Has anyone Expedited N-400 Naturalization via Section 319b??

[Karlzy 20]

Hi All, 

 

Has anyone been through the 319(b) process - expediting your N-400 due to accompanied overseas orders? (3yr orders) 

 

Does anyone happen to have a coverletter for the docs they submitted?

 

Any hints / tips would be most appreciated!

 

I'm just about to start jumping through the these hoops 

[CorinaG 0]

Hi,

I am in the exact situation. Trying to figure out the entire process and papers needed. They told me over the phone that as of right now it takes 1year and a few month for the entire process. I don't know exactly how long it will take with the process being expedited.

[Karlzy 20]

@CorinaG  See...this is what I'm afraid of, haha. 

 

I had heard the process was taking over a year - and we would have PCS'd by the time they get around to it (and apparently, it's not so easy to do from where we'll be stationed next) ....They won't expedite the 'process' for us or the timeframes - just the pathway to citizenship. So I'm wondering if I should just try and get this done from overseas, as it's unlikely to be complete by the time we leave. 

 

Which means travelling on my maiden name I guess?! Ugggggh, it's always something!!  *insert pulling out hair emoji here  

 

Fun times! haha. 

Edited February 20, 2018 by Karlzy

[CorinaG 0]

They told me to make an appointment to the USCIS office in order to speak with somebody about this entire situation. I made the appointment for next week and hopefully I will get some good answers.

I am also trying to figure if I can have dual citizenship , I tried with the State Department but they declined answering my questions.

[Karlzy 20]

@CorinaG Dual citizenship is dependent on your country I believe. I know I don't have to give up my AUS citizenship. I don't think the US is necessarily bothered by dual - but you should check with your own Consulate to see what their viewpoint on dual nationality is. Which is probably why they didn't give you any answers; as it's country-specific. 

 

So was it an InfoPass appointment you booked? That might be the best way to handle it ... hmmm... lol. 

[CorinaG 0]

Yes, I did the appointment online. They are pretty booked at the Baltimore office ( that's the closest one to me).

As far as the dual citizenship, USCIS told me over the phone that it's up to the State Department if the approve my country for dual citizenship and that I should call them. When I called them they didn't give me any answers. It's so silly and time consuming. I am hoping once I have my appointment with an officer from USCIS that he/she will be able to offer some answers. I will also take part of the documents needed.

So I would suggest for you to make an appointment also  

[SashaLise 3]

On 2/20/2018 at 12:32 PM, CorinaG said:

They told me to make an appointment to the USCIS office in order to speak with somebody about this entire situation. I made the appointment for next week and hopefully I will get some good answers.

I am also trying to figure if I can have dual citizenship , I tried with the State Department but they declined answering my questions.

Try to search/read posts about dual citizenship from your countrymen.

 

just an example - For the Philippines, the Phil. government grants dual citizenship for natural-born Filipinos.  Lots of Filipinos have dual for some useful benefits. 

[LWOOD 0]

Hello,

 

is there any updates in this topic? has somebody been approved under 319(b) process - expediting your N-400 due to accompanied overseas orders?

 

I'm trying to decide between filling here or overseas (Germany). I will leaving US in 1 month and a half with pcs order and not sure if this will be enough time to get the process done here in the US.

 

Thanks,

 

[Karlzy 20]

@LWOOD

 

I just called USCIS to ask a few questions - but based on their responses, I very much doubt 1 month is enough time to get it done so it may be a waste of money.

 

Also, you must be present in the USA at the time of your naturalization, and they could provide no feedback on whether you had to be in the US the entire time, or whether you could fly back to the US for it. (But keep in mind, you need Biometrics, Interview, Oath Ceremony - sooo there's the potential for a large break in times you'll need to be back in the US). 

 

Time out of the country while on official accompanied orders does NOT count as time out the US so there;s no issues with losing Residency status (GC). 

 

If you choose to go ahead and try to use this method, you supply a handwritten note explaining the reason for expedite and submit proof of orders. 

 

We're not leaving till November but based on the call - I doubt I have enough time to get it done and I'd rather not throw away the application fee! So I may just apply for ROC overseas and deal with naturalization when I'm back. Ugh. lol. 

[Karlzy 20]

If anyone is considering using this process, I just completed it. 

It took 136 days from Application (submit online) to Oath Ceremony. 

It was fairly painless - the one hitch I had was having to have the case transferred between offices. 

But all in all, if you're going on accompanied orders, submit ASAP and it's definitely possible! 

[BerhaeLee 8]

On 11/9/2018 at 3:07 PM, Karlzy said:

If anyone is considering using this process, I just completed it. 

It took 136 days from Application (submit online) to Oath Ceremony. 

It was fairly painless - the one hitch I had was having to have the case transferred between offices. 

But all in all, if you're going on accompanied orders, submit ASAP and it's definitely possible! 

Good for you. I hope mine will be faster. How long did you wait when you received the interview notice letter to the actual interview date?

[klmnl2000 18]

Karlzy, did you apply your N400 under 319(b) online? We're in a similar situation and I was wondering if we can apply online. 

[Karlzy 20]

@klmnl2000 - Hiya! 

 

Yes, I applied online. You NEED to include a coverletter that states you're applying for expedite under 319(b).  Otherwise they'll just process it as normal. There's also a section in the online application that allows you to input text as to why you're applying for expedite, so put it in there too. 

 

The whole process for me, from application to naturalization, took around 136days. With a few bumps along the way. lol. 

 

My tip: FOLLOW THEM UP! I had to go to an Infopass appointment for my case (it was stuck in CA and I was in VA and they had to manually force a transfer of my case - normal transfer time is 30 days and I would have left the country by then). lol. The first officer wasn't aware of 319(b) - he had to go speak to the Military Liaison Officer. So when in doubt, ask them to check with that person! ... 

Edited April 27, 2019 by Karlzy

[klmnl2000 18]

Karlzy, thanks so much! We'll be applying as soon as we get a letter from the company. Also, my spouse's foreign assignment start date is on June 1, we wore wondering if we can apply now. 

[Karlzy 20]

1 minute ago, klmnl2000 said:

Karlzy, thanks so much! We'll be applying as soon as we get a letter from the company. Also, my spouse's foreign assignment start date is on June 1, we wore wondering if we can apply now. 

You need to include a copy of overseas orders, with you on them, as part of your package - so if you don't have it, I wouldn't apply now.