Chicago N400 filers

[himanshu.7710 14]

On 11/16/2018 at 4:26 PM, Lu & Soso said:

 

 

Thank you very much, DonaDony and himanshu.7710! The ceremony was held on the third floor, and the seating was based on arrival. Those who arrived earlier, were seated in the front rows and were the first to enter the auditorium. I arrived exactly at 9 am and was in the last row. When we were called in, we submitted the Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (Form N-445), whose back comprise of a questionnaire with 8 YES or NO questions about your current status about marriage, travel, criminal activity, subversive political organization association, change of mind in bearing arms for USA when required to, and committing criminal activities, like illegal gambling, prostitution, trafficking, being a drunkard, and lying to obtain immigration benefits. You are required to sign thereafter. When called into the auditorium, you are required to submit Form N-445 and the 10-year GC (I only had mine for 2 weeks). You are then given a number that determines who you are in the line, to sort out the Naturalization Certificate. When we were all settled, and on each chair was a large envelope with several paperwork. Enclosed was a card with National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, etc. There was also passport application form, Naturalization Certificate Holder. We were notified that our family members were next to be seated. When family members were seated, the ceremony started (this took an hour). It started by showing us a short video that gave us a glimpse of the history of immigrants. We then introduced to the speaker of the day, and what a heartwarming speech about our journey to naturalization. We learnt that there were 129 of us to be naturalized. After we took an Oath by pledging allegiance to the flag and the USA, we were then deemed citizens. The atmosphere was so conducive, that taking photos was allowed throughout the process, as long it was done inside the auditorium. Finally, the front row was presented their Naturalization Certificate and then from the second row, we were lined up to receive our certificate and family member could come forward to take photos of the event. When everyone was done, it was the end of the ceremony and the new citizens who opted to take photos with the speaker, MC and next to the flags on stage, were taking turns around the podium. After finishing, we exited and I registered to vote and my family and I left the building.  The ceremony took 50 minutes, and the whole process took 1 hour 50 minutes from entering the auditorium to receiving the certificate. I hope that I shared enough details to capture the event for those future attendants.

Thanks for detailed process :)

 

Usually how much is the gap between the interview and the oath ceremony? I have my interview on 11/21 in 2 days. 

[kdg 24]

34 minutes ago, himanshu.7710 said:

Thanks for detailed process

 

Usually how much is the gap between the interview and the oath ceremony? I have my interview on 11/21 in 2 days. 

This depends very much on where you live. If you live in Chicago or the immediate suburbs it is pretty quick, within 2 weeks usually. If you live elsewhere in Illinois you may have a few months wait.  All my interviews were in Chicago but as I live in mid West Illinois I waited 3 months for my ceremony. Good luck!

[Cougarfalcon83 20]

Hi. I will be filing my N400 within the next 2 weeks? USCIS says 10 -15 months for processing. Is that the general guideline or people getting it naturalized sooner? I live in the city.

[kdg 24]

10 minutes ago, Cougarfalcon83 said:

Hi. I will be filing my N400 within the next 2 weeks? USCIS says 10 -15 months for processing. Is that the general guideline or people getting it naturalized sooner? I live in the city.

I filed Novemeber 2017 and interviewed June 2018 with ceremony September 2018. If you live in the city your ceremony will be much sooner, so I would say time scale is about spot on.

[ordjnb 40]

Where did you guys do your biometrics? I love in downtown Chicago and assumed it would be done in Congress Parkway but my notice says I have to go to Burbank, 18 miles away .

 

Cant I just get them done downtown? 

[Greencardchicago 38]

54 minutes ago, ordjnb said:

Where did you guys do your biometrics? I love in downtown Chicago and assumed it would be done in Congress Parkway but my notice says I have to go to Burbank, 18 miles away .

 

Cant I just get them done downtown? 

I have no idea... I live North Chicago and they sent me to the application center in Norridge (close to O'Hare) 

[Lu_So 32]

9 hours ago, ordjnb said:

Where did you guys do your biometrics? I love in downtown Chicago and assumed it would be done in Congress Parkway but my notice says I have to go to Burbank, 18 miles away .

 

Cant I just get them done downtown? 

Hi @ordjnb! I would advise you to visit your nearest Application Service Center and show them your Biometrics request letter and explain why you came there. I would recommend you visit your local ASC days before your appointment. Normally, if they are not busy, they welcome anyone. There are many VJ members who have gone through the same, check this: 

 

 

[himanshu.7710 14]

So, I can say I am 90% done with the process now, yay!

 

I reached at 9:40 and my scheduled time was 10:45, the front desk told me your wait time will start aftere your schedule time. About 11:00AM IO came and called my ticket number. 

 

Interview was straight forward, Ms. Parker was the nicest interview officer I can imagine of.  She asked for my passport, GC and drivers license. 

 

She asked me 6 questions, I remember few as follows

 

1. President for how many years

2. Longest River

3. Speaker of house

4. Independence day

 

Read and write "When is flag day"

 

There were few changes after I filled application,  my address, an international trip and my job company. Went over all these changes, and finalize those.  and thats it. She said congratiulation I am recommending you for approval but the paper I receive says "still not approved or something" and she said its because she has to get approval from her supervisor and there is noting I should be worried of. Accodring to her I will be getting the oath letter in 4-6 weeks. 

 

It was less than 20 mins of total time. 

 

I would like to thank each and everty one here on Visa Journey.  

 

Let me know guys if you have any specific question I will try to answer those.

[ssmhty 14]

On 11/18/2018 at 9:16 PM, Greencardchicago said:

Hello ssmhty, when did you apply for N400? 

I applied I751 in early May 2017, applied N400 in early May 2018.

[ssmhty 14]

On 11/19/2018 at 7:09 AM, Lu & Soso said:

Thanks @ssmhty, that's very kind of you! This process can be very frustrating because it hasn't been definite, and other members' experiences going through the same, is not only can be calming but brings a glimpse of hope. Nothing as excruciating as a process that you can only do your part, and have to wait indefinitely for others to decide your fate. I, however, do believe that this process has started shaping up. For instance, it has taken you exactly 7 months to get your N-400 interview in Chicago, that's what happened to me and a number of Chicago filers. Your I-751, although pending, chances are, shall be adjudicated with your N-400. Make sure to bring your spouse with,  updated documents, latest shared (taxes (last 3 years including 2017), bank statements, insurance, photos together (with friends, family), utility bills) and whatever updated from your last I-751 and N-400 submission. Make copies, because you don't want to have a decision delayed because you only brought originals, not all copies (like me, no tax and recent joint account bank statements copies). If you are missing something that you can retrieve from a computer and print it out, ask to submit it the same day (within an hour). There is a UPS not far from Immigration offices, and can log on to their computers and print whatever is needed. Go back and submit it, and in my case, status changed within an hour. I believe that you'll have everything handy and won't have to go through that.  You'll do just fine, nothing to panic about, just be ready with your documentation. You'll probably have your oath, late December or early January 2019! I wish your the best in this final lap of your immigration journey! Happy holidays!

Thank you so much @Lu & Soso like always!

[qiaoxiaopang 2]

UPDATE..................

 

My wife passed her US Citizenship interview yesterday. We were in and out literally like less than 45 or 30 minutes. It was super fast PASS. We had a ton of documentation and I don't think the Officer even looked at everything but could be wrong because I wasn't in there as I couldn't get into the parking lot I reserved. The immigration officer asked her the usual ten questions which she somehow couldn't remember.

 

She does remember the officer asking her if the president dies, who becomes president?  And who can vote in......election.....

Then she read 1 sentence and wrote 1 sentence about Old ABE Lincoln. 

 

Anyway, anyone who is going to the USCIS in Chicago downtown should seriously find another parking lot if you see a standstill of cars at a parking lot... It cost me about 15-25 minutes or so just waiting at the standstill. Waste of time!!!

 

Cars were literally at a standstill for several minutes without moving. Finally decided to cancel that SPOTHERO reservation and find another lot nearby. Difference in cost was about $9 but better that than a parking ticket or TOW fee. 

 

Anyways, another friend of mines who was also going through the N400 process was not so lucky to get an automatic pass like my wife did but received a letter in the mail with her oath ceremony. At the interview, she answered all the questions and pass civics test but could not receive an automatic pass. Instead she got the usual we are unable to make a decision at the moment but will send you a letter BLAHBLAH blah. She received a letter literally like after 6 or 7 days later with her oath ceremony scheduled. 

Edited December 5, 2018 by qiaoxiaopang

[silvershadow369 18]

On 11/20/2018 at 9:39 PM, ordjnb said:

Where did you guys do your biometrics? I love in downtown Chicago and assumed it would be done in Congress Parkway but my notice says I have to go to Burbank, 18 miles away .

 

Cant I just get them done downtown? 

The Congress Parkway office is for USCIS administration, it's not an Application Support Center.  You can visit this page to see the closest ASC to you. There were ones on the north and south sides of Chicago (I've been to both), but I'm guessing those offices have been closed down.

[ssmhty 14]

Hey guys, I had my I-751 and N-400 combo interview today, it went very well and much faster than I thought, the whole interview was less than 30 minutes! They didn't even ask my husband to get interviewed with me. Basic questions such as where and how we met, when I came to the U.S. the first time and why, when was the last time I entered America were asked, the interviewer was very professional. Then they asked the naturalization questions such as who was the first president, who is the current state governor, where is the Statue of Liberty and so on. At last I got a notification that the N-400 application was recommended to approve and submitted for quality review. The next step is to wait for letter of Oath Ceremony schedule! The interviewer did mention I may have to wait for 3 to 4 weeks till I receive the letter since they will close for one week due to holidays.

 

I submitted my I-751 early May 2017, and N-400 mid of May 2018, got interview schedule notice in early November.

 

For all of you who are still waiting, good luck and don't worry too much! I also want to thank everyone who shared their case update, asked questions or answered questions. Happy holidays to all of you!

[Jasmine202 1]

Hello every one 

Im applying online based on marriage / early filing 

So in the begining in the eligibiliy they ask me if im a lpr for at least 3 years which im not yet since im earlyfiling 

Should I pick this option?

[himanshu.7710 14]

2 hours ago, Jasmine202 said:

Hello every one 

Im applying online based on marriage / early filing 

So in the begining in the eligibiliy they ask me if im a lpr for at least 3 years which im not yet since im earlyfiling 

Should I pick this option?

Yes go for it, i think u can file 3 years - 60 days.

 

Edited December 11, 2018 by himanshu.7710