Friends:
Just completed my Citizenship journey at Newark yesterday. This forum has been a great resource all along and now it's my turn to give back.
Here's my timeline:
GC : Feb 15, 2005
N-400 Applied on : Nov 17, 2009 (90th day before 5 year anniversary)
N-400 received : Nov 18th, 2009 (89th day)
FP ND &RFE (Y/L) : Dec 31, 2009
FP Appointment : Jan 11th, 2010
FP Done : Jan 5th , 2010 (Walk in on 2nd attempt; was not allowed on my 1st
attempt on Jan 4th)
Interview ND : Jan 25th, 2010
Interview Appt : Mar 02, 2010
Oath & Citizenship certificate : Mar 02, 2010
I qualified thru 5 year employment based PR. Got married after PR and really struggled to bring my wife over for last 1.5 years. Last 15 months I traveled extensively on business outside US and stayed with my wife when possible. Never broke 6 months stay outside US per trip clause; here are my big International trips 45 days, 70 days, 170 days and 120 days each within a space of 1 to 2 months. Over all 10 trips ~ 550 days outside US in 5 years. Retained strong ties to US while on extended travel - rented apartment, bank accounts, paid taxes, etc. Had solid preparation with all the required documents in a thick folder.
Going into the interview I was bit nervous on how to tackle these long absences even though I didn't break any of the requirements. I worried about what if the officer looked at my recent absences in cumulative since they were back to back to same place.
Finally it turned out very easy - I didn't even open my folder of documents; I was asked for passport, D/L and PR card. Just the routine N-400 review in 3 minutes (yes or no types); History/Civics and English test in 3 minutes and I passed the interview in 8 to 10 minutes.
Message for those with long absences from US - as long as you have not broken any clauses; you need not worry about a few imperfections. Just do your homework with proper documentation to support your case (just in case,) be confident and carry positive frame of mind to the interview - you should get through it - All the best!!
Just completed my Citizenship journey at Newark yesterday. This forum has been a great resource all along and now it's my turn to give back.
Here's my timeline:
GC : Feb 15, 2005
N-400 Applied on : Nov 17, 2009 (90th day before 5 year anniversary)
N-400 received : Nov 18th, 2009 (89th day)
FP ND &RFE (Y/L) : Dec 31, 2009
FP Appointment : Jan 11th, 2010
FP Done : Jan 5th , 2010 (Walk in on 2nd attempt; was not allowed on my 1st
attempt on Jan 4th)
Interview ND : Jan 25th, 2010
Interview Appt : Mar 02, 2010
Oath & Citizenship certificate : Mar 02, 2010
I qualified thru 5 year employment based PR. Got married after PR and really struggled to bring my wife over for last 1.5 years. Last 15 months I traveled extensively on business outside US and stayed with my wife when possible. Never broke 6 months stay outside US per trip clause; here are my big International trips 45 days, 70 days, 170 days and 120 days each within a space of 1 to 2 months. Over all 10 trips ~ 550 days outside US in 5 years. Retained strong ties to US while on extended travel - rented apartment, bank accounts, paid taxes, etc. Had solid preparation with all the required documents in a thick folder.
Going into the interview I was bit nervous on how to tackle these long absences even though I didn't break any of the requirements. I worried about what if the officer looked at my recent absences in cumulative since they were back to back to same place.
Finally it turned out very easy - I didn't even open my folder of documents; I was asked for passport, D/L and PR card. Just the routine N-400 review in 3 minutes (yes or no types); History/Civics and English test in 3 minutes and I passed the interview in 8 to 10 minutes.
Message for those with long absences from US - as long as you have not broken any clauses; you need not worry about a few imperfections. Just do your homework with proper documentation to support your case (just in case,) be confident and carry positive frame of mind to the interview - you should get through it - All the best!!