Need advice on where to file N-400 CA or NY?

W

wahaha1

New Member
I received my green card through work and have been living in Oakland, CA for 7+ years. Now I am thinking about filing for N-400. Here is my problem.

I will go back to school for 2 years in Ithaca, NY. So basically I will move out of CA in 3 weeks, I know I can file my N-400 in CA (since I have been continuously living in this place for 7 years). If I file my application in CA (I am thinking about using my friend's CA address), I can file my application before they raise the application fee from $330 -> $675 in end of July 07. However, I am worry about the hassles of flying back and forth and other potential issues.

If I have to file my application in NY state, I can only file it after 3 months later (3 months of stay). I will have family address in Flushing, NY while at the same time I will be living in Ithaca, NY for school.

Questions:
1. Which state / office has faster processing time CA or NY?
2. If filing in CA, will it cause a big delay in processing time when I change my address to NY?
3. If filing in NY, which office is better? (NYC / Buffalo / Alabany office)?
4. Any difference in the citizenship test format in state of CA or NY? If yes, which state is easier?
5. Any potential issues / reminder that I should keep in mind before moving out of CA?

I desperately in need of advice, please help!
 
Hi!

Dude you can't have your cake and eat it too!

If you're going back to Ithica (and you presumably filed your FAFSA for either Cornell or Ithica Kollege-hehe) then you will come up with the Department of ED as being a student in one of those schools. When you finally enroll for the semester (and if you spend more than three months) in Ithica you will be in a different district for three or more months. This sounds like more work and potential problems than it is worth. During this process you don't want to be caught lying. That would harm your "good and moral character" requirements. Besides, you would have to update your application once you go to interview as attending school again. It IS one of the sections on the N400 and you know you are moving to go to school again.

My advice, save up a few extra dollars...that is if you have the $400 already save $295 (less than or equal to a flight back and forth and hotel and car rental) between now and three months from the time you arrive in Ithica. Wait and file then. You don't want to lie to gain any immigration benefits...this could bar you from US citizenship for a long, long, time.:eek:

Things to Read (just in case you want to ):
http://www.imminfo.com/library/nats-gmc.html

http://www.uscis.gov/propub/ProPubVAP.jsp?dockey=50869f78cdedf09ca80bca05908b4368



My two cents!

Best Regards,
-Jedi.Knight
 
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If the point is to file now in Calif and save money, have you considered the cost of flying to complete FP and IV? Assuming that you don't have to pay for hotel and car rental even then the tickets cost you a nice sum.
Have you considered the fact that you may not meet the residency requirement?
 
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