I got naturalized this week. I thought I'd (a) thank all the folks giving advice on this forum, (b) share my experience.
Application Received August 10, 2010
Biometrics Notification August 20, 2010
Biometrics Date September 08, 2010 (taken on the date)
Interview Notification September 21, 2010
Interview date October 28, 2010
Oath Ceremony October 28, 2010
Also, I went ahead and received a passport at a passport agency in 1 day. I got an appointment before 11 am and by 2 pm the passport was ready. I did have an air ticket coming up shortly and produced my reservation at the agency.
Overall, my experience is really positive. The USCIS was extremely well organized and quick in my case. The interview was low key, not too official and up to the point. Waiting to be called was most stressful.
I would advise others still applying not to leave the U.S. for longer than 6 months (180 days) for any one trip and to keep your ties to the U.S. if you have to travel for a long time (bank accounts, paying taxes, keeping a place to live). Others who are more savvy on this may add more specifics.
I did have to travel quite a bit during my 5 year period because of a sick family member. Staying a few months out of the U.S. proved not be an issue since I kept the physical presence and the residency requirements by not overstaying the 6 month threshold and having plenty of days of physical presence.
If you do have to travel, my suggestion is plan ahead and know exactly what you will have to present to the USCIS as your grounds for naturalization.
Lawyers can be helpful but I find that this forum is overall better informed because of the stream of live cases here. It can to be a bit alarmistic here at times but it's always better to be on the safe side.
Application Received August 10, 2010
Biometrics Notification August 20, 2010
Biometrics Date September 08, 2010 (taken on the date)
Interview Notification September 21, 2010
Interview date October 28, 2010
Oath Ceremony October 28, 2010
Also, I went ahead and received a passport at a passport agency in 1 day. I got an appointment before 11 am and by 2 pm the passport was ready. I did have an air ticket coming up shortly and produced my reservation at the agency.
Overall, my experience is really positive. The USCIS was extremely well organized and quick in my case. The interview was low key, not too official and up to the point. Waiting to be called was most stressful.
I would advise others still applying not to leave the U.S. for longer than 6 months (180 days) for any one trip and to keep your ties to the U.S. if you have to travel for a long time (bank accounts, paying taxes, keeping a place to live). Others who are more savvy on this may add more specifics.
I did have to travel quite a bit during my 5 year period because of a sick family member. Staying a few months out of the U.S. proved not be an issue since I kept the physical presence and the residency requirements by not overstaying the 6 month threshold and having plenty of days of physical presence.
If you do have to travel, my suggestion is plan ahead and know exactly what you will have to present to the USCIS as your grounds for naturalization.
Lawyers can be helpful but I find that this forum is overall better informed because of the stream of live cases here. It can to be a bit alarmistic here at times but it's always better to be on the safe side.