Timing of Citizenship Application?

[sanjay76]

Folks,

I am hoping someone can help me...

I along with my wife can apply for citizenship in Sept 09 (since I would have had my green card for 5 yrs by then).. but my wife is leaving for India in Oct 09 and coming back Jan 2010.. and I would be going to India in end of Nov and coming back by Dec 25th...

My question: Given the above travel plans..can I start the process in Sept 09?? Anyone with similar experience ..or any idea ..please respond...

Thanks
Sanjay

 

[NewRunner]

I along with my wife can apply for citizenship in Sept 09 (since I would have had my green card for 5 yrs by then).. but my wife is leaving for India in Oct 09 and coming back Jan 2010.. and I would be going to India in end of Nov and coming back by Dec 25th...

My question: Given the above travel plans..can I start the process in Sept 09??

Given the introduction of the lockbox process for N-400s and the centralized processing of these applications at the National Benefits Center (NBC), it is almost certain that your wife will miss receiving her fingerprint notice which is usually sent out within 4 to 6 weeks of application processing, and sometimes sooner. In your case, you may not miss your fingerprint notice nor the appointment, but you may miss both your interview letter and interview appointment.

Seeing both of your current travel plans, I would recommend applying after you are both back in the U.S. in Jan 2010.

 

[saf]

Folks,

I am hoping someone can help me...

I along with my wife can apply for citizenship in Sept 09 (since I would have had my green card for 5 yrs by then).. but my wife is leaving for India in Oct 09 and coming back Jan 2010.. and I would be going to India in end of Nov and coming back by Dec 25th...

My question: Given the above travel plans..can I start the process in Sept 09?? Anyone with similar experience ..or any idea ..please respond...

Thanks
Sanjay

I suggest that you should apply after you get back because if your wife applies in Sept, she will likely miss her fingerprint appointment. If your wife applies in Sept and she wants to postpone her fingerprint appointment (they will re-schedule from one week to a month), she will likely miss her finger appointment again since she won't be back until Jan 2010 and her application will be considered abandoned.

Or you can apply for yourself in Sept and get your fingerprint appt done and then leave for India at the end of Nov. Your wife can apply in Jan 2010.

It's up to you and your wife. Be aware: The citizenship process can be done very quickly like 3 months to 4 months. It depends on district office processing times. I strongly recommend both of you not to apply until both of you come back in Jan 2010. Good luck!

 

[sanjay76]

Thanks Guys!

I suggest that you should apply after you get back because if your wife applies in Sept, she will likely miss her fingerprint appointment. If your wife applies in Sept and she wants to postpone her fingerprint appointment (they will re-schedule from one week to a month), she will likely miss her finger appointment again since she won't be back until Jan 2010 and her application will be considered abandoned.

Or you can apply for yourself in Sept and get your fingerprint appt done and then leave for India at the end of Nov. Your wife can apply in Jan 2010.

It's up to you and your wife. Be aware: The citizenship process can be done very quickly like 3 months to 4 months. It depends on district office processing times. I strongly recommend both of you not to apply until both of you come back in Jan 2010. Good luck!