone now and it doesn't let me see signatures (in case you have one). Also checked your timeline but it's not up to date. 

[SamBillz 23]

3 hours ago, Nikkosan said:

When did you apply? 

 

I'm browsing through my phone now and it doesn't let me see signatures (in case you have one). Also checked your timeline but it's not up to date. 

Sorry, I never got to setup my signature. I applied on July 16th.

[Nikkosan 127]

2 minutes ago, SamBillz said:

Sorry, I never got to setup my signature. I applied on July 16th.

No worries, thanks for the feedback! July to December: around 5 months, that's good!

[SamBillz 23]

Just now, Nikkosan said:

No worries, thanks for the feedback! July to December: around 5 months, that's good!

You’re welcome! 5 months is definitely not bad. I wasn’t expecting till next year but oh well, I ain’t complaining. What’s your status? Have you filed yet?

[Nikkosan 127]

Just now, SamBillz said:

You’re welcome! 5 months is definitely not bad. I wasn’t expecting till next year but oh well, I ain’t complaining. What’s your status? Have you filed yet?

Absolutely! I hope I get to be so lucky!

 

I just filed (online) at the beginning of the month and will have biometrics taken on 11/20. March next year would be great...I don't ask for much! HAHAHA

[SamBillz 23]

18 minutes ago, Nikkosan said:

Absolutely! I hope I get to be so lucky!

 

I just filed (online) at the beginning of the month and will have biometrics taken on 11/20. March next year would be great...I don't ask for much! HAHAHA

What I have noticed is that majority of the cases (there is always exception to the rule) are wrapping up in about 6 months or so. That is also USCIS average timeframe for N400. Good luck to you!

[Spout 9]

It also depends on the field office...

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do

[bahamamama234 25]

16 hours ago, Ken Adams said:

 

Hi thank you for your reply! No I don't have the 10 year gc yet, just the conditional 2 year marriage based, by ROC has been pending since october 2016...

 

i am applying under 3 year rule.

 

I wanted to submit the foreign marriage registration but there won't be enough time to translate it so should i just bring it to interview?

 

thanks!

 

Also would you happen to know, if I can apply on the 12th does it means 1 am of the 12th I can already apply ? thanks!!