neverthere
Registered Users (C)
Reading these forum's has helped me considerably during the N400 application procedure. Now I would like to relate my experience is a perhaps it will help others.
Application date: Aug. 1st 2006
FP a month afterwards, I was out of the country, and was told to just come in any Wednesday or Saturday ASAP. No problems.
I advanced the FBI name check by requesting copies of records about each variation of my name as listed on the N400 application. The interview letter was mailed the exact same date as the letter from the FBI reporting nothing found.
Interview date: Feb. 21st 2007. The IO was young and seemed more nervous than I was. I took the new test and passed with no errors. Since I have taken more than 43 trips outside the U.S. with only 70 days above the minimum required physical presence, he concentrated mostly on trying to match stamps in my passports with the list of trips I provided. Soon he discovered this was a task that can't be done in a few minutes and concluded the interview handing me form N-652 with the box checked that USCIS will send me a written decision on my application. This came about a month later on form N-14 requesting volumes of information, including, original passports, car registrations, rent/mortgage statements, utility bills, proof of income and again a list of trips outside the U.S.
Fortunately I kept good records and was able to locate even airline tickets and boarding passes as proof of dates I left the U.S. Altogether it was two piles of paper approximately seven inches high. I prepared detailed summaries of each information showing where the various proofs could be found and what statements were missing etc.
The 2nd interview date was set for April 26, 2007. Before the interview I consulted with an immigration lawyer to review my submission. He suggested he accompany me on the interview just make sure that the IO does not ask any questions relevant to the case. This time I drew a than older gentlemen, very professional and serious. It was a lengthy interview lasting about 45 minutes. He reviewed all the data on the application form and a summary information I had provided. Three times during the interview he expressed gratitude for the work in preparing the documentation in a well-organized readable form. To my surprise the questions were not about the large number of trips and the proof of physical presence and continuity of residence but about things relating to income. Since I paid off my mortgage before the five-year period he asked for proof of ownership. I brought in every pay stub, every bank statement going back five years. Since I retired early two years ago, he seemed to be concerned about how exactly I will finance my retirement. Fortunately I had brought proof of my retirement income even though the lawyer said it was not required.
I was surprised at this line of questioning but was well prepared for it. At the conclusion of the inteview he said: "I can see why you are a successful businessman."
Form N-445 came into mail a couple of days ago inviting me to an Oath ceremony Jun. 14th 2007. My lawyer received the letter the same day and called immediately to make sure that I had my copy.
In summary, it pays to be prepared. Perhaps if I had provided more documentation for the first interview along with the N400 application I would have had my citizenship sooner. Possibly it could have taken longer since somebody would have to read all that information.
Application date: Aug. 1st 2006
FP a month afterwards, I was out of the country, and was told to just come in any Wednesday or Saturday ASAP. No problems.
I advanced the FBI name check by requesting copies of records about each variation of my name as listed on the N400 application. The interview letter was mailed the exact same date as the letter from the FBI reporting nothing found.
Interview date: Feb. 21st 2007. The IO was young and seemed more nervous than I was. I took the new test and passed with no errors. Since I have taken more than 43 trips outside the U.S. with only 70 days above the minimum required physical presence, he concentrated mostly on trying to match stamps in my passports with the list of trips I provided. Soon he discovered this was a task that can't be done in a few minutes and concluded the interview handing me form N-652 with the box checked that USCIS will send me a written decision on my application. This came about a month later on form N-14 requesting volumes of information, including, original passports, car registrations, rent/mortgage statements, utility bills, proof of income and again a list of trips outside the U.S.
Fortunately I kept good records and was able to locate even airline tickets and boarding passes as proof of dates I left the U.S. Altogether it was two piles of paper approximately seven inches high. I prepared detailed summaries of each information showing where the various proofs could be found and what statements were missing etc.
The 2nd interview date was set for April 26, 2007. Before the interview I consulted with an immigration lawyer to review my submission. He suggested he accompany me on the interview just make sure that the IO does not ask any questions relevant to the case. This time I drew a than older gentlemen, very professional and serious. It was a lengthy interview lasting about 45 minutes. He reviewed all the data on the application form and a summary information I had provided. Three times during the interview he expressed gratitude for the work in preparing the documentation in a well-organized readable form. To my surprise the questions were not about the large number of trips and the proof of physical presence and continuity of residence but about things relating to income. Since I paid off my mortgage before the five-year period he asked for proof of ownership. I brought in every pay stub, every bank statement going back five years. Since I retired early two years ago, he seemed to be concerned about how exactly I will finance my retirement. Fortunately I had brought proof of my retirement income even though the lawyer said it was not required.
I was surprised at this line of questioning but was well prepared for it. At the conclusion of the inteview he said: "I can see why you are a successful businessman."
Form N-445 came into mail a couple of days ago inviting me to an Oath ceremony Jun. 14th 2007. My lawyer received the letter the same day and called immediately to make sure that I had my copy.
In summary, it pays to be prepared. Perhaps if I had provided more documentation for the first interview along with the N400 application I would have had my citizenship sooner. Possibly it could have taken longer since somebody would have to read all that information.
