N-400 Filers @ New York City, Queens and Long Island Field Offices

[nyj215 103]

5 hours ago, N400NYC said:

I thought it was usually quicker than that?

Apparently yes!  Just received the oath letter today for October 11 at Federal Plaza. So just over 2 weeks from approval to oath.

[nyj215 103]

As I found this NY filers thread in particular a helpful resource, I thought it could help others to post a little about my interview experience in NYC (Manhattan filer).  One soon realizes that the monthly filer threads are not as useful as the local office ones, since so much is dependent on where you file.

 

I had a morning interview at Federal Plaza.  The security line moved pretty quickly.  Once past security, I was surprised that no one was verifying appointments in the lobby.  You go directly to the elevators and to your designated floor.  I missed a couple of heartbeats during check in on my floor as the guy couldn't seem to find something in the system for a minute or two, but then I got my ticket so all good.

 

I know there are mixed views on this but I found the waiting area really good.  Plenty of seats, natural light, pretty comfortable space with TVs showing local news.  A totally different feeling to, for example, the Varick Street service center where one goes for biometrics.

 

My interviewer called for me exactly on time.  I was stunned as I expected to wait an hour or something.  If I had gotten there one minute later than the designated time, I would have missed the call.  

 

The interview itself took about 10 minutes.  Professional and to the point.  Started with the oath and then the 6 questions.  No curveball questions during the interview; basically verifying the N400 information.  No talk outside the parameters of the N400 questions.  At the end I got a decision cannot be made, but got the approval some time after.  As mentioned in another post, the oath will be 2 weeks after approval and will take place at Federal Plaza.

 

Although the entire process took me more than 1 year, I am of the view that USCIS NY is trying to do at least some stuff to move things along given resource shortages (in particular, the fact that officers are having to interview GC labor applicants is the major delay issue in my view).  It was brutal waiting so long but the entire immigration journey is sort of like that.  Moving Brooklyn cases to NJ, having oath ceremonies within 2 weeks of approval and also I gather there is a pilot same day oath program in NY now for morning interviews that are immediately approved - these are positive steps.  That said, I still find the disparity between those offices that have a 4-6 month wait vs others that have a 12+ month wait pretty frustrating given that this is a Federal system.

 

I wish everyone still waiting the best of luck.

 

[nitin400 1]

Hi, this is my first time writing but I’ve been following this helpful thread for long time. I’d like to share my timeline as well and I hope it helps people in the same boat.

 

pd. March 2019 (Queens, NY)

got online update yesterday (10/03) that my case is ready for the interview but haven’t got any mails so I don’t know yet when and where my interview will be. But will keep it posted later. ><

Edited October 4, 2019 by nitin400

[nyj215 103]

@nitin400congrats... the update was Interview was Scheduled?  7 months from filing to ready for interview is very encouraging for other NYC filers!

[nitin400 1]

36 minutes ago, nyj215 said:

@nitin400congrats... the update was Interview was Scheduled?  7 months from filing to ready for interview is very encouraging for other NYC filers!

thank you and yes, the update was exactly “ We sheduled your interview” and that was faster than I thought.

[kikola32 1]

On 9/25/2019 at 3:57 PM, nyj215 said:

Hi fellow NYers... is the consensus that from approval to oath for NYC (Manhattan) is probably around 6 weeks at the moment?  Thanks to all.

Hello, I had my interview yesterday at Federal Plaza. The officer told me it's about 4 weeks. Hope this helps. Will keep you in the loop when I receive my letter.

[nyj215 103]

2 hours ago, kikola32 said:

Hello, I had my interview yesterday at Federal Plaza. The officer told me it's about 4 weeks. Hope this helps. Will keep you in the loop when I receive my letter.

thanks - hope your interview went well!  as per my prior messages I did end up getting my notice a while back and it is for October 11, so just about 2 weeks after the approval.

[nitin400 1]

Updates: I already received my interview notice that it will be on November 13th at 26 federal plaza. About a month from now, wish me luck  

[Adaemi 11]

Hey everyone! I’ve been following this topic but have never posted. I just got an interview scheduled notification October 3rd morning and I’m in NYC queens. I filed my N400 in March of this year. I can’t believe this, especially since I heard people in NYC have been waiting close to a year lately. Actually I can believe it.... lol... cause I prayed hard and God is good! My interview date is November 12 and it’s in Manhattan federal plaza. I pray it goes well. Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long for my oath ceremony. Congratulations to those who have already completed the process. And hopefully my fellow NYC residents are on the same track. 

[nyj215 103]

wow - things seem to be moving pretty fast in Queens compared to earlier this year.

[N400NYC 380]

5 hours ago, nyj215 said:

wow - things seem to be moving pretty fast in Queens compared to earlier this year.

I wish the same was true for Manhattan applicants! 😭

14 hours ago, Adaemi said:

Hey everyone! I’ve been following this topic but have never posted. I just got an interview scheduled notification October 3rd morning and I’m in NYC queens. I filed my N400 in March of this year. I can’t believe this, especially since I heard people in NYC have been waiting close to a year lately. Actually I can believe it.... lol... cause I prayed hard and God is good! My interview date is November 12 and it’s in Manhattan federal plaza. I pray it goes well. Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long for my oath ceremony. Congratulations to those who have already completed the process. And hopefully my fellow NYC residents are on the same track. 

What has been your "expected case completion date" up until now?

[Adaemi 11]

15 minutes ago, N400NYC said:

I wish the same was true for Manhattan applicants! 😭

What has been your "expected case completion date" up until now?

Hey! It said March 2020 up until I got a notification for my interview date. When did you file and have you done your interview yet? 

[N400NYC 380]

2 minutes ago, Adaemi said:

Hey! It said March 2020 up until I got a notification for my interview date. When did you file and have you done your interview yet? 

I wish! I filed in April 2019. My expected date of completion has changed various times but it's currently March 2020.

 

Manhattan is significantly worse it seems so I am not expecting any miracles....most people in Manhattan have been waiting 12 months before they get an interview. 

[Adaemi 11]

5 minutes ago, N400NYC said:

I wish! I filed in April 2019. My expected date of completion has changed various times but it's currently March 2020.

 

Manhattan is significantly worse it seems so I am not expecting any miracles....most people in Manhattan have been waiting 12 months before they get an interview. 

So you filed after me. Honestly you just might get an update soon cause I do know everyone I’ve come across on here who filed March 2019 got updates last week and are getting scheduled for interviews. I think things are moving fast now cause it was much slower earlier. I think you’ll get an update :). Everyone in NYC was waiting for a year plus till recently. 

[N400NYC 380]

3 hours ago, Adaemi said:

So you filed after me. Honestly you just might get an update soon cause I do know everyone I’ve come across on here who filed March 2019 got updates last week and are getting scheduled for interviews. I think things are moving fast now cause it was much slower earlier. I think you’ll get an update :). Everyone in NYC was waiting for a year plus till recently. 

Thanks for the positive words. But were any of those people from Manhattan? I haven't heard of anyone in Manhattan or the Bronx getting an interview in anything less than 11-12 months.