ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Police Clearance/Certificate?
Anyone else???
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-06-05 16:24:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Police Clearance/Certificate?
That's what I thought but it's a complex process to get a police certificate from Hong Kong...there's a lot of different documentation and such that you need and one is a Hong Kong ID card which I don't believe her Mother kept so I'm not sure how she would circumvent that in order to obtain her police certificate?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-06-05 06:29:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Police Clearance/Certificate?
Okay, my wife wants to bring her Mother here from the Philippines. Her Mother worked in Hong Kong from 1994-98 and this is the only time she was outside of the Philippines, does she need a Police Clearance/Certificate from there considering it was 10 years ago? How would the U.S. Embassy know she worked there?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-06-04 20:35:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Hong Kong Police Clearance?
My wife is trying to bring my mother-in-law here to the U.S. After gathering the info needed and submitting it we find that she needs a Hong Kong Police Clearance as she worked there for 4 years. This is kind of confusing as the HKPD web site states that "A photocopy of a letter from the relevant Consulate / Immigration Authority / Government Authority, which contains his or her name and clearly indicates that the production of the Certificate is required." is needed, how do we get this? We are at the stage where we are about to submit the AOS package with the next package due for submission being the DS230 which requires the above clearance from the HKPD. Does anybody have experience with this?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-09-17 18:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNaturalization CD?

The pilot questions are here

http://www.uscis.gov...0000ecd190aRCRD

Thanks for the link but we're looking for an actual audio CD with the questions on it that my wife can listen to at work and review. Does anyone know about something like this?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2007-07-09 19:15:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNaturalization CD?
Can anyone tell me where I can get a Naturalization CD w/142 questions for the new pilot test being issued? Is there a place that will send you this for free or will you have to pay for it no matter what?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2007-07-09 18:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 Photo?
Hello! My wife and I are getting ready to submit her N-400 and we just had her photos taken. Our question is are both of her ears supposed to be showing? My wife has long hair and it's covering her left ear in the photos...will these be rejected? Should we get more pictures taken and try to get both ears showing? Thanks for any info!!!
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2007-12-18 17:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAsterisk in NOA Receipt Application Number?
I called USCIS this morning and the lady I spoke with said that all naturalization application numbers have an asterisk. As for not being able to check the case status online she said that because of the deluge of applications that they have fallen behind as far as updating the web sites database and to give it a week and check again and if we still don't have any luck to call back.
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-01-11 12:08:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAsterisk in NOA Receipt Application Number?
Were you ever told as to why your number has an asterisk? Did you also get a message saying that your case cannot be retrieved and to check to make sure you entered the correct case number?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-01-11 07:33:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAsterisk in NOA Receipt Application Number?
We just received my wife's NOA Receipt for her Naturalization application and the application number starts out with ESC but then has an asterisk (*)immediately following and then the rest of her numbers after that. I found this odd so i went online to check her case status using that number and it gives me an error message saying the case cannot be found and to recheck that the correct number was entered. Does anyone else have an asterisk in their application number? What does it mean (if anything)?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-01-10 18:20:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionOnline Case Status?
bump
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-01-23 19:17:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionOnline Case Status?
We have recently submitted my wife's N400 application (December 21,2007). We have already received the Receipt NOA and last week we received the Biometric's NOA but we are still unable to view her case status online, we get a "Case Retrieval Error". My view is that since we have received these two NOA's that we shouldn't worry too much about not being able to view her case status online...yet...but I would still like to know why it's taking so long and make sure that nothing is wrong (don't want any glitches in the system deleting her case). Has anybody else run into this and if so what have you done about it?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-01-19 23:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVSC Oath Taking?
Does anyone know when and where the oath taking ceremony takes place at the VSC?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-01-27 23:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionField Office Statistics please add your info
1. St. Albans, Vermont

2. As of Jan. 15th they are processing June 02, 2007

3. NOA receipt says 365 days

4. 12-20-2007 Submitted my wife N400 to VSC.
12-21-2007 UPS confirms that her application arrived.
01-03-2008 Check Cashed by USCIS.
01-10-2008 Received NOA Receipt Notice.
01-15-2008 Received NOA Biometric's Appointment Notice.
01-28-2008 Biometrics/fingerprints done.
02-20-2008 Received NOA Interview Appointment Notice.
04-15-2008 Naturalization Interview (wish us luck)
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-02-21 18:06:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSUCCESS!!!
I forgot to mention that her oath taking ceremony will be held May 21, 2008.
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-04-16 21:05:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSUCCESS!!!
Well, my wife had her Naturalization Interview yesterday and she passed with flying colors! It took her about 15 minutes. At first she was worried because her interviewer looked very stern and she was so nervous that she sat down in the chair even after he told her not to sit yet as she had to take the oath to tell the truth during her interview...lol. After that her interviewer actually joked about how big her file was compared to the others he usually processes saying she obviously doesn't like trees...lol (her file was about 5 or 6 inches thick compared to most that are about 1 inch). Then he started reviewing her N400 and proceeded to ask her the "Yes or No" questions in part 10. After that he had her sign part 13 and part 14 and her picture. He then started asking her the civic exam questions, the particular questions he asked her are as follows:

1.) What are the colors of our flag?
2.) Who makes the Federal laws in the United States?
3.) What are some of the requirements to be eligible to become president?
4.) Who nominates judges for the Supreme Court?
5.) When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
6.) Which President is called The Father of our Country?
7.) Who is the Commander in Chief of the US Military?
8.) What US Citizenship and Immigration form is used to apply for naturalized citizenship?
9.) What is the most important right granted to United States citizens?
10.) How many branches are there in the United States government?

She answered all of her questions correctly and then he asked her to write the sentence "I live in Vermont". After that he told her that she had passed but she wasn't quite done as he needed to update some stuff on the computer. He then told her where to go for her oath taking ceremony, gave her the N445 form Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony and explained how to fill it out and that the questions are pertaining to her actions from the date of her Naturalization interview to the day of her oath taking (not any time prior to her interview). He then told her she was done and gave her the Citizens Almanac and that was it. She said she wanted to come out all sullen and gloomy to tease me into thinking she had failed but I could see a sparkle in her eye and I knew she had passed jest.gif . Now if anyone who has already taken their oath could explain how the day goes and what to expect we would appreciate it?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-04-16 20:09:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCALLING ALL MAY 21, 2008 VERMONT OATHTAKERS!!!
bump
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-04-25 17:26:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCALLING ALL MAY 21, 2008 VERMONT OATHTAKERS!!!
I just wanted to see how many other's there are on this message board who are taking their oath at the Neshobe Elementary School in Brandon, VT on May 21, 2008? Where are you from and how long has your journey been? Where do you live? Any fellow Vermonter's? I figured it would be nice to maybe get to know each other a little bit before the ceremony so that we can greet each other there and not be a bunch of strangers dancin5hr.gif !!!

Edited by TruLoveFound, 17 April 2008 - 07:00 PM.

TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-04-17 18:59:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCONGRATULATIONS!!!
To my lovely wife Ann as she officially became an American citizen today! She took her Naturalization oath today with 41 other new citizens at the Neshobe Elementary School in Brandon, VT. She is from the Philippines and she's been here in the U.S. for almost 4 years now. Her citizenship journey hasn't been easy and there's been lot's of obstacles for us to overcome, logistically, emotionally and financially but we have made it and her journey has now come to an end and culminated in her becoming a citizen of these great United States of America!!! She also registered to vote so she will be able to take part in the upcoming Presidential election this November, the first ever election here the U.S where her vote will count towards determining the next President of the United States of America!!! wow.gif
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-05-21 21:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
Don't worry Miri, that's what it said on my wife's biometrics NOA too and look how fast it went for us. Of course this all depends on how much of a backlog your local field office has and the FBI name check but just wanted to give you some hope that it can take a much shorter time then what they list!
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-02-23 14:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
Hi there everyone. I thought I would update my wife's status for everyone so those who are going through the same process can judge their own timeframes. We went through VSC with our local field office being in St. Alban's, Vermont. We just received her interview appointment notice today and she is scheduled for her interview on April 15, 2008 (which also happens to be my birthday so after we're going to celebrate kicking.gif !!!

12-20-2007 Submitted my wife N400 to VSC.
12-21-2007 UPS confirms that her application arrived.
01-03-2008 Check Cashed by USCIS.
01-10-2008 Received NOA Receipt Notice.
01-15-2008 Received NOA Biometric's Appointment Notice.
01-28-2008 Biometrics/fingerprints done.
02-20-2008 Received NOA Interview Appointment Notice.
04-15-2008 Naturalization Interview (wish us luck)

We can now see the light at the end of the immigration tunnel...yahoo!!!
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-02-20 17:56:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
Hello all,

Well, my wife just had her Biometrics (fingerprints) done this morning. Didn't take too long...maybe 15 minutes. After we asked an employee about how long after the Biometrics are done would my wife receive her civics test and she said that they are processing applications from August through October right now so since we filed in December that it would probably be another 3 or 4 months. This was good news as it's much faster then we had heard previously...she actually said that the VSC is now the fastest in processing the N400's because they don't have any backlog (we're assuming she's talking about the infamous June/July backlog that everyone was complaining about). We also asked about the oathtaking and she said that it's done once per month and is generally about 1-2 months after you pass the civics test but she said depending on how many people are scheduled for one group that it could happen as soon as a couple of weeks after passing the civics test. Good news for Vermont filers for sure!!!

12-20-2007 Submitted my wife N400 to VSC.
12-21-2007 UPS confirms that her application arrived.
01-03-2007 Check Cashed by USCIS.
01-10-2007 Received NOA Receipt Notice.
01-15-2007 Received NOA Biometric's Appointment Notice.
01-28-2007 Biometrics/fingerprints done.

Edited by TruLoveFound, 28 January 2008 - 05:39 PM.

TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-01-28 17:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
Just an update. We received my wifes biometric's appointment notice today. The updated timeline is as follows...

12-20-2007 Submitted my wife N400 to VSC.
12-21-2007 UPS confirms that her application arrived.
01-03-2007 Check Cashed by USCIS
01-10-2007 Received NOA Receipt Notice
01-15-2007 Received NOA Biometric's Appointment Notice (actual appointment date is January 28, 2008)

Anybody know approximately how long after your biometrics are done that your interview is scheduled?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-01-15 19:26:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
Here is our timeline so far...

12-20-2007 Submitted my wife N400 to VSC.
12-21-2007 UPS confirms that her application arrived.
01-03-2007 Check Cashed by USCIS
01-10-2007 Received NOA Receipt Notice

...as you can see we just began our filing process but I'll keep updating as new info is provided. Good luck to all!!!
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-01-10 18:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhat are the total fees for N-400?
Yup, it's a different set of biometrics fees. I don't understand why they don't keep a set of the fingerprints on file somewhere so they don't need to take them 3 different times but then again if they did that they wouldn't be able to soak you for an additional $80 each time. The grand total you will need to pay currently is $675. If you're not submitting soon I would suggest keping a watch out on the USCIS web site as we all know the fees WILL keep going up even if the level of service doesn't match!
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2008-04-18 06:24:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAfter filing I751,what to do?
bump
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-08-22 21:16:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAfter filing I751,what to do?
bump
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-08-22 09:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAfter filing I751,what to do?
So it is 3 years if you are married correct? My example is that my wife and I have been married for 2 years this November and she has been a permanent resident for 2 years in March 07' so anytime after November 08' she should be able to apply for naturalization (citizenship) because she will have been married to me (a born and raised US citizen) for 3 years AND been a permanent resident for 3 years.
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-08-22 06:28:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen to File I-751?
Sorry Kezzie, not that you didn't answer my question well enough...just wanted a few more people to chime in for a consensus.

By the way, anyone been through this portion of the ordeal via the Vermont Service Center in Saint Albans? How long did it take? Was it faster than the other service centers? Any problems?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-08-21 17:26:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen to File I-751?
bump
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-08-21 06:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen to File I-751?
Ok, I read on here that you're supposed to file 90 days before your conditional green card expires (just like it says on the form) but I know that when I talked to the USCIS after my wife received her conditional green card in March of 2004 that they said to file 6 months in advance instead of the 3 months as directed on the form because of the backlog of applications. So which should we believe? We can't afford to throw away $205 like one post said you'd be doing if you filed too early but if we indeed should file 6 months in advance that would mean we'd be filing in the middle of this September.

Another question we have is on the two (or more) sworn affidavits from people who have known us since my wife received her conditional residency, can those be from relatives (Mother, Uncle, Aunt, Cousin etc.) or should they be from non-relatives (friends etc.) or one from both?

Thanks for any and all info/opinions!!!
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-08-20 19:58:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen to Expect NOA1?
I just spoke with the USCIS again to reverify the information I had been told and the person I spoke with wasn't even aware of the fee change until she looked it up on her computer...that's how new this change is, I literally printed out the same form on Thursday night and it had no mention of the Biometrics fee whatsoever...just the $205 I-751 fee so thischanged/updated within the past 3 days...that just plain SUCKS!!! She did say that our packet wouldn't be returned to us and that they would just notify us through mail requesting the additional fee be sent. I asked if we could just send it now and she recommended not and to just wait until we are notified to send it. I will be SOOOOO glad when we are done with this immigration #######!!!

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope they send it back soon. please, keep me posted.


TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-12-18 17:22:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen to Expect NOA1?
Unfortunately it's too late for mine to be retrieved, I sent it Priority Mail on saturday and it probably has arrived already as we live in Vermont so the mail will get to the Vermont Service Center very quickly. I just hope they return the packet quickly so we can stick in the other check and resubmit it as soon as possible!

I just came from the Post Office. They gave me the envelope back and they also returned the fee.
I just can't believe it!
They have these forms to recall. They can intercept the mail before reaches the destination.
I'm not sure when you sent your package but you can give it a try and go to the post office.


TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-12-18 15:07:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen to Expect NOA1?
Trust me, I'm just as upset as you are!!! It seems this form just barely changed within the past couple of weeks. The lady I spoke to said to wait until we received our packet back, insert the additional check for $70 and resubmit it. Soooo irritating!!!!

Oh my God! I just mailed 12/18 my I-751 with $205. I just verified it and it is true. The new fee is $275.
Shall I send a check with $70 or wait for the package to be returned? I'm so upset right now. My package has been ready and sealed for the last couple of weeks.


TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-12-18 13:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen to Expect NOA1?
Just an FYI...I-751 fee is now $275. This includes a biometrics fee of $70 (seperate checks). This steams me as we had just printed off our I-751 form two weeks ago and it didn't mention anything about biometrics! Of course we just mailed our packet on Saturday...with only the $205 for the I-751 included. I called the USCIS to confirm this and the lady said yes, the current total fee's are $275 including the biometrics. She said they must have updated the form in the two weeks were assembling our packet and that our packet would be returned to us and we were to just include another check for $70 and resubmit it. This is such bullsh!t, just another way for the government to soak a few extra dollars out of us!!! Oh, the silver lining is you no longer need to get passport photos to include since they're going to run another biometrics on you. It's not going to effect my wifes petition because we're 3 months ahead of her green card expiration but by the time we get the packet back and resubmit it it'll only be 2 1/2 months before...very irritating!!!

Anybody??? Bump

Ok, we just mailed our I-751 form to remove the conditions on my wifes green card today, how long does it usually take before we receive the NOA1 after submission (anyone who has gone through the Vermont Service Center we would especially appreciate your input as Vermont is where we live and we are going through that service center)?


TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-12-18 12:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen to Expect NOA1?
Anybody??? Bump

Ok, we just mailed our I-751 form to remove the conditions on my wifes green card today, how long does it usually take before we receive the NOA1 after submission (anyone who has gone through the Vermont Service Center we would especially appreciate your input as Vermont is where we live and we are going through that service center)?


TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-12-18 08:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen to Expect NOA1?
Ok, we just mailed our I-751 form to remove the conditions on my wifes green card today, how long does it usually take before we receive the NOA1 after submission (anyone who has gone through the Vermont Service Center we would especially appreciate your input as Vermont is where we live and we are going through that service center)?
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2006-12-16 12:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHow Long After Receiving Biometrics Appointment?
Actually after conferring with my wife we mailed her I-751 on December 16th...not the 18th. I hope you do receive your new 10yr. Greencard within 30 days of the completion of your Biometrics!!!
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2007-01-17 17:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHow Long After Receiving Biometrics Appointment?
So we sent in our I-751 on December 18th. We received our NOA on January 9th and my wifes Biometrics appointment notice on January 10th (her appointment is January 22nd). I have two questions, number one...we filed I believe just before they raised the I-751 fee to include the $70 Biometrics, we have received nothing requesting the additional $70 fee on the NOA or the Biometrics appointment notice...did we just get in under the wire and they won't request the $70 fee or will they request it at her appointment (I plan on bringing a check just in case)? My next question is how long after the Biometrics appointment did it take for the conditions to be removed (or to have an appointment/interview scheduled to have them removed)?

Edited by TruLoveFound, 17 January 2007 - 10:52 AM.

TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2007-01-17 10:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 rejected because of incorrect fee??!!
We've been through the same thing. We mailed my wife's I-751 on Dec. 16th w/the $205 filing fee and photo ID. Check was cashed and we received our NOA extending her permenant residence status for one year on Jan. 9th, the next day we received the Biometrics Appointment notice and she was scheduled for Jan. 22nd. We have since been to her appointment which took all of 20 minutes (5 minutes wait time, 15 minutes processing time) and her Appointment notice was stamped and initialed by the USCIS worker. Now we wait until we receive further contact/instructions. I was nervous that they may request the additional $70 fee so i brough the checkbook with us to her appointment but there was no request on either the NOA or her Appointment notice and they processed her without asking for any additional fee and I assume they would not have processed her at all without receiving additional money if required.
TruLoveFoundMalePhilippines2007-01-25 10:45:00