Help me Please Specially you fine people of the state VA and DC.

R

Raju in Philly

Registered Users (C)
Hello Friends,
First of all let me begin by saying thank you so much for reading my post. Well it has been a while since I last posted my questions (they were all regarding my green card problems) Anyway time flies and I guess here I am jumping in USCIS’s fire AGAIN. My story I am an Indian citizen married to a USC. We currently live in Philly PA and will be moving to northern VA. I got my green card because I am married to a USC. I came to the US on a F1 (Student Visa). On June 1st 2008 my official address will be of VA. We are moving to VA because my wife has got a great promotion in her company which means I am leaving my job in PA (this is my last month oh well did not like my job anyway time to get a new one in a new place). I am detailing some important dates for your reference so you guys can guide me, give me your opinions and best suggestions so I have an accurate picture of what I will be dealing with in the coming months.
I applied for my green card in 2002 but I got my green card in 2005 I was caught in that never ending investigation called name check by the FBI. I contacted my Senator, FBI and USCIS a million times and still there were no results and finally I took the help of my local congressman and he made it all possible and I was so glad that it was over. Can’t believe I have to go through it AGAIN and this time I don’t even have my congressman to help since we are moving to VA. There are couple of questions I have before I jump in the fire:
1) When do I become eligible to apply for citizenship? 2) If I am eligible to apply in June 2008 is it okay to be unemployed and apply for citizenship? (Of course my top priority is to get a job in VA but at least can I apply? Or job is a must? 4) What office I would be dealing with? What service center? Currently my file is in Philly PA as I got my green card in Philly.5) what is the Min and Max time for processing citizenship paperwork these days in VA? 6) Do you guys recommend I hire a lawyer? If so who? Can you guys please give me phone # of a good lawyer in VA area? 7) Me and my wife are planning to go to India in June/July 2009 can we go with my pending citizenship? Or I can’t leave the US? I guess that is about it for now. Sorry for my long post and too many questions I really apologize. Once again thank you so much for taking the time to read and answer my posting I really appreciate it. Thanks have a great day and GOD BLESS. :)

Raju
My Green Card Dates:
US Resident Since: 08/05/05 Card Expires: 08/23/15
 
1) When do I become eligible to apply for citizenship?
Since from you post it appears you received your GC through marriage to a USC, you can apply 90 days before your 3rd Anniv. Date of GC approval
2) If I am eligible to apply in June 2008 is it okay to be unemployed and apply for citizenship? (Yes) can I apply? (Yes) Or job is a must? ((NO)
4) What office I would be dealing with? What service center? You do not deal with an Office, you will still send the completed application to the VSC
5) what is the Min and Max time for processing citizenship paperwork these days in VA? (Oh Boy, check my signature and view the file that I am maintaining)
6) Do you guys recommend I hire a lawyer? (No you do not need one if you believe your case is simple and straightforward, depends on your case) If so who? (Still its your call) Can you guys please give me phone # of a good lawyer in VA area? (Try Mr. Rajiv Khanna)
7) Me and my wife are planning to go to India in June/July 2009 can we go with my pending citizenship? (Yes you can go)Or I can’t leave the US?](You can absolutely go, just have to be careful not to miss USCIS correspondence)

Good luck with your move and N-400, do join the DC thread listed on my siganture
 
Hi there

Hi Koolvik7,
Thank you so much for your response. 1) So I am eligible to apply anytime after May 5th 2008 am I right? And that is true even if I am moving to a new state right? (I am moving from PA to VA) the reason I am asking this is because I have heard that when a person moves to a new state he/she has to wait at least 3 months in the new state before one applies. 2) So to start the process of US citizenship I don’t need an employment letter ummmm that is good.3) so if there is no office in VA where do I go to check status say a year from now? You know info pass and status and all that good stuff? Hope not to Vermont. Thank you for the lawyer info. And glad to know we can leave the US next year I really hope I do not receive any correspondence from USCIS while I am away. But you know how it is when you don’t want something it really happens (welcome to my life). By the way if one misses correspondence while outside US will that lead to any problems getting back in the US? After all I have my green card right? Anyway thank you so much for your response and eagerly waiting for your response. Once again thanks a lot.

Raju :D
 
I think there is three mos residancy requirment. Check with USCIS website or call them to make sure.
 
Thanks Guys

Hello hopeful44,CrossHairs,
Thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate it. I am really surprised that there is a wait time of 3 months just cause I move from PA to VA. Amazing anyway thank you guys.

Raju
 
Raju in Philly said:
Hello hopeful44,CrossHairs,
Thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate it. I am really surprised that there is a wait time of 3 months just cause I move from PA to VA. Amazing anyway thank you guys.

Raju
Click to expand...

Three months wait is to establish your 'Residency' in any area. Imagine if I am living in DC area but apply for my N-400 from New York or closely in Baltimore just because the process is faster for those DO (even though they come under VSC). You can read more about the residency requirements in the N-400 application package.

Good luck.. Washington DC DO is tad bit better (April 4th stats), but the wait is still around 450 days after your Priority Date. More details in the tracker through my signature.
 
Depending on the location of your wife's job, I would recommend that you choose to live in Maryland instead of Virginia, if possible. It's much faster in Baltimore than in Northern VA. Check the two threads-- Washington DC and Baltimore, and you will get an idea.

If you move to VA in June, then you'd be eligible to file in Sep. Another option is to file in PA, and then update the new address and request a transfer of your file. In that case, You will be eligible to file in PA in May, that'd be four months earlier than if you file after you move to greater DC area. Not sure how much delay it would be to request a transfer.

In either case, make sure you count the days when you calculate 90 days, not just by months, and to be safe, leave at least a couple of extra days before you file.

Just my two cents...
 
Just remember Philly DO is *s*l*o*w*, and should be avoided. So is the Wash., DC DO.
Baltimore DO sounds like a good option. Good luck in whichever option you choose.

RN
 
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