N-400 interview scheduled very quickly, but I've hit a snag.

[RubyMoss88 2]

Hello, lovely people of VJ.

 

I received notification this morning that my citizenship interview is scheduled for Dec 7th. Having only applied on Sept 11th, I'm shocked it's so soon. I've read that you usually receive your oath ceremony date a few weeks after your interview (if approved, of course). However, I leave to visit my family on Dec 10th until Jan 11th, so now I'm a little concerned and have a few questions. If anyone has any prior experience or advice, it would be greatly welcomed.

 

 

1) I understand that you can reschedule your oath ceremony by returning N-445 with a letter explaining why you can't attend. However, if the N-445 is delivered after Dec 22 (my husband flies out to join me on that day), I won't have access to the original document until I return. Would it be acceptable to print the PDF version they upload on myUCIS account and return that to the Kansas City field office instead?

 

2) I have no idea whether KC offer a same-day oath ceremony, but if they do, is it mandatory to complete it that day, or can you opt to receive your oath ceremony date in the mail?

 

3) Am I correct in understanding that I retain possession of my green card until the oath ceremony?

 

 

My husband asked whether it would be easier to postpone the interview until I come back, but I have no valid reason to not attend the interview on Dec 7th, and I also feel like it would be worse to reschedule the interview vs. just rescheduling the oath ceremony. I know how important US citizenship is to everyone here, and I certainly do not want to seem like I am not taking the process seriously by taking a trip home. I booked it because, in my wildest imagination, I could never have anticipated receiving my interview date less than 2 months after submitting my application. Just a few days ago, my estimated application time said 7 months.

 

 

Thank you very much in advance, and I apologize for the extremely wordy post - I think I'm still in shock.

[Mike E 11,739]

3. Yes you will keep your gc until you take oath.  
 

I would cancel your travel or travel through Canada and Mexico by land and travel by air from there.  

Edited November 4, 2021 by Mike E

[Coco&Kitten 42]

I can reply to your question number 2:

 

A friend of mine had exactly the same problem.  She went to her interview and she told the officer that she was leaving the country soon, so she asked the officer to schedule the ceremony after she got back to the US.  The officer re-scheduled it, and a month later she had her oath (after she returned from the international trip).

 

Now, that being said, you might have to wait for a decision after the interview.  In that case there would be nothing to worry about.

 

Question number 1: I would be interested to know more about this too.  I think it is possible to print a pdf version and send it back (I guess by express mail) to the field office.

[Scandi 4,166]

15 hours ago, Mike E said:

3. Yes you will keep your gc until you take oath.  
 

I would cancel your travel or travel through Canada and Mexico by land and travel by air from there.  

Agree, I would recommend canceling the travel plans too. Get the citizenship done first, then you can travel as much as you like.

[RubyMoss88 2]

21 hours ago, Coco&Kitten said:

I can reply to your question number 2:

 

A friend of mine had exactly the same problem.  She went to her interview and she told the officer that she was leaving the country soon, so she asked the officer to schedule the ceremony after she got back to the US.  The officer re-scheduled it, and a month later she had her oath (after she returned from the international trip).

 

Now, that being said, you might have to wait for a decision after the interview.  In that case there would be nothing to worry about.

 

Question number 1: I would be interested to know more about this too.  I think it is possible to print a pdf version and send it back (I guess by express mail) to the field office.

Oh, that's good to know! Thank you for replying.

 

You're right. I might have nothing to worry about. But I am a chronic worrier/over-thinker, so I simply won't allow myself to consider that things will work out 😂I guess I have nothing to lose by letting them know I'll be gone and see what happens.

 

Regarding the PDF thing, a couple of fellow Brit ladies on Facebook told me yesterday that they rescheduled their oath ceremonies by returning the PDF version of the letter with their written explanation as to why they couldn't attend (also due to travel) and had no issues, so fingers crossed! 

 

 

 

6 hours ago, Scandi said:

Agree, I would recommend canceling the travel plans too. Get the citizenship done first, then you can travel as much as you like.

 

21 hours ago, Mike E said:

3. Yes you will keep your gc until you take oath.  
 

I would cancel your travel or travel through Canada and Mexico by land and travel by air from there.  

 

Thank you for your responses, and I appreciate the advice. Unfortunately, at this time, cancelling my trip isn't really an option. Aside from flights, accommodation, and transport being non-refundable, I have an important dental procedure scheduled while I'm there. 

 

Mike E, apologies in advance if it's a silly question, but what would be the benefit of traveling via Canada or Mexico vs. flying directly out of the USA?

[Timona 4,207]

36 minutes ago, RubyMoss88 said:

Mike E, apologies in advance if it's a silly question, but what would be the benefit of traveling via Canada or Mexico vs. flying directly out of the USA?

 

You can travel through land border crossing with NC. You cannot do that on air unless you're military. 

[RubyMoss88 2]

1 minute ago, Timona said:

 

You can travel through land border crossing with NC. You cannot do that on air unless you're military. 

Oh, I see! So that's the only way to get around having to wait for the US passport first. Thank you for the clarification!

[Timona 4,207]

1 minute ago, RubyMoss88 said:

Oh, I see! So that's the only way to get around having to wait for the US passport first. Thank you for the clarification!

 

That's true. 

However, you don't have to wait much for the PP if you ask the right people😉. Read the top post on the attached.

 

 

[RubyMoss88 2]

2 minutes ago, Timona said:

 

That's true. 

However, you don't have to wait much for the PP if you ask the right people😉. Read the top post on the attached.

 

 

This is very helpful! Thank you so much.

[Timona 4,207]

1 minute ago, RubyMoss88 said:

This is very helpful! Thank you so much.

 

I'll suggest 3 as your first option, then 2 if 3 isn't feasible. 

[Mollie09 1,543]

23 hours ago, Mike E said:

3. Yes you will keep your gc until you take oath.  
 

I would cancel your travel or travel through Canada and Mexico by land and travel by air from there.  

Are you sure? I kept my GC until the oath ceremony, then surrendered it there.

At the interview the officer offered me a ceremony date and I accepted, even though it was barely 3 weeks before my scheduled international travel. I got an emergency passport appointment.

Edited November 5, 2021 by Mollie09

[Timona 4,207]

4 hours ago, Mollie09 said:

Are you sure? I kept my GC until the oath ceremony, then surrendered it there.

At the interview the officer offered me a ceremony date and I accepted, even though it was barely 3 weeks before my scheduled international travel. I got an emergency passport appointment.

You're stating the same thing @Mike E said 

[Mollie09 1,543]

13 hours ago, Timona said:

You're stating the same thing @Mike E said 

I misread that as "they keep your GC" 😂

Sorry @Mike E, we were saying the same thing

[Mike E 11,739]

20 hours ago, RubyMoss88 said:

 Thank you for your responses, and I appreciate the advice. Unfortunately, at this time, cancelling my trip isn't really an option. Aside from flights, accommodation, and transport being non-refundable, I have an important dental procedure scheduled while I'm there. 

consider making a short side trip back to the USA to attend the oath ceremony.  
 

Quote

Mike E, apologies in advance if it's a silly question, but what would be the benefit of traveling via Canada or Mexico vs. flying directly out of the USA?

Airlines won’t board a US citizen without a passport.  But Canada and Mexico will accept your current non USA passport if you have a visa waiver or a visa to enter either.  So use Canada / Mexico for air travel and get to/from either by land.  You can enter the USA by land, in creasing order of time spent in secondary inspection,   with your naturalization certificate, a photo copy of your naturalization certificate, your Costco card, or nothing at all.  US citizens have an absolute right to enter the USA. 

Edited November 6, 2021 by Mike E

[happytree 19]

Don’t reschedule your interview. Go to your interview and see what happens. changing your interview is surely going to delay your case for months. 
 

The ceremony is typically scheduled for couple weeks after. However, they can take a lot longer. So there’s a chance you can be back in time.

 

 

On 11/4/2021 at 11:38 AM, RubyMoss88 said:

1)Would it be acceptable to print the PDF version they upload on myUCIS account and return that to the Kansas City field office instead?

Yes. It’s just a notice printed in regular paper with nothing special. I think you should be fine printing it at home and sending that.  
 

On 11/4/2021 at 11:38 AM, RubyMoss88 said:

2) I have no idea whether KC offer a same-day oath ceremony, but if they do, is it mandatory to complete it that day, or can you opt to receive your oath ceremony date in the mail?

Not sure. But that’s a good idea. Even if not, I’d still become citizen and figure a passport at an embassy abroad or try to get an emergency passport appointment at a passport office before your departure. To me, personally, becoming a citizen was my top priority even if it meant cancelling vacation plans, etc. However, I understand it may not be for you and that’s ok. 

 

On 11/4/2021 at 11:38 AM, RubyMoss88 said:

 

3) Am I correct in understanding that I retain possession of my green card until the oath ceremony?

you are a permanent resident until you take the oath. Do not make the mistake of claiming you’re a US citizen in ANY way before you’ve completed the oath. So yes, you will keep your green card and continue to be a permanent resident just like before. You have to surrender your green card when they give you the naturalization certificate.