How To Prepare For Naturalization Interview

Before Your Naturalization Test

When all your paperwork is complete, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will send an appointment notice. The notice will tell you the date and time of your interview.

The interview is the last step to becoming a citizen. Once you pass your naturalization test, you will be able to become a US citizen.

Approximately 3 ~ 5 Weeks After Filing Of N

After receiving I-797, the receipt notice, you should expect to receive another notice notifying your Biometrics appointment. Within the appointment notice, you will be assigned biometrics appointment date, time, and location. USCIS requires you to be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a security clearance and criminal background check.

IMPORTANT: If you are 75 years old or older, you are waived from paying biometric services fee, but you still have to attend a biometric appointment regardless of age.

Understand What Happens During The Interview

You need to know what happens during a citizenship test. An immigration officer will ask you to produce all the identification documents for verification. He will then place you under oath before asking you about your background, place of residence, character and your willingness to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. The officer may ask you some other questions just to make sure that you are eligible for citizenship.

This may include your ability to read, write and speak English. You will also qualify for a civic test in English to determine how well you know the history and government of the United States. You can be given the civics test in a language you understand if you are not yet good in English. However, this is only applicable to those who qualify for age or disability exemptions.

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If You Do Not Pass The Re

USCIS will deny your naturalization application. Youll have a chance to appeal the denial, by writing to USCIS within 30 days of receiving the letter stating their decision. If they grant your request, USCIS will schedule a hearing to take place within 180 days of receiving your request. During the hearing, a USCIS officer will re-test you on the portion of the exam that you did not pass on your second attempt.

Weve joined forces with RapidVisa to help you stay on top of interview preparation, follow-on forms, and every other important milestone along the way. Ready to start?

Getting Ready For Your Naturalization Test Interview

The best thing you can do to succeed at your naturalization interview is: be prepared!

Being prepared means making sure your English reading, speaking and writing skills are good enough. It also means being ready for the Civics test. Make sure you understand all the questions you will be asked during your interview.

If you are not ready, you can to prepare you for the naturalization test.

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There Is Always A Second Opportunity

If, for any reason, you fail your test, remember you can try again in approximately 60 days. The bad news is that if you dont succeed the second time, your application can be denied altogether, and you will have to start the whole process again. So, if you are given a second opportunity, dont miss it!

Remember to always work with an immigration attorney. They are professionals in these issues and will guide you every step of the process. Take your practice tests, study hard, and be proud of becoming a US citizen.

How Should I Dress

USCIS does not have formal requirements for interview attire, and what you choose to wear for the occasion certainly wont affect the outcome of your application. Just keep in mind that youll be meeting face to face with a federal officer who has plenty of discretion on the outcome of your application, so its best to err on the side of caution and think business casual.

If all of this sounds complicated and intimidating, dont worry! Weve joined forces with RapidVisa to help you complete your citizenship application and guide you all the way to the finish line. Together well help you stay on top of interview preparation, follow-on forms, and every other important milestone along the way.

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What To Expect At The Citizenship Interview

It is very likely that you are going to meet others who are there for the same purpose. You may have to wait for a few minutes before it gets to your turn for the interview. When it is time, you will be called in to meet an official who will conduct the interview. USCIS officials are professionals who are very knowledgeable in their field they are always ready to welcome you. So, you can be sure of getting a first class customer service at their office.

Things To Bring With You

Being prepared also means having everything you need to take to your interview.

You must bring the following items with you:

• Your appointment notice
• Your Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Card
• Your drivers license or state-issued identification card
• All current and expired passports or travel documents

You may also want to bring:

• A copy of your N-400 application form for your own reference
• A list of the 100 questionsthat the officer will pick 10 questions from .

You are allowed to bring your lawyer if you have one.

Your appointment notice will tell you if you need to bring other documents, such as marriage or divorce certificates, tax documents, or documents to do with your spouse or children.

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Do Not Overestimate Your Ability

One of the main reasons for failing the test is assuming it is just about general knowledge and things every kid should know. Depending on the time you have lived in the US, your study level, or even your type of job, you may find some of the practice questions too easy or way too obvious. But it is better to eat your humble pie, do your homework, and give it your best to achieve citizenship.

Interview Decision From Uscis

If all goes well at the interview, the USCIS officer will tell you that you have been approved and might hand you a piece of paper containing information about your swearing-in ceremony.

In some parts of the United States, you have a choice between going to a court-run or a USCIS-run ceremony. If that’s the case where you are, the officer will show you the schedule and ask you to choose a date. Most USCIS offices will notify you about the swearing-in ceremony by mail. In any case, you are now a mere one or two months away from attaining U.S. citizenship.

Sometimes the officer cannot make a decision after the interview, maybe because the officer needs you to send another document or evidence of eligibility. Or, the officer might need to get approval from a supervisor because of some uncertainty about whether or not you are entitled to citizenship. Make sure you comply with any deadlines for responding to requests for more evidence.

If you are denied, you should receive a piece of paper from the USCIS officer explaining the reasons. You can choose to appeal or to simply reapply. Don’t reapply, however, unless you understand why you got denied and your new application will be different and will likely cause USCIS to approve you this time.

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How Long Does It Take To Get A Green Card After The Interview

• Also you first have to pay the USCIS Immigration Fee before you get your green card. ¹²

Overall, the green card interview is the same as any interview.

You need to be prepared and should always be honest with your answers. But you dont need to stress over it any more than normal.

As long as you follow this advice, you should be well on your way to get your green card.

Approximately 7 ~ 11 Months After Filing Of N

You are almost at the end of the citizenship timeline. At the interview, USCIS officers will ask various questions about your N-400 application to confirm that the answers you provided are still correct. In addition, you will need to take the naturalization test to demonstrate that you are able to read, write, and speak basic English and that you have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government . Based on your understanding of the questions and responses to said questions will typically be considered as part of English test. In addition, you will be asked to read and write a sentence in English. Thereafter, they will administer the civics test. For more information, please see our âHow to Prepare for the Naturalization Testâ for a more detailed information

After your naturalization interview, USCIS will give you Form N-652, naturalization interview results. It gives you the result of your interview. They will either Grant, Continue, or Deny your Naturalization application.

• Granted â USCIS approves your naturalization application
• Continued â USCIS may continue your naturalization application if you failed a test or did not provide all or incorrect documents. This will add additional time to complete the naturalization process
• Denied â USCIS denies your naturalization application.

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If You Have A Disability

You can bring a family member or legal guardian, but the USCIS officer conducting your interview can decide whether to allow their presence during your interview. Its generally a good idea to ask for prior permission by contacting the USCIS field office assigned to you before your interview.

Do you need special accommodations during your interview? Weve joined forces with RapidVisa, and together we will ensure the appropriate documents and forms, such as the G-28, are included with your application. Get started now!

Get Rest Before The Test

Its common to feel stressed about the testing part of the naturalization process, but theres no need to be. Make sure you get a good night of sleep the night before and dress appropriately for your interview. Think of it as if youre going in for a job interview. Dress professionally and be organized. Have all the documents you need in a folder to keep things neat and wrinkle-free.

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Questions About The United States

You will also have to take a test on U.S. history and government, and civics. During this exam, you must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly about the USA. The questions and answers are spoken. The officer will tell you if your answer is correct or not. Once you have answered 6 questions correctly, the officer will stop asking questions and tell you that youve passed that part of the test. Here is a list of the 100 official questions you can download. The officer will pick 10 questions from the list. Some of the answers, such as the name of the president, may change by the time you take your test. You can also listen to the 100 questions and answers in a recording from uscis.gov.

Learn more about the U.S. citizenship questions and answers and find them in other languages.

Before You Go In To The Interview Room

When it is time for your appointment, the USCIS officer will come out to the waiting room to get you. The officer will call your name and then introduce himself or herself. The officer may ask you, How are you? Although it is not your official test yet, the officer is already testing your English language skills. So you will want to say something like, I am well, thank you. How are you? Then you will follow the officer to the citizenship interview room.

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Tips For Your Green Card Interview

Diamonds are made under pressure, right? But seriously, although the interview can seem daunting, as long as youre prepared and honest, then you have nothing to worry about.

Here are some tips that will help you ace the interview:

Approximately 2 ~ 3 Weeks After Filing Of N

Once you complete the Form N-400 and properly gather all necessary documents, you then will submit the application along with the filing fee either online or by mail. From the date of filing, the USCIS will send you a receipt notice, formally known as I-797C, notice of action. However, if you did not properly file your Form N-400, USCIS will send a notice of action to reject the application or may send a request for evidence. Either will significantly delay your naturalization processing time.

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Is The Us Citizenship Test Hard To Pass

How difficult the U.S citizenship test will be is subjective. On a general principle, the test isnt as hard as you may think it is. But it depends on how much preparation youve done beforehand.

However, if you havent brushed up on United States history or the English language, you might find it a lot harder compared to someone else who has.

Its in your best interests to take the steps necessary to study and prepare as much as you can prior to the interview and test. Part of preparing for the test is knowing what to expect.

The Naturalization Interview And Test

New Resources released in connection with Constitution Day and Citizenship Day!

USCIS is pleased to announce the following new resources are now available:

Two-Generational Family Approaches to Citizenship – This tip sheet highlights ways K-12 schools and adult citizenship education programs can engage the entire family through civics education.

N-400 Topic Exercises: Oath of Allegiance – This educational handout describes the key principles found in the Oath of Allegiance that applicants take at their naturalization ceremonies.

A More Perfect Union: The USCIS Civics Test Guide to the Monuments and Memorials on the National Mall is a series of 13 interactive resources that allows applicants to learn about the individuals and events represented by the monuments and memorials in Washington, DC, while studying for the naturalization civics test. The Civics Test Guide to Constitution Gardens is the first in the series to be released, and it highlights the naturalization civics test questions relating to the principles and structures of government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens that are identified in the U.S. Constitution.

National Park Service Expedition Series – Developed for students by the National Parks Service, this fun and informative five-part video series explores the history and significance of Ellis Island.

See below to learn more about the naturalization test and the free study materials and resources available to help you prepare.

Speaking

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What To Take To The Naturalization Interview

After filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, keep a folder that contains a copy of your application, originals of all supporting documentation, and any communication you receive from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This early preparation will help you stay organized and prepared for the interview day. Take this folder to your interview.

Start by reviewing your custom filing instructions from CitizenPath. Our instructions give you a simple list of items to take to the naturalization interview that has been customized based on your application. But make sure you have all items requested in the list provided by USCIS when they send your appointment notice.

Documents that you must take your naturalization test and interview include:

• Interview appointment notice
• Permanent resident card
• Your drivers license or other state-issued identification card
• All current and expired passports and travel documents

Depending on your individual case, you may need to have other items with you when you appear for a naturalization interview. Take original documents unless otherwise indicated. Depending on your N-400 answers, you may need to take these items:

You do not need to offer any of the information listed above until asked by the USCIS officer conducting your naturalization interview. In many cases, the officer wont even ask for some of these documents. If you have the information ready, youll avoid delays and be on your way to U.S. citizenship.

If Your Application Is Successful

After passing the U.S citizenship interview, you will be one step away from becoming a U.S. citizen. You will now be required to take the oath of allegiance to become a citizen. In some instances, the oath of allegiance may be conducted on the same day for successful applicants. If that does not happen, the naturalization ceremony may be conducted on a different date, but within 120 days of passing.

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