Qian

Don’t quote me on this, but I want to say her son might qualify for 319B as well, I feel I read about it somewhere. I was trying to find it, but not yet. Do some reading on the USCIS policy manual, volume 12, Part G, Chapter 4. You can find almost everything here.

I found more info on this, ROC is still needed for 319B if you do not file N400 before reaching 90 day window. I’m glad that USCIS has clarified more on this- the filing of N400 matters. https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-g-chapter-5 Quote directly: Consequently, a CPR spouse is not required to file the petition to remove conditions if the spouse files his or her naturalization application before he or she reaches the 90-day filing period to remove the conditions on residence.[10] A CPR spouse of a U.S. citizen employed abroad may naturalize without filing a petition to remove conditions if: The CPR spouse has been a CPR for less than 1 year and 9 months; and The CPR spouse does not reach the 90-day filing period for the petition to remove conditions prior to the final adjudication of his or her naturalization application or the time of the Oath of Allegiance.[11]

P.S. I just saw this: “(2) Notify the Service immediately of any delay or cancellation of the citizen spouse's assignment abroad; and” from https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-319/section-319.2

Hi Mark, I can see this is being tricky, as we all want to do the right things. One hand I want to say that I personally do not see she getting in trouble if your assignment being cut short, assuming you company had provided you with a contract or things-alike stating your oversea assignment would be longer than a year to start the process. On the other hand though, I wonder if you were being called back before the process is over, you might have to offer this piece of information at least at the interview. This is just my personally oppinion. Good luck!

You are absolutely right on this. With all the transparent info and step by step instructions, straightforward cases like this can be easily DIY-ed. Not only about the coas, you are in control of your timelines and getting updates. Good luck everyone.

It used to be required when I applied, you might be right though, the April 2024 manual had a lot more mentions regarding 319B than before, I suggest everyone who is interested in this category read the filling instructions carefully. It has a lot of useful information. Like this:’’Military members applying under INA section 329 and certain spouses of U.S. citizens employed outside the United States by qualified organizations under INA section 319(b) do not need an approved Form I-751 or Form I-829.

319B doesn’t overwrites the green card requirements, I believe. One of the 319B criteria is to be a LPR at time of filing. Thats’ important. I would play safe traveling back and forth before you get approved. I remember I traveled about four times during the period, and I also always carried my acknowledgement letter of N400 with me. Even with that, one time at ORD I was suggested to get a “travel document”. Hope this helps. Congratulations @lovinglive BTW!

I’m not sure, you could always try, but I feel it might confuse things even more. I would keep things simple to make it easier for the officer who is handling your case.

I personally would not overthink and just answer as it is- Part 5 first asks about her physical address, that would be wherever you guys are living in right now. Then, you might have a US mailing address for the second part. It’d be better if you have one as it’s easier for them to contact the applicant- USCIS did call my mother-in-law to look for me for an interview date. Then your two different places should be listed too. She’s not abandoning her GC if she’s going to apply under 319B, as the continuous residence and the physical presence is not required. Also, that’s the whole purpose of the policy- to facilitate the spouse to live with the 319B qualified US citizen abroad. It works to her benefits really when she applies, because she needs to show her intention to leave the US to live with you after taking up the citizenship.

Hi there Lovinglive I totally get your confusion and frustration. To your question, the simple answer is- you are correct, filing the N-400 under 319B does not change the requirements for GC holders. You should start your N400 ASAP though, meanwhile, get the re-entry permit sorted out and/or have her go back to the States for some time. If you are qualified under 319B, it should be quick.

Yes, you will need to pay the biometric fee anyway. Consider that is also for “processing and validating” the cards you sent in.

Good to know the re-use of fingerprints is possible. Either way, the biometrics fee needs to be submitted correctly to avoid delay. I mailed in the requested fingerprints cards, and my status had also turned to “biometrics scheduled” before it changed to “reviewed”. I believe it’s a system default. Re your questions below If you want to send in fingerprints, the local police stations might be able to help. The embassy in Singapore do not provide the service, so mine was taken at the police station. The intention of return is simple. The applicant just needs to state the intention in writing. Almost word to word. All the best. Qian

Hi Lovinglive It’s very rewarding to hear that our experiences are helping other people! Regarding your questions, this is what I think. I hope others can offer some ideas too. 1. To file the N400 is pretty straightforward, just basic info and documents. The biggest part I think, it’s the cover letter and the employment contact, that to support your eligibility of 319B. You will need to convince the authorities that your job qualifies the requirements. Probably you could start writing it up already. 2. I do know people applied online from overseas and it went ok 3. You don’t have to include fingerprints at the initial stage, you can send it in later. I am not sure you can be exempted and somehow I feel maybe not, but they will let you know one way or another. If you want to save time, maybe get two sets done and send in all tougher. Good luck with the application!!! Qian

319B category still seems to be rather unfamiliar by many, even by who are eligible for, especially non-military applicants. I had been looking for 319B (civilian) info on the internet with very little luck. Few posts I found was from years ago, so I decided to share my experience with up-to-date info, document list, procedure, and even quote of T2 officers' email, to contribute my part in return of the great support I have got from VisaJourney. As well as for the future 319B applicants’ references. I was a 6 months conditional LPR when I applied for citizenship, and I became a US citizen in 3.5 months. I applied for both of my Green Card and citizenship from overseas. A few attorneys I had consulted with didn't want to take my case because “I don’t live in the States”. Thanks to USCIS website and Visa Journey, I managed to do it myself without any glitches. If you are a spouse of a US citizen employed abroad, you might be eligible for the expeditious naturalization under INA319B too. So, here’s the information and I hope it helps. My category, 319B is for the spouse of USC employed aboard in qualifying employments. First, timelines Married: Jan 07 2017 I-130 NOA1: Apr 19 2017 GC date: Jun 23 2018 N-400 NOA: Dec 24 2018 (Day 1) Interview scheduled: Mar 5 2019 (Day 71) Interview scheduled for: Mar 26 2019 (Day 92) Oath scheduled: Mar 29 2019 Oath: Apr 11 2019 (Day 108) Second, a few key points when filing: - LPR at the time of filing N-400 - Married more than one year when filing, and remain in a bona fide marital reunion with the USC spouse up until the Oath - The USC spouse works for an American firm or corporation engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce of the United States, or a subsidiary thereof (* Note #1) - The qualifying employment is scheduled for at least one year at the time of filing - No pending I-751 - Free to choose the location for interview within the U.S. - No requirements in terms of continuous residence and physical presence within the U.S. - No need to file I-751 if the Oath happens before the 90 days window of lifting of conditions (if you have reached 90 days, or have pending i751, you will have to do ROC first) - Be present in the U.S. for the interview and oath - Depart the U.S. and live with the USC spouse within 45 days after naturalization - Do NOT forget TWO photos and TWO sets of fingerprint cards in a sealed envelop NOTE #1: “engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce of the United States” is the trickiest part. Translation: Not all US companies’ overseas assignment posts are qualified. The key factor is that whether the nature of the overseas assignment benefits the US or not. For example, if a US company with thousands employees is manufacturing generators in Asia and sells them to the world, and the revenue goes back to the Asia entity, that might not qualify. Whereas if the US manufacturing company makes high-end audio components in the States, and the employee in Asia is to develop the Asian market, that would qualify. Also, if a US engineer consultancy firm only with 5 employees to provide consultancy services in Asia and send the production work back to the States, it would qualify. Third, my document list - Forms: N400, I551, etc. - Supporting documents (general, all photocopies): cover letter (* NOTE #2), Passports (both parties), birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decree, police clearance cert - Supporting documents(employment): company letter(*NOTE #3), business license, offer of employment(*NOTE #4) - Supporting documents(overseas residency): lease, bills, tax returns, local bank accounts, etc. - Supporting documents (intention of re-establishment of US residency (*NOTE #5)): property deed, bills, US bank account statements, etc. NOTE #2 Cover letter contains: why you qualify for 319B and proof, your intention of residing with you USC spouse and proof, your intention of re-establishing residency in the US after your spouse’s oversea assignment NOTE #3 Company letter contains: the nature of the company, if the company is wholly or partially owned by the US, the nature of the employee’s employment and overseas assignment, anticipated period of the overseas assignment, a mention of the name of the spouse to be naturalized NOTE #4 Offer of Employment, focus on the job description (how the employee’s job is benefiting the US economy), the duration of the overseas post (must be over a year from the time of N-400 filing) NOTE #5 To show your intention of re-establishing your US residency, you need to write up a statement stating so. Ideally accompanied by supporting documents, such as, US saving accounts, property purchase, pension savings, etc. Forth, the procedure (This is mine-applying from overseas. Cases may vary) 1. Submit your application- N400 along with supporting documents (Read the N400 instructions on USCIS website to determine where to send) 2. If you send TWO sets of fingerprint cards, you might be OK (depending on countries where you send from) 3. USCIS might send you a RFE to request FD258 (FBI specified fingerprint cards with an envelop to seal the cards) with instructions on where to send back 4. Go to a USCIS international field office, or embassy, or a police station where directed by the embassy, to get fingerprints taken. Enclose the cards in an envelop with signature and seal on the flap 5. Wait… 6. USCIS would contact you, and ask you to pick a date and time for interview In my case, I got an email from a Tier 2 officer asking me to indicate a date and time that I’m available for interview (*NOTE#6) 7. Get on the plane for your interview 8. They might give you the result after interview or not (depending on if your interviewer has the authority to approve your case) Mine didn’t get a result after the interview because “you case is uncomment, we need more review” 9. Three days later, I got a call from USCIS (Dallas) that they have date and time for me 10.I changed my ticket and attended my Oath Ceremony. The officer was still a little confused at the check-in seeing my conditional Green Card and without a ROC. So, I was asked to sit aside while other candidates were seated for the ceremony, when the officer went back to the office to search my case in the computer. But she came back in time and let me in for the ceremony. NOTE #6, document check list from the T2 officer Once the interview was scheduled, the officer kindly sent me an additional document check list- addition to the general list on the interview letter. See below: (Luckily, nothing was new than I had already submitted, so I just brought the originals with me. At the interview, the interviewer didn't even go through the documents, simply checked if everything was there, and scanned them (I guess) for the supervisor to review.) US spouse birth certificate Marriage certificate Statement from employer that includes the following: · Name and nature of employer · Employing entity is owned in whole or in part by the United States · Employing entity is engaged in whole or in part in the development of the foreign trade and commerce of the United States · Nature of the activity/duties of the US citizen and spouse · Anticipated period of employment abroad Category of Qualifying employment abroad Last, now you are a citizen but you have to leave the US right away We booked the tickets back to Singapore for the interview and had to change it for the Oath. Our departure date was 2 days after the ceremony, and my tickets were booked under my old passport and name. So, I made an appointment for passport with the embassy as soon as I got the oath date, and I decided to leave the US using my old passport. At the airline check-in, they DID ask about my green card, which never happened before when I left the US. I think there must be some sort of remarks on my documents that the airline can see, like “the traveller’ s GC has been cancelled”. Luckily, they were understanding enough to let me go with my old passport. I applied my passport in the US embassy in Singapore yesterday. The officer there was also confused that why I didn’t apply in the US, and how comes I got my citizenship while living in Singapore. But when I explained the 319B category, everything just came together. So, there you have it, the complete guide/experience of 319B for non-military applicants. My package has travelled to many places and managed to get to where and whom it needed to go. My biggest conclusion/take-away from this immigration process is that the system is quite established, reasonable, and fair, and if you follow the rules and the instructions, you will get there. Please, my fellow applicants, have confidence and faith in the process, and be patient. If anyone has any questions, I would love to help wherever I can. Best luck to you all! God bless.