Citizenship

I have been a permanent resident since 2010 and yes it took me 8 years to finally become a US citizen. I would like to share my experience and timeline in the hopes that it helps someone out there in the same shoes.

I submitted my application on 02/06/2017
Fingerprinted on 02/27/2017
One week later...Case changed to in line for interview.
One year passed by, in which I would check every day for an update on my case.
Received an alert on my phone that interview was scheduled on 2/08/2018
Interview scheduled for 3/6/18
Started reviewing civics questions until I felt comfortable.
Interview date came and I passed all six civic questions required, writing and reading.
IO reviewed my application questions and then he told me he would have to review the application once again and he would make his decision at a later time. He said that he would contact me if he required more information. I have to be honest, this was not a good feeling. I checked the app more than ever hoping for a change in status. One week passed and nothing. I kept reading it could take up to 120 days for them to make a decision. I was super frustrated and thinking the worst at that time. A week and a half passed and I decided to not look at the app anymore. Curiosity got the best of me and I checked the app 13 days after the interview on my way home from work and it said Oath letter has been mailed.
Received my oath letter on 3/21 and my oath ceremony is 3/30/2018.

My journey is coming to a close but I do have to say it has been a very stressful and long one. I have been in this country from age 6 and now I am 33. It took me 7 years to get my residency and another year to get my citizenship. I hope this timeline helps!

Good luck to you all!

I promised to share my experience as soon as my application is complete and closed.

Here's my timeline:

12/26/2017 - Sent N400 application
12/29/2017 - USCIS received package
01/02/2018 - USCIS accepted the application
01/11/2018 - Schedule for FP sent
01/24/2018 - FP completed
02/01/2018 - Schedule for Interview sent
03/09/2018 - Interview Passed!
03/13/2018 - Oath Taking Scheduled
03/23/2018 - Oath Taken and became a US Citizen!

When I got the text/email notification on Jan 2 that USCIS accepted my application, almost every day I checked my status online...I know..its crazy. Anyway, I noticed that on the first time I logged in and saw the status online, the ESTIMATED time of processing was 16 MONTHS! I was devastated when I saw that but then I thought, it is what is it - all I can do is just wait. I'd say, patience is a virtue. I also started reviewing the Civics questions.

Was surprised really with the speed of the processing. Took only about 3 months for the whole process, from the time I sent my application to the Oath Taking Ceremony.

During the interview, I was really nervous because I am not really good at memorizing events but obviously I did good. The IO was very nice and he tried to make me less nervous by doing the usual pleasantries.

The questions asked were the following:

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
In what month do we vote for President?*
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

After this 6 questions which I answered correctly, we moved to the "Have You's" questions. After, the IO asked my about my birthday, my current address, the middle name of my Mom, was I ever married, if I left the US before the interview and after my application was accepted.

At the oath taking ceremony, each of us received a big envelope. Inside there were forms like the voters registration, US passport application form, a booklet about the US Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, etc. Tomorrow I am going to apply for my first ever US passport!

I am so very happy and blessed! It's like a big burden was lifted from me!

So y'all Dreamers like me, keep on Dreaming, don't stop, be patient and above all have faith! Then once you become a Citizen, exercise your right - go out and vote!

God Bless America! Land of the Free and Home of the Brave!

Hello Friends,
If anyone can share any experience with current 'Interview dates for N-400', that'll be great?

PD for application: mid-August, 2017!

Still showing 'case is in line for interview' since end of December, 2017!!

Any insight will be helpful!

Best,
arin

There's little to none on the Philadelphia office, Is there anyone with experience at that office? or updates as to how their processing time is currently?

Very anxious

LIVED IN AMARILLO TX
APPLICATION SENT TO DALLAS TX
PD01/09/2017
FP 02/07/2017
CASE IN LINE FOR INTERVIEW 02/11/2012
01/20/2018 MOVED TO WISCONSIN
02/10/2018 FILED AR-11 ONLINE
03/10/2018 USCIS APPROVED CHANGED OF ADDRESS
03/21/2018 ONLINE STATUS CHANGED TO "INTERVIEW WAS SCHEDULED
03/24/2018 received interview letter, in the letter; it says go to Dallas for the interview
I have Wisconsin state ID NOW. WILL IT BE A PROBLEM TO GO TO THE INTERVIEW WITHOUT TEXAS' ID?

what kind of personal questions do they ask in the interview ? do they ask how did you get you 485 approved? marriage , employmnet etc. ?

If I have to move while waiting in line for an interview, how will that affect my time line? It would be out of state from Florida to Maine. Any experiences with this?

Here is my time line.

USCIS N400 Sent: 03/28/2017
USCIS N400 Received: 03/29/2017
Money Order Cashed: 04/03/2017
Finger Print Notice: 04/12/2017
Finger Print Completed: 04/24/2017
Interview Scheduling Process: 4/26/2017
InfoPass With IO Officer: 10/05/2017
Interview Notice: 12/02/2017
Interview Completed 01/02/2018
In line for Oath ceremony 02/23/2018
Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed 03/06/2018
Oath Ceremony Completed 03/23/2018

11 months and 23 days process

OFFICIALLY U.S. CITIZEN.
Time to apply for my dream job.

Dallas FO
Priority date: 12/25/2016
Fingerprint date: 1/28/2017
Interview Scheduled: 2/28/2018
Interview date: 3/22/2018

Interviewer was friendly. It took about 15 minutes to finish the interview. was asked 6 civics questions, reading, writing and then reviewed the submitted application. For minor traffic tickets such as speeding, as long you mention that fines were paid, no documentation was needed.

A lot of people are thinking that the new processing times are going backward. IT IS NOT TRUE.
USCIS implemented a better way to report processing timing. It is taking into account historical processing periods in the selected Field Office up to a certain date.

The first number is the time it takes to complete 50% of cases (the median). The second number is the time it takes to complete 93% of cases. Reference https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/more-info

The Case Inquiry Date is to show when you can inquire about your case. If your receipt date is before the Case Inquiry Date, you can submit an “outside normal processing time” service request. It is reasonable to assume that USCIS is trying to put applicants at ease and not to continuously inquire about their cases as it takes much more time away from actual case processing.