I-751 long wait...does this push back the naturalization?

[jaske78 1]

I have submitted the I-751, and just checked the timelines - the CSC is servicing people from July 2016--that's seventeen months ago!

 

We will become eligible to apply for naturalization after January 11, 2019, which is three years from the conditional green card. However, at this rate, it is possible that in January 2019, there will be no decision on the 751 at all--it might easily be May of 2019 before we get the final verdict. 

 

So then, what do we do? Can we apply for naturalization after January 11, 2019, even though the I-751 decision might still be unknown? Or must we wait until they decide? Let's say they send us a message in May saying, okay, we allow this. Do we then immediately apply, or must we wait for a year after the permanent green card?

 

Thank you!

[GreatDane 366]

Your 3 year minus 90 days period doesn't change based on a pending I751. Use the date of issue from the original GC. You can apply whenever you become eligible. 

 

We applied in August 2016 and are still waiting. Based on current cases, once you file a N400 it defers your I751 processing and it becomes a joined petition - think of it as a combination N400/I751. Not all have been that way, but since the I751 delays started, that's the way it seems to go. Almost all July applicants are approved but not a single one on VJ who applied for N400 had their I751 approved on the normal timeline. We're waiting, too. I think the I751 case is now being handled as a N400 which basically resets the clock and goes by the N400 time table. 

Edited November 10, 2017 by GreatDane