N400 5-year Interview--just got my date, need tips

[Going through 5,671]

I just discovered that my case status changed and I have received my Interview Appointment PDF notice (still waiting for the paper one to arrive by mail).  You can see my timeline below in green---I submitted my application online, and my interview is scheduled near the end of September at NY Federal Plaza (Queens Office).

 

There are a LOT of threads on 3-year marriage interviews, but not a whole lot of current info on what the interviews for 5-year applicants are like.  I'm hoping those of you who have completed it under the 5-year rule can give me a bit of insight on what the interview will mostly focus on.  The 3-year one is all about the marriage, I would imagine---but what about for the rest of us?

 

Some background:  I have 1 less than stellar moment from 1993, that USCIS was already made aware of (and received documentation for) when I filed for my AOS back in 2005.  I will be bringing original and certified documentation pertaining to that incident again to this interview, and disclosed it once more on my N400 application.  After 1993, not even a traffic violation in either the USA or any other country.  My GC was originally filed for from marriage to a USC while on a tourist visa, and I adjusted status from within the USA.  I was previously employed by the NYC Department of Education up until 2 months ago when I resigned due to familial obligations.

 

I have still prepared a very thick binder of evidence to bring for proof of residency, travel, bills, W2s, employment verification, along with the required tax return transcripts, etc.

 

 I'm curious, though, how the interview goes for 5-year filers and what the IO mostly focuses on, by consensus?  Thanks!

[marcusa 31]

Filed in July 14, 2017

interview notification on Aug, 17,2017

 

it is just so lucky of you and so fast. in your case. 

 

for 5 years applicants, i would recommend you bring everything you have to the interview. 

• ID: passport, driver license, 
• proof of residency(driver license)
• travel ( you passport stamps is more useful than this )
• bills( optional )
• very last Banks statement copies,( optional as well )
• W2s, (it works the same as Tax transcript )
• employment verification( bring your employee badge instead of the letter ), 
• tax return transcripts(past 5 years tax transcripts )
• any traffic citation/ticket and payment receipt
• ...

[marcusa 31]

in your case, it's amazing that you passed the background check so fast !  

fingerprint on 8/8/17 and FBI cleared in a week. 

 

a few optional documents here:

• marriage certificate if you are married
• green card 

Edited August 18, 2017 by marcusa

[xyz12345 260]

13 minutes ago, marcusa said:

Filed in July 14, 2017

interview notification on Aug, 17,2017

 

it is just so lucky of you and so fast. in your case. 

 

for 5 years applicants, i would recommend you bring everything you have to the interview. 

• ID: passport, driver license, 
• proof of residency(driver license)
• travel ( you passport stamps is more useful than this )
• bills( optional )
• very last Banks statement copies,( optional as well )
• W2s, (it works the same as Tax transcript )
• employment verification( bring your employee badge instead of the letter ), 
• tax return transcripts(past 5 years tax transcripts )
• any traffic citation/ticket and payment receipt
• ...

And here I am thinking that, among the list, I only plan to bring irs income tax transcripts for proof of payment of taxes/residency, old passports for proof of overseas travel/residency and any traffic citation/ticket (I always carry my drivers license anyway).

 

May I ask why do we need employment verification or employee badge?

[bonjour2017 15]

I'm still reeling from how you go from submission of N-400 to interview letter in about a month!  Fastest FBI check ever!  You have been on the forum a lot giving everyone advice. You sound like you have your documentation together.  Just review your N-400 responses because your application responses will be reviewed. You'll be OK.

[Going through 5,671]

35 minutes ago, marcusa said:

Filed in July 14, 2017

interview notification on Aug, 17,2017

 

it is just so lucky of you and so fast. in your case. 

 

for 5 years applicants, i would recommend you bring everything you have to the interview. 

• ID: passport, driver license, 
• proof of residency(driver license)
• travel ( you passport stamps is more useful than this )
• bills( optional )
• very last Banks statement copies,( optional as well )
• W2s, (it works the same as Tax transcript )
• employment verification( bring your employee badge instead of the letter ), 
• tax return transcripts(past 5 years tax transcripts )
• any traffic citation/ticket and payment receipt
• ...

I have my State ID as I do not have a US driver's licence.

In lieu of my Canadian passport never getting stamped, I have official documentation from both the US and CAN border confirming exit/entry dates to show as proof of travel over the past 5 years.

Good idea about the employee badge!  Yes, I still have this---along with a letter from my Principal/Supervisor (which also acts as a letter of GMC considering all the extra stuff she wrote about my job performance).

No traffic tickets, ever, in my life.

Thanks!

[Going through 5,671]

38 minutes ago, marcusa said:

in your case, it's amazing that you passed the background check so fast !  

fingerprint on 8/8/17 and FBI cleared in a week. 

 

a few optional documents here:

• marriage certificate if you are married
• green card 

Because of my past, I honestly thought I would get held up in the BG check....a few of us July online filers have received interview dates for this September.

 

I went so far as to order RCMP clearance letters from Canada along with Toronto police clearance letters just in case I needed them..

 

I'm wondering if country of origin, or how long I've been a GC holder had anything to do with the speed though?  Because I'm kinda shocked at that as well---considering NY is one of the most backlogged offices....Queens moves on a separate caseload, though, I've heard.

Edited August 18, 2017 by Going through

[Going through 5,671]

21 minutes ago, bonjour2017 said:

I'm still reeling from how you go from submission of N-400 to interview letter in about a month!  Fastest FBI check ever!  You have been on the forum a lot giving everyone advice. You sound like you have your documentation together.  Just review your N-400 responses because your application responses will be reviewed. You'll be OK.

Thanks----I started studying for the civics test after my biometrics appointment...still have trouble with remembering specific war dates/names.  I remember them, but get them mixed up.

 

I've been checked by the FBI before since I worked in a school...they don't play around when you are working with other people's children...

Edited August 18, 2017 by Going through

[Going through 5,671]

44 minutes ago, marcusa said:

very last Banks statement copies,( optional as well )

I've been thinking about this....how recent should I be up to?  Like statements right before my  interview date, or concentrate more on the recent ones before my filing date?

[gangsta 1]

  Even I thought New York City was very backlogged, and didn’t expect to have an interview even all the way till November, having filed in March. I however, got my interview notice at the beginning of June, and interview in July, oath ceremony in the first week of August. All in all five months, which isn’t bad considering New York City supposed be backlogged. 

[marcusa 31]

11 minutes ago, Going through said:

I'm wondering if country of origin,  had anything to do with the speed though?   

this makes me wonder if Canada is sharing some background sources with US,which enabled your check cleared so fast...

Applicants from south america, asian, middle eastern regions usually have long processing in background check, as they are classified as "third world countries",while Canada is not 

[Going through 5,671]

Just now, marcusa said:

this makes me wonder if Canada is sharing some background sources with US,which enabled your check cleared so fast...

Applicants from south america, asian, middle eastern regions usually have long processing in background check, as they are classified as "third world countries",while Canada is not 

Canada, UK and US share immigration, criminal, and border info with each other.

[marcusa 31]

was it exactly 5 years or 3 months before 5 year anniversary when you filed?

Edited August 18, 2017 by marcusa

[Going through 5,671]

13 minutes ago, marcusa said:

was it exactly 5 years or 3 months before 5 year anniversary when you filed?

I've been a GC holder for 12 years before filing for my N400.

[marcusa 31]

i heard lots of folks said, if you file 3 months earlier before 3(5) years anniversary, the USCIS will not interview you until you reach your anniversary.