N400 and I751 Interview

[Dashinka 24,494]

On 10/25/2017 at 8:33 PM, Cocoza said:

Again, from all indications for those who really want to get citizenship, it seems the best option is to file for N400 immediately the window opens if you have a pending I751. Since CSC filers have a wait time of about 14 months for I751, what's the worst that could happen with a pending I751? you're correct, an Interview. And that's what would happen with concurrent applications anyway but then you save yourself the headache of dealing with RFEs and increased anxiety because consciously or unconsciously, the thought that you have your N400 in the works, gives a bit relaxed feeling. 

You're closer to the finish line the moment you send out your N400 application. You get your interview notices, get both interviews sorted, and that's it! you're done with USCIS.

Absolutely.  People need to look at this like game clocks.  There is a separate clocks for the I751 and the N400, and there is no requirement to wait for the I751 clock to expire before starting the N400 clock.  In our case my wife her N400 about a month after her 3 year window opened with the I751 13 months in process, she filed by mail, and her N400 was processed to the oath in about 5 months (seems to be an exceptional case).  If we had waited for the I751 we probably would still be waiting for the N400 interview at this point.

[LucyF 1]

Dear @Bill & Katya and @ARDallas - Congratulations!

 

I am in a situation similar to your previous one (filed N400 while I751 pending). Just want to confirm one thing: you only received N400 interview notice right? I got my N400 interview notification, and it says nothing about I751 interview. Called USCIS phone line, and an officer told me it will only be a N400 interview, and once I pass it, the I751 application will be canceled. 

 

The officer said there won't be a dual interview which is I751 first, then N400. This kinda contradicts to what I learned from people on this forum, so I want to gather more information. Thank you very much!

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

USCIS officer that you spoke to probably doesn't have a full grasp on the process. The i751 does not get canceled. As you're inferring, the interview will very very likely be a combo interview with the i751 portion first. For my wife and I, the officer approved the i751 verbally on the spot and then told me to get out of his office while he completed the n400 interview with my wife. Like you, my wife only received notice of the n400 interview. Nothing was ever mentioned about a combo interview nor a i751 interview.

[LucyF 1]

8 minutes ago, Russ&Caro said:

USCIS officer that you spoke to probably doesn't have a full grasp on the process. The i751 does not get canceled. As you're inferring, the interview will very very likely be a combo interview with the i751 portion first. For my wife and I, the officer approved the i751 verbally on the spot and then told me to get out of his office while he completed the n400 interview with my wife. Like you, my wife only received notice of the n400 interview. Nothing was ever mentioned about a combo interview nor a i751 interview.

Dear @Russ&Caro Thank you! This is very helpful - I really appreciate it.

[Dashinka 24,494]

2 hours ago, LucyF said:

Dear @Bill & Katya and @ARDallas - Congratulations!

 

I am in a situation similar to your previous one (filed N400 while I751 pending). Just want to confirm one thing: you only received N400 interview notice right? I got my N400 interview notification, and it says nothing about I751 interview. Called USCIS phone line, and an officer told me it will only be a N400 interview, and once I pass it, the I751 application will be canceled. 

 

The officer said there won't be a dual interview which is I751 first, then N400. This kinda contradicts to what I learned from people on this forum, so I want to gather more information. Thank you very much!

Our’s was almost exactly the same as @Russ&Caro.  My wife only received a notice for the N400 interview, but I made sure I was there and sure enough, the IO asked me to come back when she came out to get Katya, we had a short 5-10 minute joint I751 interview, then I was told to leave and Katya continued with the N400 interview.  The IO never explicitly said the I751 was approved, but we got the impression that it would be, Katya’s N400 was recommended for approval, but the I751 was not canceled.  We received the NOA approving the I751 about a month later, and the oath was scheduled about two months after that.  I have heard of others that were combo filers that did not take their spouse with them for the N400, and were also eventually approved for both, but I recommend taking your spouse if at all possible especially if you are filing the N400 under the 3 year marriage rule.

 

Good Luck!

[LucyF 1]

37 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

Our’s was almost exactly the same as @Russ&Caro.  My wife only received a notice for the N400 interview, but I made sure I was there and sure enough, the IO asked me to come back when she came out to get Katya, we had a short 5-10 minute joint I751 interview, then I was told to leave and Katya continued with the N400 interview.  The IO never explicitly said the I751 was approved, but we got the impression that it would be, Katya’s N400 was recommended for approval, but the I751 was not canceled.  We received the NOA approving the I751 about a month later, and the oath was scheduled about two months after that.  I have heard of others that were combo filers that did not take their spouse with them for the N400, and were also eventually approved for both, but I recommend taking your spouse if at all possible especially if you are filing the N400 under the 3 year marriage rule.

 

Good Luck!

Thank you very  much for the reply. This is very helpful. Appreciate it!

[asdfzc 6]

same here, received the interview letter for N400 only but my lawyer suggest me to bring my spouse with me. Different field office process differently. But you if you want to end this journey smoothly, i would recommend to bring your spouse with you because you dont want to reschedule and wait forever again!

[LucyF 1]

10 minutes ago, asdfzc said:

same here, received the interview letter for N400 only but my lawyer suggest me to bring my spouse with me. Different field office process differently. But you if you want to end this journey smoothly, i would recommend to bring your spouse with you because you dont want to reschedule and wait forever again!

Thank you so much. Yes I will take my spouse. Good luck for everything!

[tinalun 2]

hi all,

I have been scheduled for N400 interview on Dec 05 at Santa Ana office. I was noticed via text and email, not received mail yet. Anyone has any experience at that site, please share with me. Thanks. I am a combo I751 (Mar 2017) and N400 filler(Mar 2018).

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

The postal mail can lag considerably. Most of my wife's notices came a week or more after the online notification. I believe you can print out a copy of the online notification for use at an interview/ceremony. Congrats and good luck.

[lifegoeson123 3]

Thank you so much for your information. I guess for sure you need the husband for the combo interview especially if you have 2 year Green card approved without any interview before. 

 

 Did they interview your husband separately in a different room? Or they put you two together in 1 room, then officer asked questions and the wife (applicant) answered only?  How long is the oath ceremony after the citizenship passed?

Edited May 5, 2019 by lifegoeson123