Filing N400 while oversea

[seattlebear]

I'm going to be eligible for filing N-400 in a few days. However, I need to take a business trip which will last for 6 weeks. Can I file N-400 while being oversea? If so, how should I fill the question C in Part 7 (list all trips in the past 5 years)? It asks for the departure date and the return date. If the return date is a date in the future, will it pose a problem? Or the return date should be left empty?

Thanks a lot for your help,

Seattlebear

 

[boatbod]

Do yourself a favor and hold off filing the N-400 until you return. Chances are good that your FP appointment may well be scheduled within the first 4-6 weeks after filing.

 

[sunesh369]

There is really no rule that you cannot file while out of the country. So you should be able to file. Why wait?
Our lives shouldnot revolve around INS' timelines - if we are eligible we should apply - and if things dont happen as per plan (like what boatbod says that fingerprinting might come earlier than you coming back to the country) - there are always ways to tackle that eventually.
I think you should apply anyway...

 

[boatbod]

sunesh369 - theoretically I agree with you, but practically speaking, its far too easy to drop out of the "fast track". Conventional wisdom around here suggests doing everything possible to avoid rescheduling any appointment, especially interview and oath. Certainly its not such a big deal rescheduling fingerprints, but at the end of the day, whats another month wait when you've already been through a 5-7 year immigration journey?

 

[rwsh]

I agree that filing while out of the country would be fraught with problems, at best. Don’t do it.

You might file ahead of time but if you do, make sure that you have somebody check your mail while you are gone.

You can do a "walk-in" if you miss the FP appointment. However, as Boatbod suggests, it is most inadvisable to miss or postpone your interview appointment when it comes.

If you do make trips out of the country after filing, remember to keep a record of them and volunteer the info. at your interview as an “update” to your N-400. This is normal and should not be a problem.

 

[Flydog]

Days and small numbers of weeks in this process don't matter. However, if you fall off the "fast track", you can start thinking of delays in terms of months and years. Follow boatbod's and rwsh's advice.

Get the form all filled out (including your upcoming trip) and ready to mail. Drop off at a post office the day you get back (or the next day) and send it my prefered way: "certified mail with return receipt". Then, sit back and wait.