Torn if wait for i751 or apply for n400..

[Don0 73]

So I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I filed for my i751 for CR1 visa on May 2022. The latest update is last June 2022 when my biometrics were taken. 

 

Now, since last May 2023, I could have started my n400 but I tried to wait for my i751. Now, I'm torn if I should continue waiting or apply for the n400. This being that I am planning to fly back home next year on June 2024 fpr my brother's wedding. I'm afraid that if I apply for the n400, it might send a notice about an interview or something while I'm there.. or I don't know. I'm super confused. I have started with the n400 application online but have not submitted it. 

 

Any thoughts?

[Mike E 11,739]

12 minutes ago, Don0 said:

This being that I am planning to fly back home next year on June 2024 fpr my brother's wedding

Seems important. File N-400 in July 2024.

 

File a WoM now to get I-751 approved.

 

Edited September 12, 2023 by Mike E

[Don0 73]

3 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Seems important. File N-400 in July 2024.

 

File a WoM now to get I-751 approved.

 

It is important.. and I just have to say, that wom seems scary. Lol is there another way to try to nudge them into looking into my i751? 😆

[Mike E 11,739]

Just now, Don0 said:

and I just have to say, that wom seems scary.

What scares you about it?

Just now, Don0 said:

Lol is there another way to try to nudge them into looking into my i751? 😆

None that apply given your constraints.

[Don0 73]

7 minutes ago, Mike E said:

What scares you about it?

None that apply given your constraints.

Just scary filing a court order versus uscis. 😆 

[Mike E 11,739]

10 minutes ago, Don0 said:

Just scary filing a court order versus uscis. 😆 

That does not answer my question.

 

What is scary is having I-751 denied while of the country.

 

Why did you enter the U.S. before September 25, 2020? You could have avoided I-751.

Edited September 12, 2023 by Mike E

[Don0 73]

10 minutes ago, Mike E said:

That does not answer my question.

 

What is scary is having I-751 denied while of the country.

 

Why did you enter the U.S. before September 25, 2020? You could have avoided I-751.

That is scary too. I'll look into it.

 

It was the height of the pandemic so my interview was pushed a few months even when I already did my medical exam. Hence, my medical was expiring on September 3, 2020 so I had to rush. Also, my master's program started end of August so I had to fly earlier too. 

[Mike E 11,739]

Too bad you could not get a new medical.

[Scandi 4,166]

Since you came on a CR-1 you're almost guaranteed to get an interview for your i-751 - so file the N-400 so you can have both interviews in one. No reason to wait and have two separate interviews. 

For the interview you just need to keep checking your online account where you will find the date and time once scheduled - you usually get 4-6 weeks notice when you're scheduled for an interview. So unless you're planning on staying abroad for a longer period of time, it shouldn't be an issue to be back in time for the interview. 

Edited September 12, 2023 by Scandi

[Dashinka 24,488]

In my opinion, if your end goal is naturalization, I would file the N400 and get that clock ticking.  As @Scandi mentioned, you get a fair amount of notice for an interview.

 

In the end though, it is up to you.

 

Good Luck!

[Liam2021 583]

The answer is really simple: if your home country allow dual citizenship and you want get it done with USCIS, N-400 is the way to go. I-751 is a super low priority with USCIS so It will be sitting there like forever.

[YecaCruz 379]

echoing what many others are stating. File the N400 to get that process going since that is your ultimate goal. You'll have at least a month's notice if not more between receiving the notification and the interview. You'll also be able to see the interview notice from your USCIS account in case you are out thus you'd be able to plan accordingly and fly back.

[mari04 100]

Apply for n400. You should do it no matter what as last my as your first 751 is not denied and it is 2 years and 9 months from conditional gc issue. Nowadays, they do not process i751 until you file n400. It seems like it for sure. 

[Don0 73]

8 hours ago, Mike E said:

Too bad you could not get a new medical.

Getting a new medical in the Philippines would require you to fly to the capital (since I'm not from Manila) and pay the full amount again even if you're probably not getting those shots again. That time too, it was a whole country lock down and they just eased up on August 2020 so I decided to fly here.

[OldUser 6,633]

3 minutes ago, mari04 said:

Nowadays, they do not process i751 until you file n400. It seems like it for sure. 

Not true. My I-751 got approved without filing N-400. I know somebody personally with the same story.

 

Though, if end goal is naturalize quicker, then there is no point of waiting for I-751 approval.

 

My timeline:

 

December 2021 - I-751 sumbitted

April 2022 - Biometrics reused

August 2023 - I-751 approved

Edited September 12, 2023 by OldUser