Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Hi Everyone,

I am after a practical heads-up, and am asking for your opinions....

There is a chance I can get leave in March 2010 to go back to the UK.

After looking online, I see I can leave the USA whilst processing my application - I just have to be here for the interview etc.

Is it true, that I could alter my date for my interview if needed, or, does this **&* up things?

I'm living in South Carolina - so my service centre is Texas. Would you recommend starting the process now, or would you wait until returning?

Many thanks for your input


Lee

:)

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Yes... you also need to ensure that being outside the US doesn't negatively impact the "continuous residency" or "physical presence" requirements.


Yes, it's true. But it could set you back many months and there is *no* guarantee that your notice gets to the right people. They might not know you wanted to alter the date and if you don't show up when they're expecting you to be there, they could summarily close your case and you won't know about it... possibly for many, many months afterwards when it's too late to fix things.


If you apply now, you might get an interview prior to the time you leave. You might even get an oath ceremony before you leave... but if that happens, you'll then need a US passport to travel and that might throw a wrench into your travel plans.

If it was me, I'd wait... but you must gauge your own risk tolerance.

Ian

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Based on very recent experiences at Texas Service Center (TSC), I would file the N-400 now. TSC has been approving cases very quickly lately, and people have been getting interviews and oaths scheduled in 3-4 months.

Once you leave the US, specially if you will be living in the UK for a long time, you start having to worry about physical presence and residence requirements, as Ian mentions. You can still file later, but you need to be very careful to demonstrate that you still meet the requirements.

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

As always, it's hard to change an interview date, especially from afar.

You'll have to do some looking up for processing times.
Your Service Center has nothing to do with that; find your local office here: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplay.do

Within a month of sending your application in, expect to have a biometrics appointment. After that, it's just waiting for the interview. Generally, it would be within 6 months of applying.

It's your call, you don't say how long you'll be away.

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

But Service Centers don't adjudicate the N-400s, right? They just hold them for the DO's interview schedule (and arrange the security checks before that).
Or is it different?

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Yes, the local office schedules the interview and decides the case. That was my mistake in referring to TSC, I wrote without thinking (not enough coffee). The N-400 is filed at the National Benefit Center (NBC), not TSC. Recently, in different cities, interviews have been scheduled at local offices 3-4 months after filing with NBC. However, the local office in SC might be longer or shorter.

There was a thread recently on N-400 experiences around the country. That will have more timeline details.

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

You're not alone. Both Meauxna and I post regularly without taking in enough coffee! :)

Ian

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Me three!

Rene

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Aww, you're being nice - despite your signature's suffix!

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

"Death before dishonor; nothing before coffee!"
:)

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Don't taunt me... I SO want to steal that line!!! :thumbsup:

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Hey, I'm in SC too. I sent my N 400 application in to Texas July 20 this year. I just had my check cashed Aug 17. Still waiting for a receipt. Just to give you an idea of what it might be like in SC.

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Thanks everyone for your input

I should have made it clearer, my trip back to Blighty will only be a holiday - I will not have any problems with the residence requirements.

It seems borderline to do it from what I am reading here so far.

Aes, I would be interested to hear your experience - thank you

cheers ya'll! :)

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

And 3 cigs.

Re: Timeline for N400 and leaving USA
 

Timline so far (short, only the beginning!!)
Mailed N400 8/20/09
Priority Date 8/23/09
check cashed 8/17/09
NOA receipt 8/20/09

As far as I can tell, average processing time for Charleston is 5 months. Wait and see with fingers, toes, arms, legs, turn into Gumby, crossed!!!!