Jump to content
HOUNOV2017

Houston N-400 Filers

 Share

1,563 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

13 hours ago, murfie said:

I will be in the ceremony as you, April 3rd. Very excited to be at the end of this journey!

Same here! Although I'm naturalizing through marriage after 3 years (though the process took like 4.5 years) this whole immigration thing has taken me 28 years. Finally, there's an end in sight! 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: India
Timeline
38 minutes ago, Ava2019 said:

Hi all,

 

this forum is so helpful to keep track of the N-400 process.

 

My Priority Date is May 31st, 2018. Hoping to get a notification change for an interview this month. 

 

 

I THINK you should have something the week of 22nd April if not sooner

 

Keep us posted. Good Luck !

 

Edited by natvyas
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

I filed my N-400 yesterday online and it claims "Estimated case completion time" of 24 month.  Is this Accurate?

 

My local office is Houston. 

ROC

 

03/05/2019 Notice to Transfer to Nebraska Service Center

04/05/2018 NOA from CSC (Biometrics waved) 

 

AOS

 

09/15/2016 EAD/AP Approved, Card in production, 09/23/2016 EAD/AP Received!

07/26/2015 Biometrics Notice Mailed (Appt 08/12/2015)

07/17/2015 NOA I-130/AOS/EAD/AP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: India
Timeline
2 hours ago, Henry357 said:

I filed my N-400 yesterday online and it claims "Estimated case completion time" of 24 month.  Is this Accurate?

 

My local office is Houston. 

Per the current trend, Notice Interview Notice in about 11-12 months from filing and Oath ceremony 12-13 months from filing

 

You can see the trend here that I'm talking about;

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JaGrvtrBcjYZoG3WJ3Qp3QqOipnvz2lF-9x8t7xfeE8/edit#gid=0

 

Edited by natvyas
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline
23 hours ago, natvyas said:

Per the current trend, Notice Interview Notice in about 11-12 months from filing and Oath ceremony 12-13 months from filing

 

You can see the trend here that I'm talking about;

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JaGrvtrBcjYZoG3WJ3Qp3QqOipnvz2lF-9x8t7xfeE8/edit#gid=0

 

This is correct. I naturalized yesterday, 13 months after submitting the application. My estimated processing time was Feb 2020.

 

Naturalization ceremony was awesome! 2263 people naturalizing from 132 different countries. There are no restrictions on how many people you can bring to the Houston ceremony since M.O. Campbell Center is huge, so there were tons of people. 

 

Pro tip for the Houston ceremony... parking is INSANE. Get there as close to 7am (or earlier) as possible. We arrived at 7:15 (two kids under two to get ready!) and the east parking lot was already full. Yikes.

 

Best of luck for anyone still waiting! I don't know what to do with myself now that for the first time in a decade I don't have to worry about immigration!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Malaysia
Timeline

Hello Everyone! 

 

Thank you all for your updates, it has been very helpful. I just got my interview notice today, i filed May 22nd of last year. How long does it take for me to get the actual interview day?

 

Thanks in Advance.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, HTOWNLim said:

Hello Everyone! 

 

Thank you all for your updates, it has been very helpful. I just got my interview notice today, i filed May 22nd of last year. How long does it take for me to get the actual interview day?

 

Thanks in Advance.

 

Usually 4 to 5 weeks before the actual interview day from the day they sent you the notice, your interview notice will be available online under the tab documents if you have an online account, you will receive a regular letter as well from USCIS.

 

VERMONT SERVICE CENTER - I-751 ROC

05/11/17: Date of I-751
05/12/17: VSC received our package

05/12/17: NOA Date
05/14/17: NOA Arrived in the mail & check cashed

06/22/17: Biometrics Appointment at ASC Manhattan

04/09/18: Online changed to case transferred to local office but no actual letter

06/13/18: Card Being Produced - NO RFE/NO INTERVIEW

06/16/18: Approval Letter arrived in the mail with 06/13/18 approval date

06/18/18: Card was picked up by USPS

06/20/18: Received 10 years Green Card from the mail - END OF I-751 JOURNEY!

 

E-FILING (IOE) N-400 APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION

06/21/18: Submitted Online
06/22/18: Received NOA Online

06/23/18: Online account updated to Biometrics scheduled on 07/12/18

06/25/18: NOA letter arrived in the mail

06/28/18: Biometrics appointment letter arrived in the mail

07/12/18: Biometrics appointment at ASC Manhattan

02/28/19: In Line for Interview

03/01/19: Interview Date is on 04/08/19

04/08/19: Interview Day: Approved on the spot

04/09/19: We Scheduled your Oath Ceremony 

04/12/19: Oath Letter arrived in the mail

05/02/19: Oath Ceremony - OFFICIALLY U.S. CITIZEN AND END OF IMMIGRATION JOURNEY!

 

DS-11 - APPLICATION FOR US PASSPORT BOOK AND CARD

05/02/19: Submitted application thru USPS - Expedited
05/06/19: Received email, passport application is now traceable online thru Travel.State.gov website (https://passportstatus.state.gov/Search)

05/08/19: Received email, passport has been printed and it's on final processing
05/09/19: Received email, passport application has been finished processing with USPS tracking number and expected delivery is on 05/14/2019

05/10/19: Receive email from USPS informed Delivery - Expected Passport delivery is on 05/11/2019

05/11/19: Passport book received thru USPS Priority Mail

05/13/19: Passport card received

05/14/19: Naturalization Certificate back - END OF PASSPORT APPLICATION!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello everyone,

 

I’m new here and just wanted to share my experience thus far.

 

I got my interview notification on 4/4/2019. My interview date is 5/10/2019 and my priority date is 5/28/2018.

 

Does anyone know the timeframe between the interview and the oath ceremony? I have an international trip scheduled for 5/31 and I’ll be out of the country for about a week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: India
Timeline
5 hours ago, tbecky876 said:

Hello everyone,

 

I’m new here and just wanted to share my experience thus far.

 

I got my interview notification on 4/4/2019. My interview date is 5/10/2019 and my priority date is 5/28/2018.

 

Does anyone know the timeframe between the interview and the oath ceremony? I have an international trip scheduled for 5/31 and I’ll be out of the country for about a week.

awesome ...good luck..keep us posted

 

30-60 days ...its a big range...given no of applicants in houston...but this is a timeframe exceptions do occur

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I naturalized on April 3rd. This was my experience.

 

The letter said the Oath Ceremony began at 7AM, and to get there at least 30 minutes early. (Same-sex couple here) So my husband and I both took the day off and woke up super early to get there around 6:30AM. USCIS officers were outside MO Educational Center to look at our letters, they'd tell us which entrance we needed to go to. I was "Section 3," so I needed to go to the other entrance.

 

We were made to wait outside for 30 minutes. Entering was kind of confusing. You were supposed to be in line, but you couldn't tell which line was what. So that was kind of blah. Inside there were small tables set up, each with a sign above them that said what section they were. You check in and give them your letter and your green card. Then they handed you a colored slip. After that, you could go in the auditorium. Then they start the announcements.

 

Well, ladies and gentleman, this is where my husband and I find out that while the letter said the ceremony begins at 7, it truly doesn't begin until 10 AM! The reason, the announcer said, is so that they can get everyone in before the ceremony starts. He also mentioned that some letters said different times, which makes me think they do that to come in staggered times so that they don't all come at once. This also is the reason they give the slips.

 

The announcer says that we could do the following (that day) once we naturalize: Register to vote, update our Social Security Card, and Apply for our Passport. I was all ready. I’d read on VisaJourney that they have reps from the SSA and the USPS so I filled my application online and brought my checkbook and photos. An hour before the ceremony starts, he tells us the reps from SSA and USPS didn't show up.


We saw all kinds of different people streaming. A young guy even came with a USA flag suit, very flashy. The letter says not to wear jeans, but I actually saw a lot of people wearing jeans... I didn't know how to feel about that. Anyways, we waited in our seats until 10 finally came around. They had food and beverage, but they only took cash. I'd only brought my card and checkbook. It finally started around 10:15. A few people gave some speeches. They recognized the people from the Army that were naturalizing. It was ceremonial and beautiful to see everyone so happy. I caught a few people crying. They sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee."  I think the whole ceremony part took like 20 minutes. Finally, you could go pick up your certificate. This is where the slips came in. Colors corresponded to how early you arrived. Green was first, then Pink (Me), then Yellow…and I didn’t hear the rest. After this, you could go home.

 

They set up a "picture station" where people lined up to take selfies. I think this took the longest, and had the SSA and USPS people been there, I don't know if I would have done it. Most people were considerate. They took 3-5 picture pictures of each other before they went about their day, except this one lady who went back like 3 times, cutting in front of others and took like 1000 pictures. It was very rude and people from the back yelled at her to leave.


So my hopes of not having to take more time off deflated because of the no-show reps. Oh well. But, being as impatient as I am, I booked an appointment after the ceremony at the Houston Public Library near my apartment to get my passport.


That was my experience.

Edited by bonhomme
Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, bonhomme said:

I naturalized on April 3rd. This was my experience.

 

The letter said the Oath Ceremony began at 7AM, and to get there at least 30 minutes early. (Same-sex couple here) So my husband and I both took the day off and woke up super early to get there around 6:30AM. USCIS officers were outside MO Educational Center to look at our letters, they'd tell us which entrance we needed to go to. I was "Section 3," so I needed to go to the other entrance.

 

We were made to wait outside for 30 minutes. Entering was kind of confusing. You were supposed to be in line, but you couldn't tell which line was what. So that was kind of blah. Inside there were small tables set up, each with a sign above them that said what section they were. You check in and give them your letter and your green card. Then they handed you a colored slip. After that, you could go in the auditorium. Then they start the announcements.

 

Well, ladies and gentleman, this is where my husband and I find out that while the letter said the ceremony begins at 7, it truly doesn't begin until 10 AM! The reason, the announcer said, is so that they can get everyone in before the ceremony starts. He also mentioned that some letters said different times, which makes me think they do that to come in staggered times so that they don't all come at once. This also is the reason they give the slips.

 

The announcer says that we could do the following (that day) once we naturalize: Register to vote, update our Social Security Card, and Apply for our Passport. I was all ready. I’d read on VisaJourney that they have reps from the SSA and the USPS so I filled my application online and brought my checkbook and photos. An hour before the ceremony starts, he tells us the reps from SSA and USPS didn't show up.


We saw all kinds of different people streaming. A young guy even came with a USA flag suit, very flashy. The letter says not to wear jeans, but I actually saw a lot of people wearing jeans... I didn't know how to feel about that. Anyways, we waited in our seats until 10 finally came around. They had food and beverage, but they only took cash. I'd only brought my card and checkbook. It finally started around 10:15. A few people gave some speeches. They recognized the people from the Army that were naturalizing. It was ceremonial and beautiful to see everyone so happy. I caught a few people crying. They sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee."  I think the whole ceremony part took like 20 minutes. Finally, you could go pick up your certificate. This is where the slips came in. Colors corresponded to how early you arrived. Green was first, then Pink (Me), then Yellow…and I didn’t hear the rest. After this, you could go home.

 

They set up a "picture station" where people lined up to take selfies. I think this took the longest, and had the SSA and USPS people been there, I don't know if I would have done it. Most people were considerate. They took 3-5 picture pictures of each other before they went about their day, except this one lady who went back like 3 times, cutting in front of others and took like 1000 pictures. It was very rude and people from the back yelled at her to leave.


So my hopes of not having to take more time off deflated because of the no-show reps. Oh well. But, being as impatient as I am, I booked an appointment after the ceremony at the Houston Public Library near my apartment to get my passport.


That was my experience.

How was the interview for citizenship? Thanks and congrats!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/25/2019 at 7:49 PM, bonhomme said:

My interview was scheduled at 2:10pm. I got to the USCIS center at 1:20. It was too early and my husband and I waited for it to be 1:40 for us to go in.

 

We went through security fairly quickly. I was glad we waited because I noticed at check-in that the guy looked at my interview time and this little cheat sheet with appointment times and the allowable times those can check in at. He gave me back my appointment letter and told us to wait. It was pretty full. There was one side that was mostly empty, so we waited there. 

 

We were a combo interview. So the officer did the 751 first. My IO was a woman. She had us sit down then we did an oath to tell the truth. She asked for our names, address, and shot me a look and asked me my husband's DOB, which I answered pretty quickly. 

 

Then I almost had a panic attack because she asked me for stuff I didn't bring. The tax transcript for 2017 (I'd brought 2016 thinking it was 2017). She asked about a joint bank account, and we told her about Venmo. She asked for our lease, but when we showed her she said it needed to be signed. We explained it was e-signed. But luckily, that didn't hinder us at all. She asked us questions about which one of cooks, how we met, where have we traveled together. Things were more relaxed after that. She even asked if went to Tulum when we went to Cancun.

 

She approved my removal of conditions. She said she needed to get it signed off and then she would do the citizenship interview. She signaled us to the waiting room. After about 20 minutes she called us back. She asked me questions about my application. Then went to the interview.

 

  1. Who does a senator represent? All the people in a state
  2. Why did the colonists declare independence? For being taxed without representation 
  3. What's the capital of the US? Washington DC 
  4. What is the Capital of Texas? Austin 
  5. What Ocean is on the east coast? Atlantic 
  6. What's one right the first amendment gives you? Freedom of speech 

 

 

I got them right. She asked to read, "What do we pay the government?"

I wrote, “We pay taxes"

 

She told me I was approved and that I'd ever have my oath ceremony on March 13 or April 17.

 

That was it!

@lovemywife85

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...