Finally applied for Naturalization

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Well I have been absent from the forum for quite some time.  My wife Mhay was going to apply for Naturalization when we were stationed in Italy under the expedited rule, but life got in the way.  I have since retired from the Air Force for a little over 2 years now.  Mhay finally applied for Naturalization on the 16th of Feb.  It was nice to see that everything could be submitted online.  We already have a biometrics appointment scheduled for 5 March.  The only thing that I think they will question will be her time outside the US when she was stationed with me in Italy (almost 4 years).  I still had a copy of my orders sending us to Italy and my retirement orders leaving Italy, so hopefully that will be good enough.  Had we applied while I was still stationed in Italy it would be a non-issue.  We didn't apply for extended stay outside the US, but I was under the impression that they would still consider her time outside the US as being in the US because she was command sponsored under me.  We did remember to change her address with the USCIS when we left and when we got back to the US.  We also applied for her 10 year green card while in Italy, so there will be record of everything.

 

I am kinda put off by the "estimated" completion time for her case....18 months or August 2019.  I have read where there is no rhyme or reason for the estimate.  I guess we will see how long it goes.  I know Mhay is worried about studying for the Civics test and being ready for the interview.  I told her that she should know far enough out for her interview that she will have time to study.  So, now we wait again.  At least this will complete the journey.

[Lynyogini 7]

9 minutes ago, Scott and Mhay said:

I know Mhay is worried about studying for the Civics test and being ready for the interview.  I told her that she should know far enough out for her interview that she will have time to study. 

I was a bit worried to about studying. When I received the study booklet after my biometrics I was like, how am I going to memorize all 100 question and answer. But it was easy! I made my own flashcards and asked my husband to read the flashcards for me and I answer. I would also listen to the audio CD that came with the study guide while I drive. I did all that two weeks prior to my interview. Good luck!  

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Thanks!  I know Mhay has had me asking her the questions.  She was studying pretty hard when we were thinking of applying while we were in Italy and still remembered quite a few answers from then.  We were originally going to apply in 2013, but I was so busy with work it went on the back burner.

[OnlyTheBrave 5]

The majority of the 100 questions are basic common knowledge about this country. I mean, not everyone knows who their US Rep is, but, if you don’t know what basic First Amendment rights are and who the first President was, you should probably reconsider whether you want to be here. 

 

Just reassure your spouse, she probably knows all the answers already. Good luck!

Edited February 22, 2018 by OnlyTheBrave

[marriedtomrg 141]

On 2/21/2018 at 9:27 PM, Scott and Mhay said:

Thanks!  I know Mhay has had me asking her the questions.  She was studying pretty hard when we were thinking of applying while we were in Italy and still remembered quite a few answers from then.  We were originally going to apply in 2013, but I was so busy with work it went on the back burner.

Hey Scott  Like you I have not been in the forum for some time - finally applied online on Feb 23.

 

Mhay can download the questions from the USCIS site or download one of many free apps available (I am an Android user, so I got mine from Google Play.

 

There is also an awesome YouTube video that I listen to on the way to work:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgc5FP2wd9s