File Mom's N-400 now or wait?

[pablo2752 106]

I am 25yr male who filed F2B AOS last June under my mother who's a permanent resident. Priority date is August 7th, 2015. 

We planned to put her naturalization(she has been eligible to apply for one since last April) aside, but as we all know, the fee for N400 is going to increase by 81% this October.

 

My mother has not done anything bad or wrong for last 5 years, so applying won't be hard at all. The reason we have been hesitant is that one, issue of F2B "upgraded to" F1 category. Yes we know there is "opt out" choice, but we don't want to cause any confusion or extra paperwork, especially due to an insufferable chaos that the covid-19 caused. So here are my questions: 

 

1. Does the case "upgrade" happen automatically? And if so, does it happen when her N400 is filed or approved? 

2. What are the chances they will recycle her biometrics that she took when she applied for AOS 5 years ago?

3. Are there instances where opt-out is not possible? 

4. Is there any template for "opt out" letter? Does USCIS tell you that that they received and confirmed the request? 

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

1. Yes, when she becomes US citizen (Oath Ceremony - not approved N400) it is a long wait. So your visa number might be ready before she becomes US citizen.

2. No, it is too old.

3. No, F2B retention is USCIS policy.

 

[delish 29]

Same situation with me before. Mom just sent  opt out letter to nvc to retain my f2b case instead of Changing it to f1.

Edited August 3, 2020 by delish

[pablo2752 106]

18 minutes ago, NancyNguyen said:

1. Yes, when she becomes US citizen (Oath Ceremony - not approved N400) it is a long wait. So your visa number might be ready before she becomes US citizen.

2. No, it is too old.

3. No, F2B retention is USCIS policy.

 

I looked at my field office, and it shows that I-485 familybased can take 11-35.5 months, while naturalization can take 6-11 months. It looks like there is a good chance that if she applies for naturalization, she will get it faster than I. 

Yes, $500 more money hurts but at the same time we wonder if it's worth causing more paper work and stress right now. My mom's green card is good or another 5 years, so we will see. 

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

23 minutes ago, pablo2752 said:

I looked at my field office, and it shows that I-485 familybased can take 11-35.5 months, while naturalization can take 6-11 months. It looks like there is a good chance that if she applies for naturalization, she will get it faster than I. 

Yes, $500 more money hurts but at the same time we wonder if it's worth causing more paper work and stress right now. My mom's green card is good or another 5 years, so we will see. 

What is your status?

[pablo2752 106]

2 minutes ago, NancyNguyen said:

What is your status?

Currently F1 status. I m in grad school