Selective Serve Registration question.

[calypsoschnitzl]

Hi! First post here... I'm currently filling out the n-400 form, and I'm not sure how to answer that question (G. 33.): "Are you a male who lived in the United States at any time between your 18th and 26th birthdays in any status except as a lawful nonimmigrant?"

I've looked up answers on the forums and various other sites... but now I'm even more confused. Do I answer 'yes' or 'no'?

I've been in the US, legally since age 18, I was on a student visa until I got my green card at age 26. I'm now 30 years old, turning 31 in March. I don't remember ever registering with the Selective Service System. I guess I can find out with the SSS, but even then I wouldn't know what to answer due to the confusing nature of the question... Any help much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[GungaDin]

If you were in F-1 status until your 26th birthday then your answer is 'No'. If you lost F-1 status before your 26th birthday (e.g. if oyu used your EAD to get a job) then you need to answer Yes.

 

[calypsoschnitzl]

Ugh.. my brain is spinning. Between all the past forms, applications and changes of status, I'm not sure when I lost my f-1 status. Can USCIS tell me if I call them? Tnx!

 

[Jackolantern]

If you were in F-1 status until your 26th birthday then your answer is 'No'. If you lost F-1 status before your 26th birthday (e.g. if oyu used your EAD to get a job) then you need to answer Yes.

Not exactly. Using an EAD for OPT employment would still allow the F-1 status to be maintained.

 

[Jackolantern]

Ugh.. my brain is spinning. Between all the past forms, applications and changes of status, I'm not sure when I lost my f-1 status.

Surely you must know when you graduated from university, and can figure the rest out based on that? Your F-1 status would have been tied to your studies, followed by up to one year of OPT employment (which is also F-1 status).

Note that if you changed from F-1 status to another nonimmigrant status like J-1 or H1B, without any gaps in between the change, you would have maintained nonimmigrant status.

The bottom line is that you answer YES to that question only if you got your green card between your 18th and 26th birthday, or if you stayed in the US after you lost all forms of nonimmigrant status in that time frame.

Can USCIS tell me if I call them? Tnx!

Probably not.

 

[calypsoschnitzl]

Thnx for the help! Why can't the USCIS have a helpful forum like this one...? I know I started my green card process around my 26th birthday, and I became a permanent resident after my 26th birthday. I guess I'm not sure at this point what happened in between, and what status I was in, if my OPT was over or whatnot... I'll dwell deeper in my paper salad tomorrow... not going to make any more progress tonight..

Thanks again!

Surely you must know when you graduated from university, and can figure the rest out based on that? Your F-1 status would have been tied to your studies, followed by up to one year of OPT employment (which is also F-1 status).

Note that if you changed from F-1 status to another nonimmigrant status like J-1 or H1B, without any gaps in between the change, you would have maintained nonimmigrant status.

The bottom line is that you answer YES to that question only if you got your green card between your 18th and 26th birthday, or if you stayed in the US after you lost all forms of nonimmigrant status in that time frame.

Probably not.

 

[GungaDin]

If you were in F-1 status until your 26th birthday then your answer is 'No'. If you lost F-1 status before your 26th birthday (e.g. if oyu used your EAD to get a job) then you need to answer Yes.

Not exactly. Using an EAD for OPT employment would still allow the F-1 status to be maintained.

Jackolantern. You are correct. I forgot about the F-1 OPT (its been a long time...)
I was referring to any EAD that was issued in conjunction with the Adjustment of Status (I-485). I don't think the F-1 is a dual-intent visa so F-1 status is lost at the point of filing of AOS. So upon further thought, the EAD issue doesn't even apply here. (it only applies to dual-intent visas)

So the threshold date is actually the date of filing the AOS (not the GC approval). If I-485 was filed before the 26th birthday, then the answer to the SS question is 'YES' if it was filed after the 26th Birthday, the answer is NO.

 

[pone79]

calypsoschnitzl, if you are registered for Selective services then you will need a SS registration number to proceed. Otherwise you will need a status information letter from selective services where they will say why you couldn't register.

I was in preety much the same boat as you. I became US permanent resident 4 months before my 26th birthday and never myself registered for Selective services. I wrote to them, requesting a status information letter almost 4 months back and still waiting to here from them.

But apparantely it seems that imigration registeres people when they get their GC. I just called Selective services and they could confirm the same. I would suggest you do the same. The number is 1-847-688-6888. Have your social ready. Also have a pan near by to wrte your registration number as you already might be registered. Please remember it can be a pain getting hold of someone when you call so please be patient and persistent. Good luck.