2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
#1
2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
Hello again,
I've been searching through the N400 threads for an answer to my questions.
I applied for naturalization before the price hike in October and have for the most part been successful in not thinking too much about it....but. .I received a notification on the USCIS portal. I wasn't able to view it until this evening and it's telling me they're able to use my previous biometrics information (from 2013, 10 year GC application) without the need for an appointment. The notice also states the biometrics portion of the filing fee will not be refunded (not particularly concerned about this). Obviously there's no worries about fingerprints changing or my appearance dramatically changing over the past 7 years but it does seem a long time.
Like I said, I've searched other threads and haven't seen this mentioned before. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?
Maybe I'm overthinking every worse case scenario but with 2020 being as untrustworthy as a wet fart, another perspective would be reassuring.
Cheers to anyone taking the time to read this and even replying with their $0.02.
I've been searching through the N400 threads for an answer to my questions.
I applied for naturalization before the price hike in October and have for the most part been successful in not thinking too much about it....but. .I received a notification on the USCIS portal. I wasn't able to view it until this evening and it's telling me they're able to use my previous biometrics information (from 2013, 10 year GC application) without the need for an appointment. The notice also states the biometrics portion of the filing fee will not be refunded (not particularly concerned about this). Obviously there's no worries about fingerprints changing or my appearance dramatically changing over the past 7 years but it does seem a long time.
Like I said, I've searched other threads and haven't seen this mentioned before. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?
Maybe I'm overthinking every worse case scenario but with 2020 being as untrustworthy as a wet fart, another perspective would be reassuring.
Cheers to anyone taking the time to read this and even replying with their $0.02.
Last edited by _Clueless$y$t€m_; Nov 15th 2020 at 2:10 am. Reason: Added info about non refund of biometrics
#2
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
I have seen a couple of posts on here where new biometrics were not required, due to the pandemic. All is well.
Rene
Rene
#3
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
Hello again,
I've been searching through the N400 threads for an answer to my questions.
I applied for naturalization before the price hike in October and have for the most part been successful in not thinking too much about it....but. .I received a notification on the USCIS portal. I wasn't able to view it until this evening and it's telling me they're able to use my previous biometrics information (from 2013, 10 year GC application) without the need for an appointment. The notice also states the biometrics portion of the filing fee will not be refunded (not particularly concerned about this). Obviously there's no worries about fingerprints changing or my appearance dramatically changing over the past 7 years but it does seem a long time.
Like I said, I've searched other threads and haven't seen this mentioned before. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?
Maybe I'm overthinking every worse case scenario but with 2020 being as untrustworthy as a wet fart, another perspective would be reassuring.
Cheers to anyone taking the time to read this and even replying with their $0.02.
I've been searching through the N400 threads for an answer to my questions.
I applied for naturalization before the price hike in October and have for the most part been successful in not thinking too much about it....but. .I received a notification on the USCIS portal. I wasn't able to view it until this evening and it's telling me they're able to use my previous biometrics information (from 2013, 10 year GC application) without the need for an appointment. The notice also states the biometrics portion of the filing fee will not be refunded (not particularly concerned about this). Obviously there's no worries about fingerprints changing or my appearance dramatically changing over the past 7 years but it does seem a long time.
Like I said, I've searched other threads and haven't seen this mentioned before. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?
Maybe I'm overthinking every worse case scenario but with 2020 being as untrustworthy as a wet fart, another perspective would be reassuring.
Cheers to anyone taking the time to read this and even replying with their $0.02.
#4
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
Thank you Noorah and tht for taking time out to reply. TBH I'd prefer the 2013 biometrics pic being used as there's a slightly thicker and more lustrous hairline. First world problems , I guess!
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,834
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
My adult son and I applied around the same time to squeak in before the price hike, and we also received the same letters last week. So it sounds like it’s a standard thing this year, to avoid unnecessary contact.
I was quite surprised that my son didn’t have to be re-biometric’d, though, as he was only 14 when he last renewed his green card. His appearance has changed quite a bit now that he’s almost 21!
I was quite surprised that my son didn’t have to be re-biometric’d, though, as he was only 14 when he last renewed his green card. His appearance has changed quite a bit now that he’s almost 21!
#6
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
My adult son and I applied around the same time to squeak in before the price hike, and we also received the same letters last week. So it sounds like it’s a standard thing this year, to avoid unnecessary contact.
I was quite surprised that my son didn’t have to be re-biometric’d, though, as he was only 14 when he last renewed his green card. His appearance has changed quite a bit now that he’s almost 21!
I was quite surprised that my son didn’t have to be re-biometric’d, though, as he was only 14 when he last renewed his green card. His appearance has changed quite a bit now that he’s almost 21!
#7
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
If they let you skip the biometrics do they return the fee?
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,157
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
Heads-up to everyone that photos are actually printed on the citizenship certificates! In my case, the photo was the one taken at the N400 biometrics appointment, so I can't say what they are doing in cases when these have been waived. But I definitely had not prepared accordingly for mine, so that was a fun surprise on oath day...
#9
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
They do? I'm pretty sure they didn't take my photo on my interview day. I don't actually remember if they took fingerprints -- maybe when checking in?
Heads-up to everyone that photos are actually printed on the citizenship certificates! In my case, the photo was the one taken at the N400 biometrics appointment, so I can't say what they are doing in cases when these have been waived. But I definitely had not prepared accordingly for mine, so that was a fun surprise on oath day...
Heads-up to everyone that photos are actually printed on the citizenship certificates! In my case, the photo was the one taken at the N400 biometrics appointment, so I can't say what they are doing in cases when these have been waived. But I definitely had not prepared accordingly for mine, so that was a fun surprise on oath day...
confirmed on fingerprints. See post 11 from this thread the day of my interview: N400 Interview next week - questions although this was all pre CV19 so I assume the process has changed to accommodate.
Last edited by tht; Nov 24th 2020 at 10:05 pm.
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 9
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
I'm getting kind of concerned about my N400 Biometrics appointment, I sent in my app in March and received an appointment - then an email from them saying my appointment had been postponed due to covid. I check online nearly every day and it said estimated completion time - November
About 3 weeks ago, the November disappeared and it is now blank - I sent them an online message 3 weeks ago, just to confirm that I am to sit tight and they will write to me with a new appointment - this message has not been responded to yet, I hope i haven't fallen through the cracks somewhere ;( (My Green Card has now expired)
About 3 weeks ago, the November disappeared and it is now blank - I sent them an online message 3 weeks ago, just to confirm that I am to sit tight and they will write to me with a new appointment - this message has not been responded to yet, I hope i haven't fallen through the cracks somewhere ;( (My Green Card has now expired)
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 226
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
They do? I'm pretty sure they didn't take my photo on my interview day. I don't actually remember if they took fingerprints -- maybe when checking in?
Heads-up to everyone that photos are actually printed on the citizenship certificates! In my case, the photo was the one taken at the N400 biometrics appointment, so I can't say what they are doing in cases when these have been waived. But I definitely had not prepared accordingly for mine, so that was a fun surprise on oath day...
Heads-up to everyone that photos are actually printed on the citizenship certificates! In my case, the photo was the one taken at the N400 biometrics appointment, so I can't say what they are doing in cases when these have been waived. But I definitely had not prepared accordingly for mine, so that was a fun surprise on oath day...
#13
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
That actually does surprise me. They were increasing fees when I was applying to remove conditions from my greencard so I sent the new fee and they rejected my application as I'd overpaid. I guess refunding a partial payment is more hassle than flat out rejecting an application though.
#14
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: 2020 and the joys of N400 waiting
That actually does surprise me. They were increasing fees when I was applying to remove conditions from my greencard so I sent the new fee and they rejected my application as I'd overpaid. I guess refunding a partial payment is more hassle than flat out rejecting an application though.