I printed out the official 100 questions. Wife rewrote them by hand, and studied those....beginning 2 or 3 weeks before the interview. Along the way, she and I did a few verbal practice sessions.
You still have several months before you can apply. I just uploaded a business format letter requesting a combo interview to the additional evidence area during the N-400 online application. At the time, we had been waiting 40 months for I-751 approval (No RFEs).
If the interviewing officer has any questions about your marital union, the best remedy would be for the spouse to be there. Why take a chance on delaying the process. It just makes sense for the US spouse to attend.
Chapter 2 - Marriage and Marital Union for Naturalization | USCIS
"In general, all naturalization applicants filing on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen must continue to be the spouse of a U.S. citizen from the time of filing the naturalization application until the applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance."
The I-485, I-765 do not apply since you are outside the US.
Option 1: DCF (Spousal Visa) if you have exceptional circumstances
Option 2: US spouse starts the spousal visa process by filing an I-130 with USCIS.
You cannot enter the US as a visitor with the intent to stay and file an I-485. Good luck.
A Neighbor just sent her I-485 package a couple weeks ago. Yesterday, they received an RFE for the I-864 income. Would you use adequate assets to resubmit...or would you get a qualified joint sponsor with spouse? Why?
That is not correct. They would come via immigrant visas (IR-5). Upon entry into the US, they automatically become Green Card holders IMMEDIATELY. They can then immediately exit the country and re=enter as Green Card holders.
Looks like they CAN travel before the visas expire in May. They would rather not. In that case, they will have to start from scratch if the visas expire.
If the visas expire, they will, likely, not have a choice.
They should travel to the US before the visas expire, then immediately (like immediately) return to home country to tie up loose ends.