A decision cannot yet be made about your application

[Kimberleigh 4]

Hi! Not sure if this is the correct forum but, thought I’d see if someone could give me advice.

Had my N-400 interview today (put in application 23 August 2017, received notice for interview 8 August 2018). I had applied for citizenship based on marriage (we will be married 5 years this October, have known each other since 2008). My husband couldn’t come to the interview as he is flying back from a business trip in Japan but, I thought I’d be ok on my own.

The IO went through my N-400 application first and, raised her eyebrows at the age gap between my husband and myself (19 years). We don’t have any children (I physically cannot have them) but, we have fur babies and we own our home together as well as property in North Carolina. I passed the civics test without a problem and, thought the interview went well. We were chatting a little about my teaching career and how fur babies count as children too. However, when she handed form N-652 to me, it had the “a decision cannot yet be made about your application” box checked. She told me it could take up to 120 days for them to make a decision. I asked if there was anything wrong with my application (I think I answered everything as it was on my N-400 application) and she responded that they needed to look into my case and wait up to 120 days. 

I have seen so many stories on here of people being immediately approved for citizenship that I was very disappointed when I was not. I don’t even have a parking ticket against my name as I’m too scared to mess up. 

I’m trying not to panic yet but, has this happened to anyone else? After 5 years, 120 extra days isnt huge in the scheme of things but, I’m going to be worrying until I hear something!

 

Many thanks for any advice!

[TNJ17 1,329]

That all looks normal to me. They don’t approve at the interview anymore most times. Keep checking your status and emails. You’ll hear soon.

[DanAl 11]

13 minutes ago, Kimberleigh said:

Hi! Not sure if this is the correct forum but, thought I’d see if someone could give me advice.

Had my N-400 interview today (put in application 23 August 2017, received notice for interview 8 August 2018). I had applied for citizenship based on marriage (we will be married 5 years this October, have known each other since 2008). My husband couldn’t come to the interview as he is flying back from a business trip in Japan but, I thought I’d be ok on my own.

The IO went through my N-400 application first and, raised her eyebrows at the age gap between my husband and myself (19 years). We don’t have any children (I physically cannot have them) but, we have fur babies and we own our home together as well as property in North Carolina. I passed the civics test without a problem and, thought the interview went well. We were chatting a little about my teaching career and how fur babies count as children too. However, when she handed form N-652 to me, it had the “a decision cannot yet be made about your application” box checked. She told me it could take up to 120 days for them to make a decision. I asked if there was anything wrong with my application (I think I answered everything as it was on my N-400 application) and she responded that they needed to look into my case and wait up to 120 days. 

I have seen so many stories on here of people being immediately approved for citizenship that I was very disappointed when I was not. I don’t even have a parking ticket against my name as I’m too scared to mess up. 

I’m trying not to panic yet but, has this happened to anyone else? After 5 years, 120 extra days isnt huge in the scheme of things but, I’m going to be worrying until I hear something!

 

Many thanks for any advice!

If you search this site and various other immigration forums you will see that it is quite common to have this result "decision cannot be made" - it seems like most of those cases are quickly approved, some even after only a few hours or a day or two. The reason for that can vary - IO is in a rush and wants to have another look at the file later, or IO is new and needs supervisor to sign off, OR some info needs to be verified, etc, etc. 

So while it is possible, and certainly some people here on the site report they had to wait the full 120 days, i would think chances are in your favor!

 

 

[Kimberleigh 4]

4 minutes ago, DanAl said:

If you search this site and various other immigration forums you will see that it is quite common to have this result "decision cannot be made" - it seems like most of those cases are quickly approved, some even after only a few hours or a day or two. The reason for that can vary - IO is in a rush and wants to have another look at the file later, or IO is new and needs supervisor to sign off, OR some info needs to be verified, etc, etc. 

So while it is possible, and certainly some people here on the site report they had to wait the full 120 days, i would think chances are in your favor!

 

 

Thank you! My husband was rather disappointed when I texted him and I was blaming myself. Hopefully I don’t have to wait the whole 120 days but, I will be patient. Have a wonderful weekend!

[Kimberleigh 4]

7 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

That all looks normal to me. They don’t approve at the interview anymore most times. Keep checking your status and emails. You’ll hear soon.

Thank you TNJ! There was one couple who was approved while I was waiting and I think that’s what made me think I’ve messed up somehow. Have a great weekend! 

[DanAl 11]

5 minutes ago, Kimberleigh said:

Thank you! My husband was rather disappointed when I texted him and I was blaming myself. Hopefully I don’t have to wait the whole 120 days but, I will be patient. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hopefully you will get a text/email soon that action has been taken on your case. And check the case status page to see if it says anything new. 

You are right though, patience is needed....... 

Have a great weekend as well. 

[VenomousSwan 21]

Hello,

I’m so sorry to hear your case is undecided. My lawyer warned me that not getting approved during the interview is the “new normal” and not to fret over it too much (though it is terribly frustrating). Just remember that you’re in the home stretch and you’ll be done with this journey soon! 

 

Hang in there! ❤️

[Kimberleigh 4]

22 minutes ago, VenomousSwan said:

Hello,

I’m so sorry to hear your case is undecided. My lawyer warned me that not getting approved during the interview is the “new normal” and not to fret over it too much (though it is terribly frustrating). Just remember that you’re in the home stretch and you’ll be done with this journey soon! 

 

Hang in there! ❤️

Thank you so much for the kind words! I think it’s always when the finish line is so close that may set back feels like a major failure. Keeping my chin up and waiting 😊 have a wonderful weekend! 

[Diane and Chris 651]

Did the IO tell you how you would be notified?  We just went through AOS and were not given approval at the interview as expected, after 15 months of waiting. We felt we were so prepared!  The IO said he would call us and he did call 3 days later and said he still needed to talk to his supervisor. 4 days later he called again and said my husband was approved!  A few hours later it was updated on the site. That was 2 days ago.  Hopefully, you’ll hear something within a few days. Good luck. Keep us updated!  

[canadian_wife 1,829]

When I went for my naturalization interview Atlanta does same day oath ceremonies.  So I dressed up nicely and curled my hair expecting my oath to be that day.  But I got "a decision cannot be made".   The officer explained to me that many times junior officers are given the task of doing interview but do not actually have the authority to approve.  This seems to happen a lot at busy offices.  

 

I'm sorry this happened to you, I hope it is a quick turn around.

 

Good luck

[Diane and Chris 651]

4 hours ago, canadian_wife said:

When I went for my naturalization interview Atlanta does same day oath ceremonies.  So I dressed up nicely and curled my hair expecting my oath to be that day.  But I got "a decision cannot be made".   The officer explained to me that many times junior officers are given the task of doing interview but do not actually have the authority to approve.  This seems to happen a lot at busy offices.  

 

I'm sorry this happened to you, I hope it is a quick turn around.

 

Good luck

We were at Atlanta, too. I think it’s becoming more of the norm to not get approval the day of the interview. How soon did you finally hear from them and how did they contact you?  

[canadian_wife 1,829]

It took about 2 years from the initial interview to the oath ceremony.  I had to get a senator involved because it was taking so long.  I was eventually notified through mail.

Good luck

[VenomousSwan 21]

12 minutes ago, canadian_wife said:

It took about 2 years from the initial interview to the oath ceremony.  I had to get a senator involved because it was taking so long.  I was eventually notified through mail.

Good luck

Whoa! What?! I hate to be intrusive, but may I ask what happened?

[canadian_wife 1,829]

I wish I knew so others could avoid the same problem.  Every 90 days I put in a request, I went to infopass I did everything.  Senator Perdue finally helped me. 

 

Good luck

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

Perfectly normal. I had my husband with me & there is only 4 years age difference between us & I received the same note at interview. Often the IO is still in training and cannot approve/deny on their own authority but have to run it by a supervisor. This takes some time. I had 17 days between my interview & the "in line for oath scheduling" notice.

Edited September 8, 2018 by EM_Vandaveer