Can I leave USA for 3 weeks during N-400 process?

[tar9918]

Hi,

By March 20, 2007, I will be PR for 5 years, and I also plan apply for naturalization (n-400) in Jan 22.

Can I leave USA for 2-3 weeks in March. Can I do that? Should I schedule my international trip before I submit N-400 or during the N-400 process? I'm sure in the first 30 days after I submit the application, USCIS will not call me.

Thanks alot!

 

[N400Applier]

Hi,

By March 20, 2007, I will be PR for 5 years, and I also plan apply for naturalization (n-400) in Jan 22.

Can I leave USA for 2-3 weeks in March. Can I do that? Should I schedule my international trip before I submit N-400 or during the N-400 process? I'm sure in the first 30 days after I submit the application, USCIS will not call me.

Thanks alot!

You may be wrong. After I applied for my N-400 within 4 weeks my Finger Printing was done. So you have two choices:

1. Come back after you trip and then apply for your N-400.
2. If applying before your trip finish with your FP before your trip.

 

[hh137]

Hi,

By March 20, 2007, I will be PR for 5 years, and I also plan apply for naturalization (n-400) in Jan 22.

Can I leave USA for 2-3 weeks in March. Can I do that? Should I schedule my international trip before I submit N-400 or during the N-400 process? I'm sure in the first 30 days after I submit the application, USCIS will not call me.

Thanks alot!

Sure, you can travel all you want as long as you don't exceed the usual restrictions. (I've had several business-related overseas trips for a total of 70 days outside the US so far.) However, if you are away during a scheduled appointment, you will face delays of the whole process. For example, fingerprinting usually is scheduled about 20-30 days after USCIS receives your application. You can reschedule or -- better -- you can simply take your fingerprinting notice to the office mentioned in the notification letter, explain the situation, and ask whether you can have the fingerprinting done right then. Usually, they will allow you to do this, or at least tell you when to come back. You can also ask for another appointment by mail, but that usually takes much longer.

If you apply by the end of January, you can expect to have your fingerprinting scheduled towards the end of February. So you should be okay if you plan to travel during (the second half of) March. (But, of course, sometimes things do go wrong...)