N400 Interview next week - questions
May 7th 2019, 2:29 pm
#1
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,854
N400 Interview next week - questions
Can anyone who has themselves been for an N400 interview in the last 12 months (given that things change) advise on why they did for the below:
- If you applied online, did you add your most tax transcript on the online portal before the interview or just take it with you? I already have 3 uploaded from the initial application.
- Were you asked about international travel subsequent to filling?, I have printed out the 5 year I94 record from online, I only have 4 new trips since applying in August and none are material in terms of days, all around a week or less.
- Could you take in your mobile phone? I was able to at the biometrics appointment.
- What did you wear, I was planning on just my normal “business casual” pants and an “english” style fitted business shirt. Should I try and dress more “American” with a less fitted shirt and pants etc?
- If you applied online, did you add your most tax transcript on the online portal before the interview or just take it with you? I already have 3 uploaded from the initial application.
- Were you asked about international travel subsequent to filling?, I have printed out the 5 year I94 record from online, I only have 4 new trips since applying in August and none are material in terms of days, all around a week or less.
- Could you take in your mobile phone? I was able to at the biometrics appointment.
- What did you wear, I was planning on just my normal “business casual” pants and an “english” style fitted business shirt. Should I try and dress more “American” with a less fitted shirt and pants etc?
May 7th 2019, 2:39 pm
#2
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Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,057
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
Can anyone who has themselves been for an N400 interview in the last 12 months (given that things change) advise on why they did for the below:
- If you applied online, did you add your most tax transcript on the online portal before the interview or just take it with you? I already have 3 uploaded from the initial application.
- Were you asked about international travel subsequent to filling?, I have printed out the 5 year I94 record from online, I only have 4 new trips since applying in August and none are material in terms of days, all around a week or less.
- Could you take in your mobile phone? I was able to at the biometrics appointment.
- What did you wear, I was planning on just my normal “business casual” pants and an “english” style fitted business shirt. Should I try and dress more “American” with a less fitted shirt and pants etc?
- If you applied online, did you add your most tax transcript on the online portal before the interview or just take it with you? I already have 3 uploaded from the initial application.
- Were you asked about international travel subsequent to filling?, I have printed out the 5 year I94 record from online, I only have 4 new trips since applying in August and none are material in terms of days, all around a week or less.
- Could you take in your mobile phone? I was able to at the biometrics appointment.
- What did you wear, I was planning on just my normal “business casual” pants and an “english” style fitted business shirt. Should I try and dress more “American” with a less fitted shirt and pants etc?
I was asked about travel. I had one additional trip since submitting the application. He made a note but didn't even ask what it was for. I volunteered it was to the UK.
Yes. Took mobile phone in with me.
I'm not sure it matters what you wear but I wore business casual. Others there were in Jeans.
ETA: As both myself and my wife had the same time booked, but separate interviews, I was concerned that we only had one copy of the tax returns. That was when they said we only needed the green card.
Last edited by chawkins99; May 7th 2019 at 2:42 pm.
May 7th 2019, 2:52 pm
#3
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,854
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
I took my last 3 years' tax returns but they were not needed. The only thing I was asked for was my Green Card.
I was asked about travel. I had one additional trip since submitting the application. He made a note but didn't even ask what it was for. I volunteered it was to the UK.
Yes. Took mobile phone in with me.
I'm not sure it matters what you wear but I wore business casual. Others there were in Jeans.
ETA: As both myself and my wife had the same time booked, but separate interviews, I was concerned that we only had one copy of the tax returns. That was when they said we only needed the green card.
I was asked about travel. I had one additional trip since submitting the application. He made a note but didn't even ask what it was for. I volunteered it was to the UK.
Yes. Took mobile phone in with me.
I'm not sure it matters what you wear but I wore business casual. Others there were in Jeans.
ETA: As both myself and my wife had the same time booked, but separate interviews, I was concerned that we only had one copy of the tax returns. That was when they said we only needed the green card.
May 7th 2019, 3:04 pm
#4
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Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,057
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
Great thanks for the input, when you say tax returns do you mean the downloads from the IRS site that generate when you give immigration as the reason? I have the “Account Transcript” - 1 pager showing I am current and the “Tax Return Transcript” which is 7 pages, but wanted to avoid printing the TurboTax generate forms that are around 90 pages each... I also have the email showing my 2 state returns were accepted.
May 7th 2019, 7:37 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 226
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
Can anyone who has themselves been for an N400 interview in the last 12 months (given that things change) advise on why they did for the below:
- If you applied online, did you add your most tax transcript on the online portal before the interview or just take it with you? I already have 3 uploaded from the initial application.
- Were you asked about international travel subsequent to filling?, I have printed out the 5 year I94 record from online, I only have 4 new trips since applying in August and none are material in terms of days, all around a week or less.
- Could you take in your mobile phone? I was able to at the biometrics appointment.
- What did you wear, I was planning on just my normal “business casual” pants and an “english” style fitted business shirt. Should I try and dress more “American” with a less fitted shirt and pants etc?
- If you applied online, did you add your most tax transcript on the online portal before the interview or just take it with you? I already have 3 uploaded from the initial application.
- Were you asked about international travel subsequent to filling?, I have printed out the 5 year I94 record from online, I only have 4 new trips since applying in August and none are material in terms of days, all around a week or less.
- Could you take in your mobile phone? I was able to at the biometrics appointment.
- What did you wear, I was planning on just my normal “business casual” pants and an “english” style fitted business shirt. Should I try and dress more “American” with a less fitted shirt and pants etc?
2. Yes, I carried a copy of my updated CBP I-94 data from the CBP website, which the interviewer was delighted to have, and used it to update my information.
3. I was told to put it in airplane mode or turn it off, while being called in .
4. You are really overthinking this :-)
May 8th 2019, 1:56 am
#6
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
I didn't provide tax returns online or in person and wasn't asked for them at any point in the process.
I was asked about international travel and had a print-out of my trips in the same format as on the N-400 form. The interviewer seemed relieved and carefully tapped all of them into the system, even though I wasn't anywhere close to being short of days.
It was no phone use in the waiting room, but they weren't taken away. I read my dead-tree book. Note: at the oath ceremony, we had to check phones at the entrance to the courthouse.
+1
I was asked about international travel and had a print-out of my trips in the same format as on the N-400 form. The interviewer seemed relieved and carefully tapped all of them into the system, even though I wasn't anywhere close to being short of days.
It was no phone use in the waiting room, but they weren't taken away. I read my dead-tree book. Note: at the oath ceremony, we had to check phones at the entrance to the courthouse.
+1
May 8th 2019, 3:54 am
#7
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,854
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
I didn't provide tax returns online or in person and wasn't asked for them at any point in the process.
I was asked about international travel and had a print-out of my trips in the same format as on the N-400 form. The interviewer seemed relieved and carefully tapped all of them into the system, even though I wasn't anywhere close to being short of days.
It was no phone use in the waiting room, but they weren't taken away. I read my dead-tree book. Note: at the oath ceremony, we had to check phones at the entrance to the courthouse.
+1
I was asked about international travel and had a print-out of my trips in the same format as on the N-400 form. The interviewer seemed relieved and carefully tapped all of them into the system, even though I wasn't anywhere close to being short of days.
It was no phone use in the waiting room, but they weren't taken away. I read my dead-tree book. Note: at the oath ceremony, we had to check phones at the entrance to the courthouse.
+1
May 8th 2019, 4:16 am
#8
You aint seen me, right?
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: US of A, TN
Posts: 3,573
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
1. I never provided them with tax transcripts at all and they weren't asked for though I was filing based on 5 year rule rather than 3.
2. They looked at my passport and asked if I'd been anywhere outside the US but I haven't left since I got here 12 years ago so I just said no and that was that.
3. I was told to put my phone in silent mode but that was all. One person did get told if they wanted to speak on their phone they had to go outside though.
4. I just wore khakis and a T-shirt, looking at the other people in the waiting room I wouldn't say I was under dressed. I could wear a tailor made suit and still look like a hobo so I tend dress in what I feel comfortable in rather than what I think will impress people.
2. They looked at my passport and asked if I'd been anywhere outside the US but I haven't left since I got here 12 years ago so I just said no and that was that.
3. I was told to put my phone in silent mode but that was all. One person did get told if they wanted to speak on their phone they had to go outside though.
4. I just wore khakis and a T-shirt, looking at the other people in the waiting room I wouldn't say I was under dressed. I could wear a tailor made suit and still look like a hobo so I tend dress in what I feel comfortable in rather than what I think will impress people.
May 8th 2019, 9:46 am
#9
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
I had my interview last week, and will be sworn in on the 17th.
.
I took 2018 with me, they took a copy of it and added it to the file.
Yes, and you will be again at the oath ceremony. You will have to list them at the interview, I would suggest you bring the paperwork so that you can accurately recall the dates.
Yes
A collared shirt and khaki business pants. Plenty of people were there in jeans and t-shirts.
- If you applied online, did you add your most tax transcript on the online portal before the interview or just take it with you? I already have 3 uploaded from the initial application
I took 2018 with me, they took a copy of it and added it to the file.
- Were you asked about international travel subsequent to filling?, I have printed out the 5 year I94 record from online, I only have 4 new trips since applying in August and none are material in terms of days, all around a week or less.
- Could you take in your mobile phone? I was able to at the biometrics appointment.
- What did you wear, I was planning on just my normal “business casual” pants and an “english” style fitted business shirt. Should I try and dress more “American” with a less fitted shirt and pants etc?
May 8th 2019, 8:24 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 298
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
Can anyone who has themselves been for an N400 interview in the last 12 months (given that things change) advise on why they did for the below:
- If you applied online, did you add your most tax transcript on the online portal before the interview or just take it with you? I already have 3 uploaded from the initial application.
- Were you asked about international travel subsequent to filling?, I have printed out the 5 year I94 record from online, I only have 4 new trips since applying in August and none are material in terms of days, all around a week or less.
- Could you take in your mobile phone? I was able to at the biometrics appointment.
- What did you wear, I was planning on just my normal “business casual” pants and an “english” style fitted business shirt. Should I try and dress more “American” with a less fitted shirt and pants etc?
- If you applied online, did you add your most tax transcript on the online portal before the interview or just take it with you? I already have 3 uploaded from the initial application.
- Were you asked about international travel subsequent to filling?, I have printed out the 5 year I94 record from online, I only have 4 new trips since applying in August and none are material in terms of days, all around a week or less.
- Could you take in your mobile phone? I was able to at the biometrics appointment.
- What did you wear, I was planning on just my normal “business casual” pants and an “english” style fitted business shirt. Should I try and dress more “American” with a less fitted shirt and pants etc?
May 14th 2019, 1:55 pm
#11
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,854
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
Was outside at 7:30am, there was already a line of 15-20 people, lawyers were let in first and then everyone went through security. Phones were allowed in the waiting room, but had to be shut off for the interview.
8am interview time, called around 8:10am, sworn in, ID and fingerprints done by interviewing officer, then 6 civics questions (all easy ones), read a sentence on iPad, wrote “we vote for president in November” on the iPad. Then he went through the application, added new travel, took a scan of my 2018 tax return, complimented me on getting a refund from CT.
There was missing information that had not carried through from the online application he added (about marriage), I said I had seen that on the copy I downloaded and he said he had got an email about the system issue a few weeks ago.
He did update my nationality to that of my birth (the N400 guidance asks for the one on your most recent passport, which was different for me).
Then eSigned on the iPad 3 times for as added travel, oath, and then certificate details. Given a 1 pager with recommendation for approval and advised to wait for an oath ceremony date letter in the waiting room at 8:30am.
Was more pleasant than an immigration lawyer I deal with had advise it may be... we talked about travel and some other small talk. I had pictures of my family, wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, house etc which he looked through.
Got 2 txts to say the case had been updated about 5 mins later.
Another uodate email to say the Oath Ceremony letter was sent at 9:32am.
Got ceremony letter in hand at 9:54
Scheduled for first week of June.
8am interview time, called around 8:10am, sworn in, ID and fingerprints done by interviewing officer, then 6 civics questions (all easy ones), read a sentence on iPad, wrote “we vote for president in November” on the iPad. Then he went through the application, added new travel, took a scan of my 2018 tax return, complimented me on getting a refund from CT.
There was missing information that had not carried through from the online application he added (about marriage), I said I had seen that on the copy I downloaded and he said he had got an email about the system issue a few weeks ago.
He did update my nationality to that of my birth (the N400 guidance asks for the one on your most recent passport, which was different for me).
Then eSigned on the iPad 3 times for as added travel, oath, and then certificate details. Given a 1 pager with recommendation for approval and advised to wait for an oath ceremony date letter in the waiting room at 8:30am.
Was more pleasant than an immigration lawyer I deal with had advise it may be... we talked about travel and some other small talk. I had pictures of my family, wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, house etc which he looked through.
Got 2 txts to say the case had been updated about 5 mins later.
Another uodate email to say the Oath Ceremony letter was sent at 9:32am.
Got ceremony letter in hand at 9:54
Scheduled for first week of June.
May 14th 2019, 2:52 pm
#12
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,383
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
Congratulations, tht. Not much longer and it will all be over and done with. Make a photocopy of the front and back of your green card for your files as you will be returning it at the time of the oath ceremony. Nice to have a copy in your files on the off chance it is ever needed.
Once sworn it, register to vote, go to SS with your naturalization certificate and have your status upgraded on your records and get your passport. You will need to submit the original certificate in order to get your passport. They will return it to you.
Once sworn it, register to vote, go to SS with your naturalization certificate and have your status upgraded on your records and get your passport. You will need to submit the original certificate in order to get your passport. They will return it to you.
May 14th 2019, 2:54 pm
#13
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
go to SS with your naturalization certificate and have your status upgraded on your records.
May 14th 2019, 4:21 pm
#14
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Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,057
Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
I figured a passport to be a higher priority than Social Security. Didn't have to do drivers license as mine was unrestricted anyway.
We filled out the voter registration at the oath ceremony.
May 14th 2019, 9:27 pm
#15
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Re: N400 Interview next week - questions
I did the passport first because of the SS wait time. Passport came back after 2 weeks and used that as proof of citizenship for SS. Took a few more days to get the certificate back from the passport office.
I figured a passport to be a higher priority than Social Security. Didn't have to do drivers license as mine was unrestricted anyway.
We filled out the voter registration at the oath ceremony.
I figured a passport to be a higher priority than Social Security. Didn't have to do drivers license as mine was unrestricted anyway.
We filled out the voter registration at the oath ceremony.