Interview Experience
I wish I had found this forum/thread many months ago.
But, regardless, I'll post my recent interview experience at the LA office.
I had my citizenship interview at the Los Angeles office last week.I am happy to say I was approved (or rather, my application was recommended for approval), but, for what was really a straight forward case, I managed to have lots of little hiccups on the way, and, by the time I anticipate taking the oath, it will have been 18 months since I sent in my application!
Some "history" first :
When my application was received by USCIS, my mailing address was not processed, so, while I was lucky enough to receive the NOA1 at my street address, my biometrics appointment noticed went astray while my AR-11 to correct the mailing address was being processed. A service request advised me, after the fact, of my biometrics appointment date, and I ended up doing my fingerprints as a walk-in.
I received noticed in August of my interview date in early Sept 08. However, I had a overseas work assignment (for a US based company) from Aug to mid-dec 08, so, I wrote to the address listed, explained that I would be unavailable for the appointment, and why, and requesting it to be re-scheduled after Dec 08. I received signed Delivery confirmation from USPS that the letter was received.
My next letter from the USCIS was a notice stating that I had missed my interview appointment, and, unless I explained within 30 days why this had occurred, my case would be administatrively closed. I wasted some time calling the info line after this, with the only response being service request that generated a reply that I need to explain in writing why I missed the appointment. So, I wrote (again), explaining that I was working away from home, attaching copies of the original letter I sent, and the signed delivery confirmation etc
I received a letter for a rescheduled appoint, 7th January, 09.
My appointment was for 7.15, the LA office does not start allowing people in till 7am, I lined up outside at 6.45am. I barely made it in the front door at about 7.12am, then hustled up to the interview room on the 6th floor. Just for the info of those yet to go to their interview, when you enter the foyer there are banks of elevators to teh left & to the right, make sure you take the correct one - room 6510/2 is the bank to the right. I put my interview notice in the tray, and sat and waited - there were about 8 other people in the small waiting room. I was called in around 7.40 am.
My interviewer led me into a small office, had me raise hand and swear to tell the truth etc. I then sat and she asked for my green card and DL. My file was sitting on her desk - about 3-4 inches of it. I applied based on 5 years of permanent residency. She pulled out a letter I had added to my application , explaining my employment. I work as a short term employee, sometimes I may only be employed for one day, sometimes two months, sometimes a week etc. I explained it was not possible to list all my employers for the past five years, but, did list ten payroll companies I was paid through. The interviewer had troubles understanding this, she kept wanting me to say I was self employed, but, I told her I received W-2's, and file tax returns. She asked if I had tax returns with me, I replied that I didn't, as I hadn't seen listed that they were required "well, they are" was her snappy reply. I had thought that tax returns were only used for the purpose of showing "joint" returns/proof of relationship etc, but, I realise now they may be required to prove you have indeed being paying taxes on your income.I was then told after the interviewI would need to go downstairs to" the tax people and get cleared" - she didn't think it could be done that day, because they were backlogged with end of year concerns. In hindsight, I should have taken the precaution of taking tax transcripts with me. But, then she made a comment that I was a 5 year filer, so, they weren't really needed. The IO was contradicting themselves here, and left me a little confused.
We moved onto the N-400 application. For some reason my file only showed my middle initial, whereas my application had my entire middle name listed. So, she filled out an application for a "change of name". So, they process my application inaccurately, and I have to petition a judge to change my name to correct it - whatever, I signed the necessary forms.
We moved though with me verbally confirming the information on the application.
Then she got to the "trips outside the US part" - I had 7 trips listed, and also handed her a list of the three trips I had taken since I lodged my application. Two of my trips were lengthy, 5 1/2 months & 4 months, (where I was working overseas) I thought this may be questioned, but, other than checking the number of days were correct, and re-totaling them up, it was not problematic. It did seem to take quite some time for her to check the number of days etc. I had not included the day of leaving and day of return in the number of days for the trip (as per guidelines), but, she told me that you include the day you leave, but not the day you return. Once again - whatever, I was nowhere near borderline on number of days, so it seemed irrelevant.
She then asked me civic questions (from the old test - no option given) - ten out of ten correct
, and did the very simple writing/reading test.
She then printed me me out a form showing details as they would appear on my citizenship certificate. I checked through the info - but, it was showing my previous country of citizenship as Austria, it should have been Australia. I took her some time to get back on the computer and update this "minor" detail. Apparently, it was processed incorrectly when my N-400 application was originally entered. Whoever processed my application really made some errors! I needed to re-sign my "change-of -name" petition, then, she reprinted the oath information, this time it was correct.
I noticed she had stamped my file Approved - I wondered about the tax issue - should I mention it? had she forgotten?.
She handed my back my drivers license, and told me I was approved "I won't worry about that tax thing, it's fine" - or words to that effect. I then followed her to the corridor where she copied my green card and approval notice. I asked about the possible time of the oath ceremony - she told me Jan & Feb are full, I would receive a letter for the March ceremony. She then handed me my card and letter , and pointed to the door I should leave through. And that, was it, I was in the interview room for 45-50 minutes.
My overall impression of my interviewer was that she was cold, and somewhat abrupt. Definitely not friendly LOL. I am glad to receive my approval,be at the end of my error strewn application, and look forward to never having to deal with the USCIS again (well, after the oath anyway).
If you have read this way, I hope my story was helpful, if not entertaining
Just as an aside, I noticed when I left the building at approx 8.30am that there was no delay at security for those entering the building.
Best of Luck to those who have the interview coming up shortly.
N400 at California SC, Field office- Los Angeles
Sep 3, 2007 Application Mailed
Sep 12, 2007 - Priority date
Nov 9,2007 - check cashed
Nov 20,2007 - NOA1: "expect to be notified within 425 days of this notice",
Jan 10, 2008 - fingerprints appointment (letter lost due to mailing address receipted incorrectly)
Feb 7, 2008 - fingerprints done (took about 10 min - as a walk-in)
Sept 8, 2008 - Interview date (letter received Jul 18) - rescheduled at my request
Jan 6, 2009 - Interview date - recommended for approva
Mar 2009 - anticipated oath ceremony
*online status "case received Oct 29", no touches showing
I wish I had found this forum/thread many months ago.
But, regardless, I'll post my recent interview experience at the LA office.
I had my citizenship interview at the Los Angeles office last week.I am happy to say I was approved (or rather, my application was recommended for approval), but, for what was really a straight forward case, I managed to have lots of little hiccups on the way, and, by the time I anticipate taking the oath, it will have been 18 months since I sent in my application!
Some "history" first :
When my application was received by USCIS, my mailing address was not processed, so, while I was lucky enough to receive the NOA1 at my street address, my biometrics appointment noticed went astray while my AR-11 to correct the mailing address was being processed. A service request advised me, after the fact, of my biometrics appointment date, and I ended up doing my fingerprints as a walk-in.
I received noticed in August of my interview date in early Sept 08. However, I had a overseas work assignment (for a US based company) from Aug to mid-dec 08, so, I wrote to the address listed, explained that I would be unavailable for the appointment, and why, and requesting it to be re-scheduled after Dec 08. I received signed Delivery confirmation from USPS that the letter was received.
My next letter from the USCIS was a notice stating that I had missed my interview appointment, and, unless I explained within 30 days why this had occurred, my case would be administatrively closed. I wasted some time calling the info line after this, with the only response being service request that generated a reply that I need to explain in writing why I missed the appointment. So, I wrote (again), explaining that I was working away from home, attaching copies of the original letter I sent, and the signed delivery confirmation etc
I received a letter for a rescheduled appoint, 7th January, 09.
My appointment was for 7.15, the LA office does not start allowing people in till 7am, I lined up outside at 6.45am. I barely made it in the front door at about 7.12am, then hustled up to the interview room on the 6th floor. Just for the info of those yet to go to their interview, when you enter the foyer there are banks of elevators to teh left & to the right, make sure you take the correct one - room 6510/2 is the bank to the right. I put my interview notice in the tray, and sat and waited - there were about 8 other people in the small waiting room. I was called in around 7.40 am.
My interviewer led me into a small office, had me raise hand and swear to tell the truth etc. I then sat and she asked for my green card and DL. My file was sitting on her desk - about 3-4 inches of it. I applied based on 5 years of permanent residency. She pulled out a letter I had added to my application , explaining my employment. I work as a short term employee, sometimes I may only be employed for one day, sometimes two months, sometimes a week etc. I explained it was not possible to list all my employers for the past five years, but, did list ten payroll companies I was paid through. The interviewer had troubles understanding this, she kept wanting me to say I was self employed, but, I told her I received W-2's, and file tax returns. She asked if I had tax returns with me, I replied that I didn't, as I hadn't seen listed that they were required "well, they are" was her snappy reply. I had thought that tax returns were only used for the purpose of showing "joint" returns/proof of relationship etc, but, I realise now they may be required to prove you have indeed being paying taxes on your income.I was then told after the interviewI would need to go downstairs to" the tax people and get cleared" - she didn't think it could be done that day, because they were backlogged with end of year concerns. In hindsight, I should have taken the precaution of taking tax transcripts with me. But, then she made a comment that I was a 5 year filer, so, they weren't really needed. The IO was contradicting themselves here, and left me a little confused.
We moved onto the N-400 application. For some reason my file only showed my middle initial, whereas my application had my entire middle name listed. So, she filled out an application for a "change of name". So, they process my application inaccurately, and I have to petition a judge to change my name to correct it - whatever, I signed the necessary forms.
We moved though with me verbally confirming the information on the application.
Then she got to the "trips outside the US part" - I had 7 trips listed, and also handed her a list of the three trips I had taken since I lodged my application. Two of my trips were lengthy, 5 1/2 months & 4 months, (where I was working overseas) I thought this may be questioned, but, other than checking the number of days were correct, and re-totaling them up, it was not problematic. It did seem to take quite some time for her to check the number of days etc. I had not included the day of leaving and day of return in the number of days for the trip (as per guidelines), but, she told me that you include the day you leave, but not the day you return. Once again - whatever, I was nowhere near borderline on number of days, so it seemed irrelevant.
She then asked me civic questions (from the old test - no option given) - ten out of ten correct
, and did the very simple writing/reading test.She then printed me me out a form showing details as they would appear on my citizenship certificate. I checked through the info - but, it was showing my previous country of citizenship as Austria, it should have been Australia. I took her some time to get back on the computer and update this "minor" detail. Apparently, it was processed incorrectly when my N-400 application was originally entered. Whoever processed my application really made some errors! I needed to re-sign my "change-of -name" petition, then, she reprinted the oath information, this time it was correct.
I noticed she had stamped my file Approved - I wondered about the tax issue - should I mention it? had she forgotten?.
She handed my back my drivers license, and told me I was approved "I won't worry about that tax thing, it's fine" - or words to that effect. I then followed her to the corridor where she copied my green card and approval notice. I asked about the possible time of the oath ceremony - she told me Jan & Feb are full, I would receive a letter for the March ceremony. She then handed me my card and letter , and pointed to the door I should leave through. And that, was it, I was in the interview room for 45-50 minutes.
My overall impression of my interviewer was that she was cold, and somewhat abrupt. Definitely not friendly LOL. I am glad to receive my approval,be at the end of my error strewn application, and look forward to never having to deal with the USCIS again (well, after the oath anyway).
If you have read this way, I hope my story was helpful, if not entertaining
Just as an aside, I noticed when I left the building at approx 8.30am that there was no delay at security for those entering the building.
Best of Luck to those who have the interview coming up shortly.
N400 at California SC, Field office- Los Angeles
Sep 3, 2007 Application Mailed
Sep 12, 2007 - Priority date
Nov 9,2007 - check cashed
Nov 20,2007 - NOA1: "expect to be notified within 425 days of this notice",
Jan 10, 2008 - fingerprints appointment (letter lost due to mailing address receipted incorrectly)
Feb 7, 2008 - fingerprints done (took about 10 min - as a walk-in)
Sept 8, 2008 - Interview date (letter received Jul 18) - rescheduled at my request
Jan 6, 2009 - Interview date - recommended for approva
Mar 2009 - anticipated oath ceremony
*online status "case received Oct 29", no touches showing
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