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Immigration
Citizenship
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FINALLY.
Finally, my journey of becoming a U.S. citizen comes to an end. Since I have visited this website many many many times during my journey, I would like to provide you all with my experience in great detail to help you in any way I can.
Waiting is certainly a difficult task, especially when you don't know how long to wait for.
Below is my timeline:
(1) N-400 Application Submitted Online (Receipt Notice): June 21, 2018
**I applied on a 5-year rule and was a permanent resident since 2003**
(2) Biometrics Date: July 7, 2018
**I sent my biometrics appointment letter along with a letter asking to reschedule my biometrics appointment, as I was traveling outside the country for summer vacations**
- Biometrics Rescheduled: August 10, 2018
(3) Interview Date: November 6, 2018 at the "West Palm Beach" USCIS Office
**I passed the English and Civics Test. However, my application was not recommended for approval. The officer gave me an N-652 form which said that "a decision cannot be made" and that I will receive a decision by mail. Even though I knew I was eligible, the officer still asked me to wait for a few weeks, as she had to review my file along with my long travel history to see if I was eligible and get an approval from the supervisor, so she could render a decision on my case**
- After one month, I made a call to the USCIS customer service to ask about the progress on my case. The customer service officer on call asked me to wait for 120 days before he could make an inquiry on my case.
- In mid December, I took a trip to Pakistan (2 1/2 months) and got married. I also went to Thailand for 9 days from Pakistan during that trip for honeymoon.
- When I came back in mid-March, I called the USCIS again, as it had been 131 days after the interview, and I still had not received any update on my case status. The officer on call filed a service request to the field office that I was interviewed at. After 1 week, I received a reply back saying that my case is still being actively reviewed and that I should wait to receive a decision through mail.
- From mid-March to mid-May: I made countless calls to USCIS customer service during these months to schedule an info pass, but they all said my reason was not valid enough for an info pass and that my case is still under normal processing time.
- At the end of May: I sent a letter directly to the officer who interviewed me requesting her to review my application and make a decision as it had been well beyond 120 days. On the bottom of form N-625, it said that I was allowed to write directly to the officer- asking any questions related to my case.
- Beginning of June: No response from the officer. I then called USCIS customer service again to file a service request. After a few days, I again received the same response (your case is still being actively reviewed and that I should wait to receive a decision through mail).
- Mid of June: I went to an attorney to discuss my options. The attorney asked me to either wait and keep on trying or file a lawsuit with him against USCIS (gave me a figure of 7,500 to 10,000 dollars for doing that). I was not in favor of considering his second option, so I decided not to give up.
- End of June: I wrote another letter directly to the officer requesting her to review my application and make a decision on it. Again, no response.
- On July 1, 2019: I went to the Congressman to seek help and see if there was anything he could do for me.
- On July 2, 2019: I received an update on my status online saying that "my case has been approved, and my oath ceremony has been scheduled". I quickly emailed the constituent representative (congressman) asking them to not take any action regarding my issue, as I had received an update on my case status.
(4) Oath Ceremony Date: July 18, 2019
**I took the oath ceremony. I declared that I traveled (they asked for the travel dates) and also told them that I got married during that trip (they asked me for my original marriage certificate and made a copy of it). At the end of the ceremony, the marital status on the certificate still said single. The officer was very helpful and asked me to wait till everyone leaves. I had to wait for about 15 minutes after everybody left to receive a corrected naturalized certificate**
My journey was smooth except for the part where I had to wait in the dark to receive an approval on my case. Everyone said that my case is still under normal processing time but no one realized how long I had been waiting for after the 120-day rule. From the date of interview, I waited approximately 7 months to only receive a decision.
My total journey was almost 1 year and approx. 1 month long.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I would be more than happy to respond. USCIS is a great federal agency who is always striving for excellence, so keep your hopes high and stay positive!
Waiting is certainly a difficult task, especially when you don't know how long to wait for.
Below is my timeline:
(1) N-400 Application Submitted Online (Receipt Notice): June 21, 2018
**I applied on a 5-year rule and was a permanent resident since 2003**
(2) Biometrics Date: July 7, 2018
**I sent my biometrics appointment letter along with a letter asking to reschedule my biometrics appointment, as I was traveling outside the country for summer vacations**
- Biometrics Rescheduled: August 10, 2018
(3) Interview Date: November 6, 2018 at the "West Palm Beach" USCIS Office
**I passed the English and Civics Test. However, my application was not recommended for approval. The officer gave me an N-652 form which said that "a decision cannot be made" and that I will receive a decision by mail. Even though I knew I was eligible, the officer still asked me to wait for a few weeks, as she had to review my file along with my long travel history to see if I was eligible and get an approval from the supervisor, so she could render a decision on my case**
- After one month, I made a call to the USCIS customer service to ask about the progress on my case. The customer service officer on call asked me to wait for 120 days before he could make an inquiry on my case.
- In mid December, I took a trip to Pakistan (2 1/2 months) and got married. I also went to Thailand for 9 days from Pakistan during that trip for honeymoon.
- When I came back in mid-March, I called the USCIS again, as it had been 131 days after the interview, and I still had not received any update on my case status. The officer on call filed a service request to the field office that I was interviewed at. After 1 week, I received a reply back saying that my case is still being actively reviewed and that I should wait to receive a decision through mail.
- From mid-March to mid-May: I made countless calls to USCIS customer service during these months to schedule an info pass, but they all said my reason was not valid enough for an info pass and that my case is still under normal processing time.
- At the end of May: I sent a letter directly to the officer who interviewed me requesting her to review my application and make a decision as it had been well beyond 120 days. On the bottom of form N-625, it said that I was allowed to write directly to the officer- asking any questions related to my case.
- Beginning of June: No response from the officer. I then called USCIS customer service again to file a service request. After a few days, I again received the same response (your case is still being actively reviewed and that I should wait to receive a decision through mail).
- Mid of June: I went to an attorney to discuss my options. The attorney asked me to either wait and keep on trying or file a lawsuit with him against USCIS (gave me a figure of 7,500 to 10,000 dollars for doing that). I was not in favor of considering his second option, so I decided not to give up.
- End of June: I wrote another letter directly to the officer requesting her to review my application and make a decision on it. Again, no response.
- On July 1, 2019: I went to the Congressman to seek help and see if there was anything he could do for me.
- On July 2, 2019: I received an update on my status online saying that "my case has been approved, and my oath ceremony has been scheduled". I quickly emailed the constituent representative (congressman) asking them to not take any action regarding my issue, as I had received an update on my case status.
(4) Oath Ceremony Date: July 18, 2019
**I took the oath ceremony. I declared that I traveled (they asked for the travel dates) and also told them that I got married during that trip (they asked me for my original marriage certificate and made a copy of it). At the end of the ceremony, the marital status on the certificate still said single. The officer was very helpful and asked me to wait till everyone leaves. I had to wait for about 15 minutes after everybody left to receive a corrected naturalized certificate**
My journey was smooth except for the part where I had to wait in the dark to receive an approval on my case. Everyone said that my case is still under normal processing time but no one realized how long I had been waiting for after the 120-day rule. From the date of interview, I waited approximately 7 months to only receive a decision.
My total journey was almost 1 year and approx. 1 month long.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I would be more than happy to respond. USCIS is a great federal agency who is always striving for excellence, so keep your hopes high and stay positive!
All Replies (15)
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