I-751 and N-400 simultaneous decision?

[MK108 17]

I had been contemplating applying for citizenship for a while now. (My 3-year mark was Oct 7, 2018) so I had started on the online application quite some time ago. I had everything filled in except the evidence uploads. Before I come to my main question,   little background on my case:

 

I applied for ROC on Sept 2017. They sent me an RFE dated Dec 26, 2018. I think I received it first week of Jan 2019. Before opening the letter, I thought it was my GC.

Haha! So young, so naive. Lol!

Anyways, my husband and I were in the middle of purchasing a house and were moving within a few weeks so I held off on sending the RFE until I changed addresses and had utilities bills for the new address. I sent in my RFE on Feb 26, 2019. Getting tired of waiting I started uploading evidence into my online N-400 application.

A few days ago, I received a letter from USCIS, addressed to my husband for some reason. It was the interview letter for the ROC application.

Now, I wondered if I applied for citizenship now, would this interview be a combo interview?

I have, at this point, submitted my N-400 online. The website said 48 hours until I get a notification.

So, my questions are:

- Anyone else here apply for N-400 while their I-751 was still pending?

- Especially after you received the interview letter?

- Did they approve both applications simultaneously?

 

Would love to hear your experiences.

Thank you in advance!

 

Edited March 27, 2019 by MK108

[Radkova 11]

2 hours ago, MK108 said:

I had been contemplating applying for citizenship for a while now. (My 3-year mark was Oct 7, 2018) so I had started on the online application quite some time ago. I had everything filled in except the evidence uploads. Before I come to my main question,   little background on my case:

 

I applied for ROC on Sept 2017. They sent me an RFE dated Dec 26, 2018. I think I received it first week of Jan 2019. Before opening the letter, I thought it was my GC.

Haha! So young, so naive. Lol!

Anyways, my husband and I were in the middle of purchasing a house and were moving within a few weeks so I held off on sending the RFE until I changed addresses and had utilities bills for the new address. I sent in my RFE on Feb 26, 2019. Getting tired of waiting I started uploading evidence into my online N-400 application.

A few days ago, I received a letter from USCIS, addressed to my husband for some reason. It was the interview letter for the ROC application.

Now, I wondered if I applied for citizenship now, would this interview be a combo interview?

I have, at this point, submitted my N-400 online. The website said 48 hours until I get a notification.

So, my questions are:

- Anyone else here apply for N-400 while their I-751 was still pending?

- Especially after you received the interview letter?

- Did they approve both applications simultaneously?

 

Would love to hear your experiences.

Thank you in advance!

 

In your case they wouldnt because you literally sent in your application. You have Biometrics, background check. Are you even prepared for your civic?

[aleful 1,905]

hi

 

nope,  many times when there is an interview for ROC, it's because they think that the marriage isn't bona fide

 

it takes months for the citizenship interview and test, so no, this has nothing to do with citizenship, your removal of conditions might be in danger, and that's why the interview is with your husband. you will need to both go and take all the bona fide proof that you have and will be asked questions about your marriage

 

when it is a combo interview, your husband isn't present. the officer approves the removal of conditions and continues with the civics and history exam. this is specifically for the removal of conditions

 

 

[MK108 17]

On 3/27/2019 at 2:15 AM, Radkova said:

In your case they wouldnt because you literally sent in your application. You have Biometrics, background check. Are you even prepared for your civic?

Hmm, I think you might be right. I checked the case status and it said I have to wait at least 30 days for the biometric. That's more or less right when the interview is so I guess the combo interview will not be happening. I have been studying and doing pratice tests for American government, history and integrated civics for a few months now. If I'm not ready now, I'll be ready by the end of the month, as I'll be practicing even more now that I submitted the application. I have been following news closely so I'm good on the current affairs and new appointments with the 2018 elections too. 😊

 

On 3/27/2019 at 5:37 AM, aleful said:

hi

 

nope,  many times when there is an interview for ROC, it's because they think that the marriage isn't bona fide

 

it takes months for the citizenship interview and test, so no, this has nothing to do with citizenship, your removal of conditions might be in danger, and that's why the interview is with your husband. you will need to both go and take all the bona fide proof that you have and will be asked questions about your marriage

 

when it is a combo interview, your husband isn't present. the officer approves the removal of conditions and continues with the civics and history exam. this is specifically for the removal of conditions

 

 

Ah, Okies! Good to know. I submitted enough proof of bonafide marriage, that I'm sure of. We did move three times after applying for the ROC. I think they're just confused about the timeline at this point. I did explain is quite plainly in the RFE cover letter, but I guess we'll see what they want at the interview.

All I can provide them is new evidence for the current address. If they want new evidence of residence for the address that was current at the time of application, they are 3 moves too late.

Seriously, if the fact that I moved three times with my husband as he moved around for his job isn't enough proof, I don't know what is. Well, that and the joint mortgage that we have at the moment.

 

For the ROC interview, I'll compile anything and everything I can find especially from the stuff I sent in for the application and the RFE.

 

Any advice on what I can do in addition to that?

Thanks to you both for your thoughts on this. 😊

 

[Lemon23 400]

7 minutes ago, MK108 said:

Hmm, I think you might be right. I checked the case status and it said I have to wait at least 30 days for the biometric. That's more or less right when the interview is so I guess the combo interview will not be happening. I have been studying and doing pratice tests for American government, history and integrated civics for a few months now. If I'm not ready now, I'll be ready by the end of the month, as I'll be practicing even more now that I submitted the application. I have been following news closely so I'm good on the current affairs and new appointments with the 2018 elections too. 😊

 

Ah, Okies! Good to know. I submitted enough proof of bonafide marriage, that I'm sure of. We did move three times after applying for the ROC. I think they're just confused about the timeline at this point. I did explain is quite plainly in the RFE cover letter, but I guess we'll see what they want at the interview.

All I can provide them is new evidence for the current address. If they want new evidence of residence for the address that was current at the time of application, they are 3 moves too late.

Seriously, if the fact that I moved three times with my husband as he moved around for his job isn't enough proof, I don't know what is. Well, that and the joint mortgage that we have at the moment.

 

For the ROC interview, I'll compile anything and everything I can find especially from the stuff I sent in for the application and the RFE.

 

Any advice on what I can do in addition to that?

Thanks to you both for your thoughts on this. 😊

 

The only way for us to know what you can include more on your evidences before your interview is the list down all of your evidences that you have right now. 

[MK108 17]

4 minutes ago, Lemon23 said:

The only way for us to know what you can include more on your evidences before your interview is the list down all of your evidences that you have right now. 

Ok, I'll try and do a mental compilation.

As they ask for everything from the start of the marriage, which was in 2014, that's where I will start.

1. Marriage certificate

2. Pictures of the day we got married if I can find them. Facebook to the rescue, I hope.

3. Utilities bill from that time, if I can find it. If not, I'm contacting the company to see if they can provide me a copy of an old bill from 4 years ago.

4. Pictures together with friends at this address

5. Driver permit for me and driver license for my husband for the first address we lived at.

6. Moved house in 2015, address changed section of the IDs for both of us.

7. Pictures together with friends at the new address

8. Utility bills for this address but they weren't happy with what I sent (they mentioned it in the RFE letter) but I'll add it anyway. I made the mistake of not adding both our names to it. If I remember correctly, the utility company didn't allow that.

9. Joint insurance policy for another property addressed to this address

10. I had a lot of mail addressed to both of us for this address. I'll have to see if I can find. I'm sure it's in one of the moving boxes.

11. Affidavits that my brother and my husband's aunt wrote for us. Hmm, might need an updated version of these.

12. Tax transcripts for every year since the marriage. 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and also 2018 (if we get them by the interview time)

13. Moved to another state for my husband's job start of 2018. Lived in temp housing provided by his company. Didn't know how long it would take to get our own place so I changed our address with USCIS and USPS. I'll add letters from USPS for this.

14. Moved to a rental apartment at the end of March 2018. So, joint lease agreement for this address.

15. Driver IDs for both of us for the apartment address

16. Joint utilities bils from 3 different companies

17. Pictures of us around the time of moving

18. Joint notice to vacate this rental apartment

19. Bought a house start of this year, so a joint mortgage statement

20. Escrow schedule, I think that's what it's called but it had both our names on it so I'm submitting it.

21. Joint utilities bills for the new house address

22. Pictures at this new address

23. Joint insurance policy for this house

24. Auto insurance policy that has both our names on it

25. Husband's life insurance policy showing me as beneficiary, primary and 100%

26. Each other's 401k showing each other as beneficiary, primary and 100%

27. New and current Driver IDs with the current address

28. We have an upcoming trip this month, before the interview, that we are flying to. I'll save the boarding passes.

29. My parents are visiting my brother and we're flying to them to see them. Will have lots of pictures from that trip. Husband's dad and step mom are also going to be there so will be nice to get a family picture together.

30. Almost forgot, we took a trip to wizarding world of Harry Potter in 2016 and have a quite a few pictures from there. I don't think I still have the boarding passes for the flight. Let's see if I can find it in the piles of evidence I've submitted for the past applications.

 

That's all I can think of at this point. Anything else I can submit besides these?

 

Appreciate all of your help on this. 😊

 

[Lemon23 400]

31 minutes ago, MK108 said:

Ok, I'll try and do a mental compilation.

As they ask for everything from the start of the marriage, which was in 2014, that's where I will start.

1. Marriage certificate

2. Pictures of the day we got married if I can find them. Facebook to the rescue, I hope.

3. Utilities bill from that time, if I can find it. If not, I'm contacting the company to see if they can provide me a copy of an old bill from 4 years ago.

4. Pictures together with friends at this address

5. Driver permit for me and driver license for my husband for the first address we lived at.

6. Moved house in 2015, address changed section of the IDs for both of us.

7. Pictures together with friends at the new address

8. Utility bills for this address but they weren't happy with what I sent (they mentioned it in the RFE letter) but I'll add it anyway. I made the mistake of not adding both our names to it. If I remember correctly, the utility company didn't allow that.

9. Joint insurance policy for another property addressed to this address

10. I had a lot of mail addressed to both of us for this address. I'll have to see if I can find. I'm sure it's in one of the moving boxes.

11. Affidavits that my brother and my husband's aunt wrote for us. Hmm, might need an updated version of these.

12. Tax transcripts for every year since the marriage. 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and also 2018 (if we get them by the interview time)

13. Moved to another state for my husband's job start of 2018. Lived in temp housing provided by his company. Didn't know how long it would take to get our own place so I changed our address with USCIS and USPS. I'll add letters from USPS for this.

14. Moved to a rental apartment at the end of March 2018. So, joint lease agreement for this address.

15. Driver IDs for both of us for the apartment address

16. Joint utilities bils from 3 different companies

17. Pictures of us around the time of moving

18. Joint notice to vacate this rental apartment

19. Bought a house start of this year, so a joint mortgage statement

20. Escrow schedule, I think that's what it's called but it had both our names on it so I'm submitting it.

21. Joint utilities bills for the new house address

22. Pictures at this new address

23. Joint insurance policy for this house

24. Auto insurance policy that has both our names on it

25. Husband's life insurance policy showing me as beneficiary, primary and 100%

26. Each other's 401k showing each other as beneficiary, primary and 100%

27. New and current Driver IDs with the current address

28. We have an upcoming trip this month, before the interview, that we are flying to. I'll save the boarding passes.

29. My parents are visiting my brother and we're flying to them to see them. Will have lots of pictures from that trip. Husband's dad and step mom are also going to be there so will be nice to get a family picture together.

30. Almost forgot, we took a trip to wizarding world of Harry Potter in 2016 and have a quite a few pictures from there. I don't think I still have the boarding passes for the flight. Let's see if I can find it in the piles of evidence I've submitted for the past applications.

 

That's all I can think of at this point. Anything else I can submit besides these?

 

Appreciate all of your help on this. 😊

 

Pretty much you have a lot.

Any joint bank account showing your name and spouse name that both of you paying the utility bills? How you guys pay the utility bills?

Also, are filing taxes jointly? or married but separate filing?

[MK108 17]

2 minutes ago, Lemon23 said:

Pretty much you have a lot.

Any joint bank account showing your name and spouse name that both of you paying the utility bills? How you guys pay the utility bills?

Also, are filing taxes jointly? or married but separate filing?

No joint bank accounts. We pay the utilities through auto pay from husband's account.

But I forgot to mention one, we do have a joint credit card account from a furniture store. I've sent statements from that with the RFE response and will add it to the compilation for the interview as well. :)

Yes, all taxes are jointly filed as married couple since 2014. We sent tax transcripts for past years as requested in the RFE letter, 2015, 2016 and 2017. For the interview, we'll take the tax transcript for 2014 as well.

[Lemon23 400]

3 minutes ago, MK108 said:

No joint bank accounts. We pay the utilities through auto pay from husband's account.

But I forgot to mention one, we do have a joint credit card account from a furniture store. I've sent statements from that with the RFE response and will add it to the compilation for the interview as well.

Yes, all taxes are jointly filed as married couple since 2014. We sent tax transcripts for past years as requested in the RFE letter, 2015, 2016 and 2017. For the interview, we'll take the tax transcript for 2014 as well.

Then you'll be good, just bring all of them because you don't know what the IO will gonna ask in terms of additional evidences. Good luck.

[MK108 17]

Just now, Lemon23 said:

Then you'll be good, just bring all of them because you don't know what the IO will gonna ask in terms of additional evidences. Good luck.

Thank you 🙏☺️

[MK108 17]

Update!

My biometric appointment was scheduled for April 15, 2019 (Side note: my ROC interview is on Apr 25). As I would be out of state visiting my parents until April 16, whom I hadn't seen for almost 5 years, I used the Inbox / Messages feature on the online account and pleaded them to reschedule my appointment either before my departuring flight day or right after I return. I was expecting a general reply with procedures on how to reschedule an appointment.

Nope!

Lo and behold! USCIS responded within 24 hours and had already rescheduled it for April 18, 2019 (exactly a week before my ROC interview on Apr 25).

Now, as much as I'd like to be naive and believe that they did it out of goodness of their heart, I think it's because they want the appointment done before the ROC interview to make it into a combo interview.

 

Would love to hear y'all's thoughts on this!

 

Edited April 5, 2019 by MK108

[lovemywife85 33]

On 3/28/2019 at 10:34 AM, Lemon23 said:

The only way for us to know what you can include more on your evidences before your interview is the list down all of your evidences that you have right now. 

I wish you good luck on Monday! You have been always helpful for so many people here! Please let us know how it will go!

[MohU3 57]

2 hours ago, MK108 said:

Update!

My biometric appointment was scheduled for April 15, 2019 (Side note: my ROC interview is on Apr 25). As I would be out of state visiting my parents until April 16, whom I hadn't seen for almost 5 years, I used the Inbox / Messages feature on the online account and pleaded them to reschedule my appointment either before my departuring flight day or right after I return. I was expecting a general reply with procedures on how to reschedule an appointment.

Nope!

Lo and behold! USCIS responded within 24 hours and had already rescheduled it for April 18, 2019 (exactly a week before my ROC interview on Apr 25).

Now, as much as I'd like to be naive and believe that they did it out of goodness of their heart, I think it's because they want the appointment done before the ROC interview to make it into a combo interview.

 

Would love to hear y'all's thoughts on this!

 

You can try and do an early walk-in with the appointment letter. A lot of people do that successfully

[MK108 17]

5 hours ago, MohU3 said:

You can try and do an early walk-in with the appointment letter. A lot of people do that successfully

That is good to know! However, the date that they gave me works a lot better for me than going in before I fly out for my trip. 😊

ROC interview is in 3 weeks. I'll keep y'all posted if they do a combo interview.