ROC and Naturalization interview scheduled at the same date and time

[audacieux89 256]

Has anyone here ever had their ROC interview and Naturalization interview scheduled at the same time and date? I had mine a few days ago and I thought I was just coming in for my Naturalization interview. But the officer did both the ROC and Naturalization interview! Good thing my husband came with me and I brought all documents needed for updated evidence. Everyone else I know who has gone through the same process as me never had their ROC interview and just went straight to the Naturalization interview. I've been scouring the forums for the same topic but have not seen any (I might not have searched enough).

 

I was just wondering if anyone else had the same experience and what was the outcome of your interview? I passed the Civics, written, and reading tests but the officer could not make a decision yet so I have to wait.

 

Thanks for anyone's input!

[OldUser 6,616]

This is pretty normal, it's called "combo" interview.

Anybody with pending I-751 and N-400 should be prepared to do them together, and bring their US citizen spouse.

 

N-400 cannot be approved without I-751. It's good that you had both interviews. 

 

Sometimes people get both I-751 and N-400 approved on the spot, but lately there's a lot of "decision cannot be made" stories. You should get your cases approved eventually.

Edited April 9, 2023 by OldUser

[audacieux89 256]

5 minutes ago, OldUser said:

This is pretty normal, it's called "combo" interview.

Anybody with pending I-751 and N-400 should be prepared to do them together, and bring their US citizen spouse.

 

N-400 cannot be approved without I-751. It's good that you had both interviews. 

Wow! Everyone I asked said their ROC interview was waived. My husband and I didn't really prepare for the I-751 interview but I think we did pretty well since we just answered all questions as honestly as we can. The only thing we didn't get to prepare for were pictures! I didn't get to print them out. We had to show the officer pictures from our phones. 😅 I'm just a little anxious because the officer couldn't make a decision on the day so I will have to wait. I wonder if everyone else also had pending decision or if they were approved right after the interview?

Edited April 9, 2023 by audacieux89

[SteveInBostonI130 3,432]

10 minutes ago, audacieux89 said:

 their ROC interview was waived. 

 

That is at the discretion of USCIS.

 

You were lucky.  There are some who get their N400 interview and could not be approved because the ROC was still in process.  They had to wait additional months for the ROC interview.

 

Always prepare for the worst, never assume USCIS will make anything easy.

[OldUser 6,616]

3 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

 

That is at the discretion of USCIS.

 

You were lucky. 

Couldn't agree more

[OldUser 6,616]

21 minutes ago, audacieux89 said:

I wonder if everyone else also had pending decision or if they were approved right after the interview?

Certain immigration officers need review from supervisor to approve the case. It's normal. We see a lot of "decision cannot be made" posts in Naturalization forums. There's even threads you can find. It's more of an exception to get both I-751 and N-400 to be approved on the spot nowadays than it is a rule.

Edited April 9, 2023 by OldUser

[audacieux89 256]

11 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Certain immigration officers need review from supervisor to approve the case. It's normal. We see a lot of "decision cannot be made" posts in Naturalization forums. There's even threads you can find. It's more of an exception to get both I-751 and N-400 to be approved on the spot nowadays than it is a rule.

Thank you! I really appreciate it!!

24 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

 

That is at the discretion of USCIS.

 

You were lucky.  There are some who get their N400 interview and could not be approved because the ROC was still in process.  They had to wait additional months for the ROC interview.

 

Always prepare for the worst, never assume USCIS will make anything easy.

Thank you!!!

[Verrou 1,962]

Plenty people did combo interview. My friend did that last year in May 2022 in FL. She didn’t bring her husband because he’s in military and was ordered to serve in Korea. She brought his work order to the interview but USCIS checking people wont let her in, she begged and begged. Luckily  1 officer came out and let her in. 15 mnts interview and she’s the last one they brought in for same day oath ceremony. 

 

Now different friend went for AOS interview last Feb 2023 in queens, NY, officer asked for wedding picture that she already submitted in initial package. So she didn’t print and bring it to the interview, officer asked so she just show the picture from her phone. She got approved the next day. Photo is not big deal to be honest. Joint cohabition evidences are stronger evidence. 
 

hope u got the great news soon 

Edited April 9, 2023 by Misscloud

[Crazy Cat 41,814]

2 hours ago, audacieux89 said:

Has anyone here ever had their ROC interview and Naturalization interview scheduled at the same time and date? I had mine a few days ago and I thought I was just coming in for my Naturalization interview. But the officer did both the ROC and Naturalization interview! Good thing my husband came with me and I brought all documents needed for updated evidence. Everyone else I know who has gone through the same process as me never had their ROC interview and just went straight to the Naturalization interview. I've been scouring the forums for the same topic but have not seen any (I might not have searched enough).

 

I was just wondering if anyone else had the same experience and what was the outcome of your interview? I passed the Civics, written, and reading tests but the officer could not make a decision yet so I have to wait.

 

Thanks for anyone's input!

Yes.  It is common to have an I-751/N-400 combo interview.  Combo interview completed on Dec 14, 2022.  Both I-751 and N-400 approved simultaneously.  Wife naturalized a few weeks later.

Edited April 9, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[confusedshoes 193]

5 hours ago, audacieux89 said:

Has anyone here ever had their ROC interview and Naturalization interview scheduled at the same time and date? I had mine a few days ago and I thought I was just coming in for my Naturalization interview. But the officer did both the ROC and Naturalization interview! Good thing my husband came with me and I brought all documents needed for updated evidence. Everyone else I know who has gone through the same process as me never had their ROC interview and just went straight to the Naturalization interview. I've been scouring the forums for the same topic but have not seen any (I might not have searched enough).

 

I was just wondering if anyone else had the same experience and what was the outcome of your interview? I passed the Civics, written, and reading tests but the officer could not make a decision yet so I have to wait.

 

Thanks for anyone's input!

This is a combo interview and is what I'm hoping to get to do (N400 + I751 interviews at the same time).

 

Also, because of your post, I realize that for some reason, you got to do your interview before I've even gotten an interview schedule, even though I submitted my N400 (also San Francisco) earlier than you did. 😓

[audacieux89 256]

6 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Yes.  It is common to have an I-751/N-400 combo interview.  Combo interview completed on Dec 14, 2022.  Both I-751 and N-400 approved simultaneously.  Wife naturalized a few weeks later.

I didn't know it was common and called a combo interview. I did a search using "combo interview" and saw a lot of posts! Lol. Thanks! Hopefully I get an approval 😅

[audacieux89 256]

2 hours ago, confusedshoes said:

This is a combo interview and is what I'm hoping to get to do (N400 + I751 interviews at the same time).

 

Also, because of your post, I realize that for some reason, you got to do your interview before I've even gotten an interview schedule, even though I submitted my N400 (also San Francisco) earlier than you did. 😓

I filed my ROC January 2021 and N400 January 2022. Based on your signature, it looks like I submitted my applications before you did. You'll get yours soon. USCIS (especially San Francisco) has taught me that we just gotta be patient! 😄

[Scandi 4,166]

I would dare to say that these days a combo interview is probably more common than a non-combo interview for those who have both petitions pending at the same time. USCIS has gotten better at getting the petitions together, a few years ago it was more chaos'y. 

ROC interviews are generally waived for those who had an interview for AOS, ie you usually get interview for one OR the other, generally not both (again, generally). But when you file the N-400 while your I-751 is still pending you interrupt the process a bit, the chances are much bigger that you will be interview for both then, no matter if you had an AOS interview or not.

[Dashinka 24,483]

15 hours ago, audacieux89 said:

Wow! Everyone I asked said their ROC interview was waived. My husband and I didn't really prepare for the I-751 interview but I think we did pretty well since we just answered all questions as honestly as we can. The only thing we didn't get to prepare for were pictures! I didn't get to print them out. We had to show the officer pictures from our phones. 😅 I'm just a little anxious because the officer couldn't make a decision on the day so I will have to wait. I wonder if everyone else also had pending decision or if they were approved right after the interview?

My wife and I had a combo interview back in 2018.  We did not know we would at the time, but suspected it since the I751 and the N400 were both pending (my wife only received a notice for the N400 interview).  Regardless, I went with her and the IO pulled me back for a very brief I751 interview essentially reviewing the form and asking if we wanted to add any additional evidence (we brought a copy of our recently filed joint tax return).  Then I was escorted back out to the waiting area, and my wife and IO proceeded with the N400 interview.  My wife did not get a decision made on the spot for either form, but the experience was positive and shortly, about a week later, we got the I751 approval NOA, and the oath scheduled NOA.  I am not sure if the IO did the I751 interview as a formality since we also had an AOS interview three years earlier, but we prepared just the same.

 

Anyway, plan for it, review your I751 package, and it might be a good idea to gather any additional supporting information you may want to add to it.

 

Good Luck!

[Joyoussinger 1,425]

My husband's N-400 interview was scheduled when his ROC hadn't been approved. I went with him, just in case. The did both interviews, and didn't include me at all. He was approved and took the oath that day! With USCIS, always be prepared for everything because anything can happen! Best of luck to you!