Future N400/Citizenship filers

[ImmiGeek 59]

Moderators: If this thread doesn't make sense either correct it or remove it. Thank you.

 

This thread is for FUTURE N400 filers to learn, avoid any mistakes upfront, get ready with required paperwork, set the expectations very real and practical from the seniors in this forum.

If you are a future filer, review the wealth of other forum threads, get your base questions answered. If you are still left with any specific question(ONLY AFTER READING and SEARCHING the OTHER THREADS on this forum), post it here. Seniors/experts may chime in and help us.

 

My EB GC was approved on the magic date of the last possible LEAP DAY of today's date.

Got a reasonable knowledge (From 16 years of fight with USCIS) about EB Immigration and Non-Immigration process. So I am Target 2020 N400 filing.

[ImmiGeek 59]

Let me start with few tricks that I am following so that others can add their excellence around.

1) Since https://my.uscis.gov/account/applicant doesnt allow an ineligible(due to too early for us) applicant to start their application filled out at least as a template, I have downloaded the editable PDF of N-400 application, filled it out Right away with all the data that I know as of now. This helps us to give us a closest template of our future N400 application. Also this helps us to keep it updating with all the dates of travel, address changes, employment details as our live moves between GC and N400 dates.

2) Kept a calendar alert for at least a month before my eligibility date of N400. This gives us an opportunity to pull out my N400 application, update any data (like passport numbers, or any changes in life recently etc). Also helps to quickly read some of the recent threads around N400 filings in that time period.

 

 

[Life_love 45]

Not a senior member but i'm here everyday itching to see any atlanta progress..That being said, i do see quite a lot of questions about eligibility/early filing. There are a few ways you can determine your eligibility;

 - Starting an application online: you enter your information and it does automatically let you know if your're  eligible based on the information provided. One thing though, it allows you to submit your application a day before the stated eligible date( cannot attest for everyone else, but that happened to me)...please don't fall for it, you don't want to be denied based on such unnecessary technicalities. Wait till the date given and then submit

- You can also go to this link https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/dateCalculator.html to determine your earliest filing date. It is provided by uscis.

 

Traveled a lot? If you've traveled a lot and want a somewhat official verification on specific dates, you can get that on the official i-94 website and click on View Travel History -> Accept the security notification. https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/history-search . It will redirect you to a page to enter travelers information: Your Name, DOB, Passport # and Passport Country of issuance. Click next to view all travel history along with dates of entry, departure and state. It comes in very handy when trying to remember the dates or even as part of supplementary evidence of travel/travel dates (i uploaded  mine as part of my additional evidence, not that it was needed...i just did to back up my dates and stuff).

 

This one i struggled with, i had to pay a lawyer to answer my question. And according to the lawyer if you didn't file taxes BECAUSE you did NOT earn any income for a particular year, then don't panic, you are fine. You can either enter yes or no in that question. Because by law ( at least on the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant website ), it states "you are NOT required to file taxes because your income does not equal or exceed $4000, nor do you owe any special taxes or have any special situation that requires you to file."  This is only for those that did not earn an income or owe taxes...i understand every case is different and this does not substitute for legal advise. I am only sharing tips i followed while filing.

 

And my best advise, please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS on the uscis.gov before any secondhand site or forum. It is IMPERATIVE that you read it first https://www.uscis.gov/n-400 It answers questions you don't even know you had. Although it doesn't pertain to my case, thanks to the  instructions i found out, to be eligible to file in your state you have to have resided there for at least 3 months. I have read a couple of cases with applicants being denied after the interview as a result of this. I simple read through will save you the time, hassle and money.

 

Hope this helps someone. Good luck to everyone. The journey is almost over and congratulations in advance.

 

Edited September 10, 2018 by Life_love

[n400filer2018 0]

On 9/10/2018 at 4:24 PM, Life_love said:

Not a senior member but i'm here everyday itching to see any atlanta progress..That being said, i do see quite a lot of questions about eligibility/early filing. There are a few ways you can determine your eligibility;

 - Starting an application online: you enter your information and it does automatically let you know if your're  eligible based on the information provided. One thing though, it allows you to submit your application a day before the stated eligible date( cannot attest for everyone else, but that happened to me)...please don't fall for it, you don't want to be denied based on such unnecessary technicalities. Wait till the date given and then submit

- You can also go to this link https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/dateCalculator.html to determine your earliest filing date. It is provided by uscis.

 

Traveled a lot? If you've traveled a lot and want a somewhat official verification on specific dates, you can get that on the official i-94 website and click on View Travel History -> Accept the security notification. https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/history-search . It will redirect you to a page to enter travelers information: Your Name, DOB, Passport # and Passport Country of issuance. Click next to view all travel history along with dates of entry, departure and state. It comes in very handy when trying to remember the dates or even as part of supplementary evidence of travel/travel dates (i uploaded  mine as part of my additional evidence, not that it was needed...i just did to back up my dates and stuff).

 

This one i struggled with, i had to pay a lawyer to answer my question. And according to the lawyer if you didn't file taxes BECAUSE you did NOT earn any income for a particular year, then don't panic, you are fine. You can either enter yes or no in that question. Because by law ( at least on the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant website ), it states "you are NOT required to file taxes because your income does not equal or exceed $4000, nor do you owe any special taxes or have any special situation that requires you to file."  This is only for those that did not earn an income or owe taxes...i understand every case is different and this does not substitute for legal advise. I am only sharing tips i followed while filing.

 

And my best advise, please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS on the uscis.gov before any secondhand site or forum. It is IMPERATIVE that you read it first https://www.uscis.gov/n-400 It answers questions you don't even know you had. Although it doesn't pertain to my case, thanks to the  instructions i found out, to be eligible to file in your state you have to have resided there for at least 3 months. I have read a couple of cases with applicants being denied after the interview as a result of this. I simple read through will save you the time, hassle and money.

 

Hope this helps someone. Good luck to everyone. The journey is almost over and congratulations in advance.

 

Hi Life_love,

 

I also fall for the "1-day too early" situation after filing online... have you had your interview already? Apparently, it is up to the officer to approve our application...

[Life_love 45]

34 minutes ago, n400filer2018 said:

Hi Life_love,

 

I also fall for the "1-day too early" situation after filing online... have you had your interview already? Apparently, it is up to the officer to approve our application...

Apologies, when i said it happened to me, i meant the online system allowed me to submit my application one day early. I was eligible on the 28th, but on the 27th, it showed that i had no restrictions and i could submit and pay. I didn't....i waited till the next day(the right day...even at that i felt i was pushing it a bit but i was too excited and eager to get it over with) and submitted my application, then paid, so i wouldn't know the outcome but i am guessing like most things, it is definitely up to the IO to approve your application(i pray you get a jovial and easy going IO and things go smoothly for you...amen)

 

I read a case where someone was approved (see link) and where they were denied. If you're still worried you can contact an immigration lawyer via phone from avvo or visa journey (it cost about $45 for 15-30 minutes)

 

 

[n400filer2018 0]

3 hours ago, Life_love said:

Apologies, when i said it happened to me, i meant the online system allowed me to submit my application one day early. I was eligible on the 28th, but on the 27th, it showed that i had no restrictions and i could submit and pay. I didn't....i waited till the next day(the right day...even at that i felt i was pushing it a bit but i was too excited and eager to get it over with) and submitted my application, then paid, so i wouldn't know the outcome but i am guessing like most things, it is definitely up to the IO to approve your application(i pray you get a jovial and easy going IO and things go smoothly for you...amen)

 

I read a case where someone was approved (see link) and where they were denied. If you're still worried you can contact an immigration lawyer via phone from avvo or visa journey (it cost about $45 for 15-30 minutes)

 

 

Thanks!

[ImmiGeek 59]

Is there any thread for Nov 2020 filers? I am ready to file.

Looks like I had an edge over avoiding the new Civics test syestem.

I will be eligible to file my N400 on OR later to 11/30/2020 (the last date to file the old Civics test filers) 🙂 Also I am still on the edge to pay the non-increased fees due to the court order on jacked up Trump Fees 🙂 Just done online filing updates,.. a push of button away for filing my N400 on the noon of 11/30 🙂 lol

[millefleur 5,047]

51 minutes ago, Target2020ForN400 said:

Is there any thread for Nov 2020 filers? I am ready to file.

It's here:

 

 

[ImmiGeek 59]

8 hours ago, millefleur said:

It's here:

 

Thank you very much for the right reference.