How Long Before the 5 Year Period Can I Apply for Citizenship Reviews

How Long Does Information technology Take to Get U.Southward. Citizenship After Y'all Use?

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Key Takeaways

So you've applied to trade your Greenish Menu for a Certificate of Citizenship - CONGRATULATIONS! We're thrilled that you've taken this heady pace toward finding freedom and opportunity in the U.S.

But what's adjacent? If you're like almost immigrants, you're probably anxious to know what happens after filing your Form Due north-400.

How long do most applications have?

How long is too long to look for a reply from USCIS?

What does the notice yous received from USCIS hateful?

Nosotros'll answer all of these questions, and more than, in this article.

The average processing time for citizenship (naturalization) applications is 8 months as of May 31, 2020. Notwithstanding, that'due south simply how long information technology takes USCIS to process Form N-400. The entire naturalization process has several steps and takes an average of 15 months. This article explains all of the stages of the Citizenship past Naturalization application process and includes a detailed breakup of how long each stage should have.

The steps in the Citizenship filing procedure are roughly the same for everybody. Yet, the amount of time USCIS takes to process your North-400 can vary significantly based on

• How many cases USCIS is currently handling,
• The USCIS office where you filed,
• and whether or non your Form North-400, Application for Naturalization was filled and filed correctly.

In case you don't have fourth dimension to read the whole article, here's a summary of how long each stride of the naturalization process takes on average:

• Step i. USCIS processes your Awarding for Naturalization (Course N-400): 8 months (boilerplate)
• Step 2. Attend your biometrics appointment: +0 months (happens while USCIS processes your Due north-400)
• Step three. Attend your citizenship interview and examination: + 4 months
• Step 4. USCIS decides on your application: +0–4
• Step five. You take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization: +0–1.5 months
• Total time: 12 months (1 twelvemonth) to 17.5 months (ane.5 years)

These wait and processing times are averages and estimates. They do non include any possible delays. We'll discuss how delays can impact your application in more detail below.

Your naturalization process may be shorter, depending on where you live. That's because some U.S. Citizenship and Clearing Services (USCIS) field offices process applications much faster than others.

Getting your application correct the offset time is the best way to make sure that yous can become from a lawful permanent resident to a Citizen as fast as possible. And information technology's really easy to make mistakes! Non only do y'all accept to come across the eligibility requirements to go a Citizen, just you lot also have to fill out your naturalization awarding perfectly. Did yous know that leaving a unmarried question that doesn't employ to you lot blank on your N-400 can crusade USCIS to refuse your entire application? We're non kidding - USCIS is that strict!
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That's why we built an proficient organisation to help you fix your North-400 right the first time. You can apply it to set your Naturalization paperwork for complimentary.

Step ane. USCIS processes your Awarding for Naturalization - (6-10 months after you lot file Firm N-400)

The first step of the Citizenship process takes 6-10 months. It can be faster or slower, depending on where you live. The processing time for an N-400 application is the fourth dimension from when y'all send it to when you attend your adjuration ceremony.

Sending your U.S. citizenship application and supporting documents to USCIS starts the process. The faster you prepare Form Northward-400 and collect your supporting documents, the faster you tin can ship your application to USCIS. The sooner you lot send your application to USCIS, the sooner they tin review your application.

Information technology's essential to make certain that your application is complete. That means that all of your answers are correct, and your supporting documents are in the format and order the U.S. government prefers. You need to get a certified English translation of any documents that are in a language other than English. Actress steps like this can make your application take longer, so make certain that y'all business relationship for them when planning how long your Naturalization application should accept. Forgetting documents or making mistakes on your forms will slow the Naturalization process downward.

If y'all correctly filed your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, USCIS will respond past sending you a letter. This letter of the alphabet (called a Form I-797c, Notice of Action) confirms that they take your awarding. You should receive Form I-797c 2-3 weeks afterwards you file Form Due north-400.

If you did non file Form North-400 correctly, or if you forgot to pay your filing fee, USCIS might send you lot a Form I-797c to reject your petition. USCIS may besides send you a Request for Show asking y'all to send them additional supporting documents. Either notice will delay your application, and then it's crucial to gear up the N-400 and supporting documents correctly the first time.

Save whatever I-797c notices that you lot receive. They comprise your x-digit receipt number. You lot can employ this number to bank check your case status. If you haven't received a Notice of Action within two months of filing, you should make a case inquiry .

IMPORTANT: You lot need to notify USCIS every time that y'all move or change your mailing address. If yous don't, yous may miss important notices.
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ImmigrationHelp.org can help you set and file your application for Citizenship by Naturalization correctly the first time with our simple web app. We'll review your forms for free, and provide you with detailed filing instructions.

Footstep 2. Attend your biometrics appointment - (5-8 weeks later yous file Form N-400)

Next, you will receive a biometrics engagement notice from USCIS. This notice will assign yous a biometrics appointment engagement, fourth dimension, and location. Your biometrics engagement location will usually be the USCIS Application Support Centre that is closest to you. You should receive this notice 3-5 weeks later on you file Class Northward-400.

"Biometrics" is the official term for your fingerprints, photos, and signature. USCIS uses these to verify your identity. USCIS too sends your fingerprints to the Federal Agency of Investigation (FBI) to conduct a groundwork check to make sure that y'all have good moral character.

It's essential to bring all of the required documents to your biometrics engagement. If you don't, you may have to come dorsum for a second appointment, which will delay your application.

The documents you need for the biometrics appointment are your

• Date Alphabetic character,
• Passport or national photo identification issued past your country
• Commuter'southward license (if you have i)
• Armed services photo identification (if you have 1)
• State-issued photograph identification bill of fare (if you accept i)
• Annihilation else that USCIS tells you to bring in their find

USCIS may request a second biometrics appointment, even if y'all bring the correct documents the first time. For example, if the FBI rejects your fingerprints. If something like that happens, USCIS will ship you another biometrics appointment letter.

If the FBI rejects your second set of biometrics, you lot'll demand to get police clearance certificates. You lot'll need one clearance document from every place where you've lived in the past five years. Information technology can accept a while to become police certificates, then yous should first gathering them every bit soon as the FBI rejects your biometrics.

While USCIS and the FBI are processing your biometrics, you may receive a "Request for Prove" (RFE) from USCIS. RFE'south are USCIS 's way of telling you that they demand boosted information from you. The additional documents USCIS needs could be court or constabulary records. USCIS might besides need other could also be other documents from this checklist. If you lot get an RFE from USCIS, send the requested documents ASAP. Any delays volition make your application take longer.
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ImmigrationHelp.org makes it easy to complete your Naturalization right the offset time so you tin avoid common problems.

Pace 3. Attend your Citizenship interview and exam - (12-14 months afterwards you file Form N-400)

Nourish the Interview

Later you lot complete your biometrics engagement, USCIS will send yous another appointment notice. This discover is an invitation to your naturalization interview and exam. Information technology will include the date, time, and location of your interview. Yous should receive this notice 4-viii months afterwards yous file your N-400. USCIS will only transport this notice once, so make sure that you update your mailing address if you've moved since yous filed your awarding.

The citizenship interview is ordinarily most 14 months later on yous file Grade Northward-400. You tin can reschedule the interview and exam if you absolutely can't make it on the scheduled date. However, rescheduling may add together several months to the naturalization process. It's best to get to the date, time, and location USCIS initially schedules for you.

If yous absolutely must reschedule, yous tin can do so by writing a letter to the office where your interview is to take place. The function volition so transport you another alphabetic character with a new date and time. If you lot don't notify USCIS earlier your scheduled appointment, they volition intermission ("administratively close") your application. If you don't contact USCIS inside a twelvemonth after they pause the process, they will deny your awarding. That means y'all will have to start the entire application over and pay the fees over again.

This video from USCIS is a corking overview of what to expect at the Naturalization Interview and Exam.

If y'all haven't been preparing for the interview and test already, now is an splendid time to start. USCIS provides fantabulous resources to set up you for the interview and exam on its website. With a little grooming, you lot should accept no problem.

Take the exam

The Citizenship exam has 2 parts: an English language test and a Civics test. The commencement tests your grasp of the English linguistic communication, and the second tests your understanding of how the American government works and of U.Southward. history. You volition commonly take it on the same day as your Naturalization interview.

If y'all pass the exam, you'll move on to the side by side step of the naturalization process - the Oath of loyalty. You may fifty-fifty be able to take the Adjuration and go a denizen the same day!

If you don't pass the exam, you'll need to retake the office that you failed to move on to the Oath of Fidelity. You'll take to wait lx-90 days to retake the exam, so make certain that you prepare well for both parts of the test (English language skills and civics) to pass the first time.
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ImmigrationHelp.org is with you until the finish line! We'll help yous respond to government questions and prepare for your citizenship interview and exam. You can ready your Citizenship awarding for gratis using our uncomplicated web app.

Stride 4. USCIS decides on your application - (12-xvi months after yous file class N-400)

If your interview goes well, you laissez passer the exam, and USCIS doesn't need whatever boosted documents, they may approve your awarding on the aforementioned day as your citizenship interview and exam. Otherwise, USCIS will send you their conclusion in writing within 120 days of your interview and exam. Their decision will come on a Form N-652, "Find of Test Results."
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One of iii things will happen at this point:

1. USCIS will approve your application, and you can move on to Step five below.

2. USCIS will "continue" your application. "Standing" means that they are placing your application on concord for 1 of these reasons:

• You didn't pass part of your citizenship test. If this happens, you'll need to render for a 2nd interview and retake the office of the exam that you didn't pass. Brand sure that you set up well for your second examination. If y'all practise not pass the exam a 2d time, USCIS will deny your application.
• You didn't provide all of the documents or information that USCIS needed tp approve your application. If this happens, USCIS will send y'all a Form N-14, explaining what else yous need to provide to them. You will accept xxx days to respond to Form N-14. If you do not fulfill this request within 30 days, USCIS may send you a denial of your application.

3. USCIS will deny your application. If this happens, USCIS will send yous a letter explaining why the denial of your awarding and what options you take at present. If you lot believe USCIS fabricated a mistake, you lot can file an appeal within xxx days of receiving the denial letter. USCIS volition schedule a hearing within 180 days of receiving your appeal. If the USCIS officeholder at your appeal denies your application, you accept 1 more option. Yous can asking to have a U.S. district courtroom review your example. Information technology's best to get your application right the first time and so that you can avoid the headaches of rescheduling and appeals. You tin can do this by:

1. Making sure that you lot are well-prepared for the citizenship interview and exam and
2. Providing all of the information that USCIS needs when (or before) they ask for it.
   

ImmigrationHelp.org can assistance you stay on pinnacle of the application and interview procedure for complimentary.

Step five. You take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization! - (12-17.5 months after yous file course N-400)

Congratulations, you accept made it so far!

After you complete your citizenship interview and laissez passer the test, at that place is only ane more step to become a U.S. denizen. Once you lot have the Adjuration of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony, you can ditch your Dark-green Card, because you'll be a full U.S citizen!

A U.Southward. government official will administrate the Oath at a formal ceremony.

If USCIS canonical your application at the interview, the Adjuration of Fidelity ceremony might even occur on the same day as your interview and exam!

Otherwise, USCIS will schedule the Oath ceremony for 2-half dozen weeks subsequently y'all laissez passer your exam. They'll ship you lot the date, time, and location of your Oath ceremony on Course N-445, "Notice of Naturalization Adjuration Ceremony" 1-iv weeks afterward passing your exam. You'll receive your Certificate of Naturalization at this location after you lot have the Oath. You can often even register to vote there the same mean solar day!

If you can't make information technology to your Oath of Fidelity ceremony, you'll need to send the find with a letter requesting a new date and explaining why you can't get in. Do not skip the ceremony without notifying the USCIS office where your Oath ceremony is scheduled! If y'all don't appear more than once for your naturalization anniversary, USCIS may deny your application.
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Tip: Check your Certificate of Naturalization for errors before you exit the ceremony site. It is way easier to set up these errors now than it will be later!

Pace 6. Showtime getting the benefits of existence a U.Southward. Denizen

Congratulations on making it this far! It'southward been a long journey, but you've crossed the finish line. Now you can enjoy all of the privileges of being a U.S. citizen!

There are a few things you lot will desire to practise ASAP afterwards you go your Certificate of Naturalization:

• Update your Social Security record so that you are eligible for Medicare and Social Security Benefits. Updating your Social Security record takes about x days.
• Apply for a U.South. passport so that you lot can travel to and from the United States with ease. Applying for a passport takes 2–vi weeks.
• Annals to vote so that you have a say in who governs your new land! Registering to vote takes 2-4 weeks, depending on where y'all alive.

Immigrationhelp.org tin guide yous through the entire naturalization process for free with our elementary web app.

Why are USCIS processing times so random?

U.South. Citizen and Clearing Services (USCIS) is the government agency that processes Citizenship past Naturalization applications. USCIS receives tons of applications every year, so it uses field offices all over the Us to procedure local applications every bit quickly equally possible. When you employ for Citizenship, USCIS assigns your application to the field office closest to your ZIP code.

Every USCIS field office receives a different number of applications. This deviation ways that some offices take longer than others. USCIS publishes the processing times for every field office online and updates these times monthly.

The USCIS processing time tool shows times every bit a range between 2 numbers. For example, the processing time for Class N400 at the Boston, MA field office is ten.5-fourteen.5 months every bit of viii/28/2020. The first number is "the time information technology takes to complete 50% of cases (the median)," and the second number is how long it takes the center to complete 93% of cases.

The "national boilerplate processing time" in this guide is the first number in the range (the median) averaged across all USCIS field offices in the U.S. This average resets every September.

The excess of pending U.S. citizenship applications has doubled over the final four years, and look times have been steadily ascent. Things have gotten even worse due to Covid-nineteen and the Trump administration. Some cases now take xx+ months. It is more than important than ever to employ for Citizenship as soon as you are eligible.

ImmigrationHelp.org makes information technology easy and free to prepare your Citizenship application with our simple web app.

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Source: https://www.immigrationhelp.org/learning-center/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-u-s-citizenship-after-you-apply

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