When to apply N-400 with planned trips ahead?

[Bill Hamze 91]

We're already eligible to apply as our POE was in the beginning of June 2022. Been getting our ducks in a row to help my wife apply for naturalization, and our document package is about 90% there. Just need a couple of updates to our insurance docs.

 

My question is whether we should apply ASAP or wait until after our upcoming vacation in mid-May. We'll be out of town for a week, and I don't want anything to be scheduled in THAT week. This trip is already booked with flights, etc. Cannot be changed. Another reason to wait until May is we will have a corrected deed with both of our full legal names on it. 

 

On the other hand, we're planning to go to my wife's sister's wedding next March in Vietnam and she wants to make it an extended trip (like 2 months). We haven't booked anything yet, so there's still flexibility... but I'm also concerned if we wait until late May to apply, the case could get dragged out in the current climate and worst case, get an interview or oath ceremony scheduled while she's out of the country. 

 

Thoughts? Apply ASAP or wait until after our May trip and hope the whole case takes 7 months or less?

[OldUser 8,495]

Only you and her can make that decision. 

 

If you apply now, there's a chance of biometrics appointment and smaller, but still change for interview. If you can afford losing the Mid May trip, you can take a chance and apply now.

 

Whatever you do, I recommend prioritizing naturalization over anything else. There was this thread where somebody pushed their oath several times to the point it got complicated:

 

 

 

 

[Lemonslice 5,060]

2 hours ago, Bill Hamze said:

We're already eligible to apply as our POE was in the beginning of June 2022. Been getting our ducks in a row to help my wife apply for naturalization, and our document package is about 90% there. Just need a couple of updates to our insurance docs.

 

My question is whether we should apply ASAP or wait until after our upcoming vacation in mid-May. We'll be out of town for a week, and I don't want anything to be scheduled in THAT week. This trip is already booked with flights, etc. Cannot be changed. Another reason to wait until May is we will have a corrected deed with both of our full legal names on it. 

 

On the other hand, we're planning to go to my wife's sister's wedding next March in Vietnam and she wants to make it an extended trip (like 2 months). We haven't booked anything yet, so there's still flexibility... but I'm also concerned if we wait until late May to apply, the case could get dragged out in the current climate and worst case, get an interview or oath ceremony scheduled while she's out of the country. 

 

Thoughts? Apply ASAP or wait until after our May trip and hope the whole case takes 7 months or less?

I would apply a week or so before you May vacations.  You might receive communication from them during your vacations, but you will be able to act on it when you are back.   What are the current timelines at your local office?

[OldUser 8,495]

5 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

I would apply a week or so before you May vacations.  

That's a great idea

[Bill Hamze 91]

14 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

I would apply a week or so before you May vacations.  You might receive communication from them during your vacations, but you will be able to act on it when you are back.   What are the current timelines at your local office?

 

We could do that... our field office will be Washington or maybe Baltimore. Both are at 5.5-7 months overall. Maybe tack on an extra month or two, if we apply in May that gets us to February with a month or so to get the passport before our next trip overseas. We can wait to book that until we get the oath ceremony scheduled. 

 

Thank you both.

[ua2024 10]

On 3/15/2025 at 4:36 PM, Lemonslice said:

I would apply a week or so before you May vacations.  You might receive communication from them during your vacations, but you will be able to act on it when you are back.   What are the current timelines at your local office?

Think they have to give 1 month notice before actual interview, so could apply 2-3 weeks before going on vacation.

[Bill Hamze 91]

3 hours ago, ua2024 said:

Think they have to give 1 month notice before actual interview, so could apply 2-3 weeks before going on vacation.

 

If they don't reuse biometrics, do they also give 1 month notice before bio?

[OldUser 8,495]

16 minutes ago, Bill Hamze said:

 

If they don't reuse biometrics, do they also give 1 month notice before bio?

Typically few weeks, could be less than 1 month