Should I file now N400 or wait till I relocate?

[eadpls 0]

I am within window of N400 filing in Philadelphia. However, I am moving out of state by Aug 6 (lease expired). I will be traveling + working remotely in middle America for a couple of months. During this period, I can use my family address in Georgia. Ultimately, I will move to NYC for work by October or whenever my opens back up (we are remote for now).

 

My dilemma is because of the long ambiguous wait time that filers are waiting, I want to start my process now to get on queue. Given my  travel plans and 3 months residence requirement, I will not be eligible for filing in Georgia until Nov 2020 or in NYC until Jan 2021.

 

I am hoping that I can file for N400 now, the ASC office in Philadelphia opens on July 27 according to USCIS website, get biometrics appt, then I walk in for biometrics on July 28 - Aug 6. Then, move out of Philadelphia and file the AR-11 (change of address to Georgia first and NYC next, when needed). Does this make sense? Should I just wait till Jan 2021 to file in NYC?

Bottom line, I want to get the U.S. passport as soon as possible because my current one is useless (no visa-free travel privilege). 

Edited July 19, 2020 by eadpls

[arken 4,197]

While you can apply for citizenship at this time, getting biometrics done before you move out of your current place is very unrealistic.You would be lucky just to get the biometrics letter by Aug 6 and would need another luck for walk in especially during this virus issued backlog and issues.

[Amazinggrace123 20]

Just want to tell you,NYC is moving very very very slow! I applied in September 2019, my estimated time is July 2020, still nothing and no updates at all.

Edited July 19, 2020 by Amazinggrace123

[Georgia16 2,858]

You can file now. BUT no way you'll get bio appointment that quick. People fra February/Marts/April//May/June are still waiting for bio appointments. And they will most likely be so busy they will not allow walk-ins. 

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*procedural question moved from “progress reports” to “general discussion”*~*~*

[JFH 12,190]

1 hour ago, Amazinggrace123 said:

Just want to tell you,NYC is moving very very very slow! I applied in September 2019, my estimated time is July 2020, still nothing and no updates at all.

You call that slow? I filed September 2019 and my estimated completion date is January 2021. I expect with COVID forcing the local office to be closed for a few months it will actually be even later. 

[millefleur 5,046]

9 hours ago, eadpls said:

Bottom line, I want to get the U.S. passport as soon as possible because my current one is useless (no visa-free travel privilege). 

Exact same situation here. We moved to another state about 1 month after filing the N-400.

 

I would be shocked if after July 27th they allowed walk ins at your local ASC. Most likely what will happen is you'll file now and wait for an unknown time to even get a biometrics appointment scheduled. My husband filed April 1st and still has not even heard a peep about getting a biometrics appointment scheduled. Assuming they will go in chronological order of those who filed, basically like @Georgia16 said there's a whole queue of people waiting going back all the way to Feb/Mar 2020 who haven't had biometrics done yet.

Edited July 20, 2020 by millefleur

[eadpls 0]

Thanks for the response and context. Looks like the recommendation is to file now and get in line, then change address (AR 11) before biometrics (due to backlog)

[Quarknase 1,072]

9 hours ago, eadpls said:

Thanks for the response and context. Looks like the recommendation is to file now and get in line, then change address (AR 11) before biometrics (due to backlog)

That should work - make sure to sign up for USPS mail forwarding on time, and also print out the confirmation from the AR-11 once you file for address change with USCIS. They're known for not making the update so it will be good to have proof.

 

If they schedule you for biometrics in your old location, depending on distance you can probably either go, or request a re-schedule with the response slip attached to the letter and refer to your AR-11 that you moved.