N-400 Interview in Tampa

gaurav2005

Registered Users (C)
I filed N-400 in April, I had FP in July and got an interview call in couple of weeks (Sept).

I have following questions for the interview:

1. I have two little kids 3 and 1. We have'nt left them alone so far with any day care so far. Are the kids allowed during the interview ? Myself and my wife both have interviews around the same time.

2. Is there any dress code for the interview. Do you need to dress up like you would in an formal interview with suit, tie and all ? Also for women, it is ok to wear traditional Indian dress. My wife normally dresses in Indian dress and also wears bindi etc. I know this is a stupid question but any unwritten dress code ?

3. I was trying to get my status online but could not know whether finger printing is cleared or not. If they called for the interview, does this mean all the FP clearing, name check etc is over ?


Thanks a lot.
 
Gauray, since there is no other reply from somebody who had his interview already ... here is what I think: I would have somebody take care of the kids. You don't know if you maybe would have to wait long and in what shape you kids will be in then. It may also end up very distracting for you or the officer. So, make it a nice day for the kids by hiring a friendly, reliable babysitter.
As far a dress code is concerned I would use common sense. You just have to appear decent and clean which is for most people not out of the ordinary. (I would avoid though a blue-red-white outfit, a shirt with a big american flag print and maybe not waiving small toy american flags in both hands...smile) Traditional clothes are just fine, why not ?

I hope this helps, Alex
 
Alexander

Thanks for the advice. It was helpful. I will be on hunt for a baby sitter now.

How about clothes for men ? Is it a norm to wear suit, tie and stuff or is it ok to wear normal office wear ? For the job interviews, wearing suit is a must, thats why I am asking.

Thanks again.
 
Unless you want to get hired by the USCIS ... I don't think so that it is a 'must' in the interview. But if you feel comfortable in a suit, it's a good choice for you. Be yourself and you will be fine. The interview is really more about facts than fashion.
Whatever you do, whatever you will wear - don't be tense. If your 'facts' are alright and you know your ten civics question, I hear it will be a pleasant and very short experience.

Alex
 
I had my interview a couple of weeks ago on Newark,Nj!I suggest don't take your kids with you,because you have to wait a long time sometimes.I was very lucky,because i only had to wait 30 minutes,and my name was called.You don't have to wear suit,but don't go in jeans and stuff.They asked most of the questions from my husband(us citizen).Nothing personal,just how we met,where,and when we met,where i work,did he ever met my parents,where was i born..etc.And she asked me a same,and she asked for pics,and after 15 minutes she said she approve my case.Stamped my passport,and now i waiting for my card!Good luck to you!
 
BTW,that was my Aos interview,i don't know about the citizenship interview much,but definetly don't take your kids!Good luck! :)
 
Be presentable

We had our citizenship interview in August in Philadelphia.
I would suggest not taking the kids with you as it can be distracting.
And the time wait can be anywhere from 15 mins to an hour.
I was called in after about 45 mins of waiting.
My husband and I were interviewed separately though by the same officer.
Both the interviews lasted less than 10 mins.

Dress code -Its entirely your choice but most of the people wore shirt/ trousers. Some wore suits and had their attorneys/ interpreter with them who also wore suits. Some of the Desi women wore traditional Indian clothes , some women were also seen wearing traditional African clothes ( Mumu like). Anything presentable is just fine.
 
Not taking kids

Thanks for your suggestions, guys.

Yes, we are not taking kids. In fact I also called USINS, they also suggested it will be distracting to the interviewer and not to take the kids.

Thanks again, keep coming if you have any more suggestions.

Can you tell me what exactly is the interview process ? I was told on phone by USINS that it will be a written test, followed by an interview on English and History of US and it will be a 2 hour process.

Need to write some essays on history of US ? :)
 
1. Officer will go over the N-400 application form.
2. You be asked to write 1 simple sentence in english.
3. You will be asked 10 history/civics questions out of the standard 100
questions. You have to answer at least 6 correctly to pass.

That's it.
 
short and sweet interview

My interview is over. It was short and sweet.

Following is the sequence of events that happened at the interview
- As soon as we entered the interview room, she asked me to take an oath to tell truth and nothing but truth by standing and raising my right hand.
- She went through my application, asking same questions in application.
- She asked about gap in my employment last year and asked me how I supported during that period
- I forgot to mention the traffic tickets in the application and told her that. She noted down the details, she did'nt ask for proof.
- Then she dictated a simple sentence and asked me to write it down. That was my English test.
- Then she asked very simple questions may be 6 of them from the list of 100 standard questions. I got them all right so she did not proceed for all the ten.
- She said she is recommending my case and the oath ceremony will be in october and I will get the details in the mail.
- For some reason, my wife got all tough questions. But she passed too.

Thats all.. Thanks for all the help everyone.
 
What next after the oath ?

I may be jumping the gun, but just want to keep myself informed what next after the oath:

- can I apply for US passport immediately ?
- when do I surrender my Indian passport: after I receive US passport ? or immediately after the oath ?
- What is the latest on the Dual citizenship/ Overseas citizenship etc. ? Did they start taking applications ? How long is it taking ?

Thanks again.
 
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