Getting ready for interview...question about trip length

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chigc2002

Registered Users (C)
Well folks....we're (spouse and I) getting ready for our interview next week. I think we've got our documents lined up for the most part. I did have a nagging concern about two trips outside the US and here it is:

I took two trips outside the US- one each in 2007 and 2008. The planned visit each time was 4 weeks- attend weddings in the family etc. The one in 2007 had to be extended for additional 2 weeks due to a parent's illness and subsequent surgery. Therefore, I ended up with a 6plus-week trip in 2007 and 4-week trip in 2008. That, in itself should not be an issue- HOWEVER- and here is 'nagging' part- on my return to the US in 2007- the IO at the airport asked me why I stayed out for so long. I answered his question (wedding, illness etc.) and mentioned that I have the ability to work over the Internet (telecommute) and he looked at me funny- almost in disbelief.:rolleyes:

Here is my question- if the same question/concern comes up again during the interview- do I just say that I took unpaid leave in 2007 beyond my vacation time (4 weeks) or do I mention that I worked remotely for a couple of weeks. Will this cause any un-necessary confusion and/or tax concerns ? Just thinking out loud.

Apologize if my question seems incoherent.
Your response is appreciated.
 
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Travel less than 6 months is not an issue at all.

I suppose you mentioned these trips in your N-400. Leave it at that. You will not be queried and don't volunteer anymore information.

Take your tax transcripts with you though.

Best of luck
 
Each person that goes for an interview gets a little anxious. Believe me i have been there. The interview is just a formality. The IO's are human too, they are notmean ogres.
Just relax be yourself and you will be fine.
 
That was your mistake. Never volunteer information :)
You should be fine. A trip of 6 weeks will not, in itself, result in your N-400 being denied!!!

chigc2002 said:
I answered his question (wedding, illness etc.) and mentioned that I have the ability to work over the Internet (telecommute)
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Perhaps my response could be considered 'volunteering information'. I was just answering his question about - 'how come I was away from work for so long'. In any case, I may be making too much about this whole issue but it never hurts to get more experienced folks to chime in with their input.
thanks !
Triple Citizen said:
That was your mistake. Never volunteer information :)
You should be fine. A trip of 6 weeks will not, in itself, result in your N-400 being denied!!!
Click to expand...
 
chigc2002 said:
Perhaps my response could be considered 'volunteering information'. I was just answering his question about - 'how come I was away from work for so long'. In any case, I may be making too much about this whole issue but it never hurts to get more experienced folks to chime in with their input.
thanks !
Click to expand...

Some officers have the tendency to make things hard at POE. A 6 week trip is hardly "long" and other forum members are right, never volunteer information. if you had been sent to secondary, then you could've given your entire story.
 
chigc2002 said:
Well folks....we're (spouse and I) getting ready for our interview next week. I think we've got our documents lined up for the most part. I did have a nagging concern about two trips outside the US and here it is:

I took two trips outside the US- one each in 2007 and 2008. The planned visit each time was 4 weeks- attend weddings in the family etc. The one in 2007 had to be extended for additional 2 weeks due to a parent's illness and subsequent surgery. Therefore, I ended up with a 6plus-week trip in 2007 and 4-week trip in 2008. That, in itself should not be an issue- HOWEVER- and here is 'nagging' part- on my return to the US in 2007- the IO at the airport asked me why I stayed out for so long. I answered his question (wedding, illness etc.) and mentioned that I have the ability to work over the Internet (telecommute) and he looked at me funny- almost in disbelief.:rolleyes:

Here is my question- if the same question/concern comes up again during the interview- do I just say that I took unpaid leave in 2007 beyond my vacation time (4 weeks) or do I mention that I worked remotely for a couple of weeks. Will this cause any un-necessary confusion and/or tax concerns ? Just thinking out loud.

Apologize if my question seems incoherent.
Your response is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Ok - what is wrong with a 6 week trip? I think perhaps the IO was inquisitive as he does not have 6 weeks worth of vacation or time off at his current level. In either case, if you are within the law, you do not have to justify your actions. I am not advocating that you be rude to the IO at the time of your interview, but you simply have to say I had to extend my trip due to unexpected illness - period. If he/she asks how that is possible, then you can say you had the leave time accrued and see if they can argue with that. Heck you can say you carried over vacation time from 2006! I do that all the time and am planning a 6 week trip in Nov/Dec of this year.

I agree with TripleCitizen - never volunteer information. Telecommuting opens a big can of worms and new line of questioning as the IO can now try to sniff around and see if you have stayed out longer other times because you have the ability to work remotely.
 
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LolaLi.....I could not agree with you more.... I must add that the IO was not rude merely surprised at the extended stay- it caught me off guard and since it was legitimate extension of my trip- I had no hesitation in answering the IO's question. I'll file this experience as a lesson learned. :rolleyes: and I'll be sure to share our experience on this board...stay tuned ;)


LolaLi said:
Ok - what is wrong with a 6 week trip? I think perhaps the IO was inquisitive as he does not have 6 weeks worth of vacation or time off at his current level. In either case, if you are within the law, you do not have to justify your actions. I am not advocating that you rude to the IO at the time of your interview, but you simply have to say I had to extend my trip due to unexpected illness - period. If he/she asks how that is possible, then you can say you had the leave time accrued and see if they can argue with that. Heck you can say you carried over vacation time from 2006! I do that all the time and am planning a 6 week trip in Nov/Dec of this year.

I agree with TripleCitizen - never volunteer information. Telecommuting opens a big can of worms and new line of questioning as the IO can now try to sniff around and see if you have stayed out longer other times because you have the ability to remotely.
Click to expand...
 
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