The Leap to Citizenship

December ushers in the holiday season.  With Christmas just over three weeks away, the New Year is just around the corner.  Research shows that many immigrants in the United States are feeling under pressure to take the leap into becoming citizens.  For the rest of the month, this site will place its focus on filing for citizenship and getting the site live and up and running.  Look out for upcoming articles on the state of this process as many long time green card holders in the United States feel pressure from anti-immigrant rhetoric to take this very personal step.  In our first installment: check out this simple overview of the process.  Enjoy!

Here are the basic steps involved in filing for Citizenship once filing (sending in) your N-400 application:  *Due to the increased volume in applications received by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) wait times are subject to change.

1. Receipt of Application:
   2-3 weeks after sending in the application

   A. “known as Form I-797C, Notice of Action… arrives approximately 2-3 weeks after filing.” ([1]Citizen Path)

   B. It will also contain your 10-digit receipt number which can be used to check on the progress of your application throughout the process.

2. Appointment for Biometrics:
   3-5 weeks after receiving the notice of receipt

   A. Will likely take place at your local USCIS Application Support Center
   B. It will include fingerprinting for security clearance and a criminal background check

3. Biometrics Appointment:
   5-8 weeks after receiving notice of appointment
   A. Will take about 30 minutes to complete

   B. They will collect your fingerprints, photograph and signature

   C. *You will need photo identification to enter the building for the appointment

4. Naturalization Interview Appointment Notice:
   3-5 months after the Biometrics appointment
   A. USCIS will send notice for your interview
   B. *It is best to attend the appointment at the time scheduled. Delaying it may add months to this process

5. Naturalization Interview:
   4-6 months after filing for citizenship
   A. You will be required to take a Citizenship test
   B. You will have to answer 10 citizenship knowledge questions
   C. Here is the link to the 100 possible questions they could ask

6. After the Interview:
   You will receive an N-652 – Naturalization Interview Results
   A. Granted Approval: Eligible for naturalization
   B. Continued: May need to provide additional information
   C. Denied: Not approved to be eligible for naturalization
   a. If approved at the interview your next step will be to wait for a notice of the time and place of the naturalization ceremony.
   b. If you are not approved at the time of the interview, USCIS will continue the case. They will usually require you to provide additional evidence at a second interview.

---

[1] Citizen Path (2013, 2017) http://bit.ly/2AnWCJh