N-400 detailed flowchart

H

highlander

Registered Users (C)
To all prospective and current N-400 filers,

My name is highlander. I have been researching public places for information about the N-400 process for the last 6 monts (after work, as a hobby). All my research is consolidated in the attached two pages. The first one contains a detail analysis of what US CIS (ex-INS) does with the application and in yellow I have identified several areas of possible delays.

This can help to identify better where your application might be and whether there is a problem or it is just waiting for an adjudication officer.

My research has several sources, with different dates from 1999 to 2004. They true process, I suspect very few people know, but this process is probably very close to current reality. I went to the US Congress, the US CIS website and archives, the Government Printing Office, the 8 Code of Federal Register (8CFR), the Government Accounting Office, FBI, Public Depositions and, yes, past and current lawsuits where INS/USCIS is forced to disclose information even if they don't want to. All this is public information which does not mean that is public knowledge, just that the general public with effort could get to it.

I hope you like it. If you have problems with the name check, look for Rahul's postings on the FBI.

I will be applying for citizenship in January 2005, but I would like you guys to see the flowchart as the process goes.

I hope it is useful.

Comments about it are appreciated. :) :) :)
 
Great work highlander.. Excellent flowchart. May be very helpful to some ;)

Note:
You have referred FedEx 5 times in 2 pages. Are you a FedExer !! heehe...

Kudos on a fine job and good research
 
question about fingerprinting

Highlander,

Thanks for posting the N-400 flow chart. I am sure it will be helpful to many. On the 2nd page, you wrote that FPs are stored in digitized format and there is no need to fingerprint someone again after FP expire. Do you know when exactly this was started? My name check is cleared and I got a letter from Philly District Director (DD) that a FP notice has been sent on August 20. So far I have not received that notice and my faxed letters to DD have gone unnoticed. I was just wondering if they will utilize my digitized FP taken in Jan 2003 for new search or do I need to go for another FP? Any thoughts from you and others will be appreciated.
 
Fp

Rahul Kumar,

I an aware about the 15 month rule. If you remember we had discussed how redundant it is to get fingerprinted again some time ago........this was the first time I saw Highlander mentioning that the USCIS has started using the digitized fingerprints for running the checks again. So I was asking Highlaner when exactly USCIS has started this procedure.

I am really worried about additional delay in my case. The Philly DD is not responding to my faxes and I have not received the FP notice supposedly mailed out on August 20th. I will call them on Monday..........what else can I do?
 
My FP in Oct 03 was digititized. I have no idea why they want us to reappear for it. They track down cases with decades old FP's in the investigative area.

Know exactly when your FP is. Try going to DO (try InfoPass) or call the 800 number , speak with an immig officer who can tell you FP date.
 
Well, I would say there is one incorrect information in this chart. According to chart, the interview is conducted after the FBI namecheck is done.
As we all know, this is not true for many people (including me).
 
Rahul Kumar said:
Great work highlander.. Excellent flowchart. May be very helpful to some ;)

Note:
You have referred FedEx 5 times in 2 pages. Are you a FedExer !! heehe...

Kudos on a fine job and good research
Click to expand...

I have to say that I am a FedEx employee living in Memphis. But I still believe that sending it overnight makes the application go faster. :) Sorry for that annoyance.
 
redkarr1 said:
Highlander,

Thanks for posting the N-400 flow chart. I am sure it will be helpful to many. On the 2nd page, you wrote that FPs are stored in digitized format and there is no need to fingerprint someone again after FP expire. Do you know when exactly this was started? My name check is cleared and I got a letter from Philly District Director (DD) that a FP notice has been sent on August 20. So far I have not received that notice and my faxed letters to DD have gone unnoticed. I was just wondering if they will utilize my digitized FP taken in Jan 2003 for new search or do I need to go for another FP? Any thoughts from you and others will be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Dear redkarr1,

If the US CIS tells you to show up, do so. However, the US CIS ombdusman stated before congress on June 2004 that he was finishing the implementation of the digital firngerprints stored on a US CIS server to prevent asking the applicant every 15 months to show up. Congress stated that fingerprints is one thing that does not change and asking an applicant to show the fingers every 15 months was stupid (I agree!). I would imagine that now (sept 18, 2004) all fingerprints are now digital.
 
boldlygo said:
Well, I would say there is one incorrect information in this chart. According to chart, the interview is conducted after the FBI namecheck is done.
As we all know, this is not true for many people (including me).
Click to expand...

You are correct. It could be the case that a name check has not been completed but the interview is still "on track". While this is unusual (far less than 50% of cases) this can happen (I heard about that before). If you tell me how to connect the boxes, without complicating it too much, I can modify the chart.
 
highlander,


I have noticed buzy districts (NY/NJ) etc inteview without namecheck completion. Smaller ones (VT) dont.... So its left to the discretion of the DO's. You can modify accordingly. Great chart anyways...

PS: I recently opened a FedEx account and really loved the service. Say hi to Fred Smith will ya?
 
Sending airbill

Highlander,

Thanks a lot for taking the time to put this in a flow chart and share that will all of us. I find it very useful.

You refer to using prepaid airbill for quicker responses. You say "If you prefer to receive all notices via FedEx (instead of via USPS) you can provide completed airway bills with your FedEx account number (or credit card number) on them. This is faster, more reliable and you can trace it to see if they have used it."

Other than the receipt notice I am not aware of any other. So what other notices do they send? And one sends in a bunch of airbills one of each of the notices?

Mahesh
 
maheshgajanan said:
Highlander,

Thanks a lot for taking the time to put this in a flow chart and share that will all of us. I find it very useful.

You refer to using prepaid airbill for quicker responses. You say "If you prefer to receive all notices via FedEx (instead of via USPS) you can provide completed airway bills with your FedEx account number (or credit card number) on them. This is faster, more reliable and you can trace it to see if they have used it."

Other than the receipt notice I am not aware of any other. So what other notices do they send? And one sends in a bunch of airbills one of each of the notices?

Mahesh
Click to expand...


You can attach three different airwaybills completed at the time of filing. One for the receipt notice (I-797), one for the Fingerprint appointment and one for the Interview schedule. Put a post it on top of each AWB so you can tell the US CIS officer which one is for which.
 
Highlander:

Ur chart is very informative, thanx for this information, i just wanted to mention IBIS check which is done on all applications including naturalization N 400, its done when they receive ur application and its also done before they approve ur application, i am not sure if IBIS is only valid for 45 days or 90 days.If u can add this IBIS check into ur chart.


- Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS)
Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) is a national security check system which utilizes data from numerous law enforcement sources, including NCIC, FBI, CIA, INS, Customs, and other agencies. IBIS checks are being conducted to identify suspected terrorists, aggravated felons, previous INS contacts, national security risks, and other causes for security concern. The INS is running IBIS checks on all foreign national beneficiaries and applicants and all individual petitioners. Under INS procedures, an application or petition shall not be approved until the name of the applicant has been checked against IBIS. If adverse information is obtained from IBIS, such information relating to criminal activity or threats to national security must be fully addressed by the officer before any final decision may be made on such cases. The INS has stated that a hit on IBIS delays processing and that common identity hits have been a significant problem. Because Congress has not authorized additional INS personnel to work on IBIS checks, INS adjudications staff have been diverted to IBIS duties.
 
N-400 detailed process version 2

All,

I have made some improvements to the process based on some feedback. I have now incorporated the IBIS mandatory checks in the flow.

Enjoy!

Mr. Highlander.
 
just making this thread current again as I've noticed many people are asking questions about timelines etc. This flow chart (version 2) just above my post that highlander made is excellent.
 
gettingclosernow said:
just making this thread current again as I've noticed many people are asking questions about timelines etc. This flow chart (version 2) just above my post that highlander made is excellent.
Click to expand...

Dang! That was some old thread you dug up... I guess it will help people just starting out..
 
Where is the check list

Can you please prodive some help on the checklist to include papers to send.

Also, any advise on people who may have been arrested :D
 
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