How much detail do we need to remember for N400 interview?

[Smelserjl 137]

My husband has his interview scheduled for October 31st. He's been prepping and studying, but we are wondering something on questions about the N400. I know they'll ask about dates he's traveled outside of the US. How much detail does he need to remember? Down to specific dates or will month and year suffice?

 

Will they wonder why he's traveled back and forth? He's gone back to visit family in his home country at least once a year since moving to the US. In my mind, that seems normal. If I lived in another country and I wanted to visit family--I would! But I do think sometimes people assume when you come to the US, you're never leaving again and will, in fact, try to get your other family members here (he won't. His family doesn't want to leave Egypt anyway).

 

Finally, are you allowed to look at papers during the interview to confirm anything? Like old address, etc.? Or you have to commit everything to memory? We've moved a few times since he came to the US.

 

Thanks!

Edited October 8, 2018 by Smelserjl

[Going through 5,671]

4 minutes ago, Smelserjl said:

How much detail does he need to remember? Down to specific dates or will month and year suffice?

If asked, month and year would suffice....he probably won't be verbally asked about dates though, since they will have already confirmed his travel history through their own databases before the interview.

 

If he left a good chunk of his travel history OFF of his application, or if he's traveled for long periods of time, then yes he will be asked about it most likely.

 

6 minutes ago, Smelserjl said:

Will they wonder why he's traveled back and forth?

The IO's concern is more about physical presence/continuous presence requirements and whether the total amount of travel abroad breaks that.

 

8 minutes ago, Smelserjl said:

Finally, are you allowed to look at papers during the interview to confirm anything? Like old address, etc.? Or you have to commit everything to memory? We've moved a few times since he came to the US.

Relax and take a deep breath.  The IO is not going to go through every single question on the N400 and confirm each and every answer.  They will confirm some things though, like current employment, the application portion of YES/NO questions about claiming to be a US citizen at any point, being a member of certain groups, etc.  The average straightforward interview is around 15-20 minutes not including the civics test.  

 

That being said, he should have knowledge of what he wrote on his application, and it's always a good idea to review any portions of his application beforehand that may be brought into question by the IO to refresh his memory (like any criminal history in his past).

[Smelserjl 137]

9 minutes ago, Going through said:

If asked, month and year would suffice....he probably won't be verbally asked about dates though, since they will have already confirmed his travel history through their own databases before the interview.

 

If he left a good chunk of his travel history OFF of his application, or if he's traveled for long periods of time, then yes he will be asked about it most likely.

 

The IO's concern is more about physical presence/continuous presence requirements and whether the total amount of travel abroad breaks that.

 

Relax and take a deep breath.  The IO is not going to go through every single question on the N400 and confirm each and every answer.  They will confirm some things though, like current employment, the application portion of YES/NO questions about claiming to be a US citizen at any point, being a member of certain groups, etc.  The average straightforward interview is around 15-20 minutes not including the civics test.  

 

That being said, he should have knowledge of what he wrote on his application, and it's always a good idea to review any portions of his application beforehand that may be brought into question by the IO to refresh his memory (like any criminal history in his past).

Thanks for this. We've been freaking out unnecessarily, but we're just so happy we're almost at the finish line and don't wanna mess this up! Thanks again.

[Dashinka 24,494]

My wife was only asked to update what she had already listed on the N400 with respect to travel history (month and year should suffice).  She actually goes back to Russia two times a year for a few weeks each time to visit her mother and it was not an issue.  I wouldn't worry too much about the interview, I realize it is stressful, but deep breaths are helpful.

 

Good Luck!

[Smelserjl 137]

On 10/8/2018 at 9:55 AM, Bill & Katya said:

My wife was only asked to update what she had already listed on the N400 with respect to travel history (month and year should suffice).  She actually goes back to Russia two times a year for a few weeks each time to visit her mother and it was not an issue.  I wouldn't worry too much about the interview, I realize it is stressful, but deep breaths are helpful.

 

Good Luck!

Thank you so much! I hope it goes smoothly. Almost there!

[VenomousSwan 21]

Reading this post fills me with so much relief. My interview is tomorrow and I’m so nervous I can’t even concentrate. I’ve been waiting so long and I’m scared I’ll mess it up. 😰

[asdfzc 6]

On 10/10/2018 at 1:44 PM, VenomousSwan said:

Reading this post fills me with so much relief. My interview is tomorrow and I’m so nervous I can’t even concentrate. I’ve been waiting so long and I’m scared I’ll mess it up. 😰

how was your interview?

[Smelserjl 137]

17 hours ago, asdfzc said:

how was your interview?

Yes! Any insight related to my questions?

[VenomousSwan 21]

20 hours ago, asdfzc said:

how was your interview?

Great! Very chill. I was really lucky and had a fantastic officer. The civics questions were the scariest part for me (I get test anxiety), but everything else was ok. 

[asdfzc 6]

1 hour ago, VenomousSwan said:

Great! Very chill. I was really lucky and had a fantastic officer. The civics questions were the scariest part for me (I get test anxiety), but everything else was ok. 

Congrats!!! Just N400 or with i751 pending?

Edited October 15, 2018 by asdfzc

[VenomousSwan 21]

19 hours ago, asdfzc said:

Congrats!!! Just N400 or with i751 pending?

Just the N400!