Green Card to citizenship
Discussion
Next year my green car expires so I have decided to go all the way and apply for citizenship. Has anyone else here done this in the last year or so? How long did it take? I hear its about 6 months, depending on where you are in the US. Any other experiences in the process worth noting?
I have just sent off my application so I am waiting for maybe a case number if they acknowledge your application arriving.
I have just sent off my application so I am waiting for maybe a case number if they acknowledge your application arriving.
Thanks for the initial input. Conscription, like you say, unlikley. Jury service, is it really so bad? I guess it depends where you live.
The main driver for me is employment. I spent the last 8 years in the defence industry but got laid off earlier this year. There are several employment opportunities in my area in the defence industry, but they are all requiring US citizenship to apply and security clearance. I know, how did I maintain my previous job? It wouldn't be appropriate to go into it here. So, by getting my citizenship I can increase my employment chances in what is a relatively small city with limited opportunities in my field, engineering.
The main driver for me is employment. I spent the last 8 years in the defence industry but got laid off earlier this year. There are several employment opportunities in my area in the defence industry, but they are all requiring US citizenship to apply and security clearance. I know, how did I maintain my previous job? It wouldn't be appropriate to go into it here. So, by getting my citizenship I can increase my employment chances in what is a relatively small city with limited opportunities in my field, engineering.
Thanks for the updates folks. I have had my case number receipt and just got my date in early August for the biometrics/fingerprint test. Anyone know what else that entails? Keep it clean....
No offence taken on the security clearance and chances comment. I know what you mean. I was an engineering project manager and I was the lead engineer designing the original MRAP vehicles in the early 2000's. Some of you in the UK may have heard of the Mastiff...... So I have some pretty detailed, expert knowledge in the engineering field that should put me ahead of others.
I have just written to my Senator explaining things to see if he can get my case accelerated. I know they have criteria for this, but its worth the price of a stamp.
In the meantime, if anyone has any connections with industry/manufacturing in the Charleston SC area, please get in touch.
No offence taken on the security clearance and chances comment. I know what you mean. I was an engineering project manager and I was the lead engineer designing the original MRAP vehicles in the early 2000's. Some of you in the UK may have heard of the Mastiff...... So I have some pretty detailed, expert knowledge in the engineering field that should put me ahead of others.
I have just written to my Senator explaining things to see if he can get my case accelerated. I know they have criteria for this, but its worth the price of a stamp.
In the meantime, if anyone has any connections with industry/manufacturing in the Charleston SC area, please get in touch.
Well that sounds pretty painless. Thanks for the info. Mind you, I do wonder at the logic of why they took your photos because you send in photos with your application anyway, and the last few times I have come back into the US they check my fingerprints on the scanner at immigration, so surely they already have this info on file. Still, I guess its double checking and keeps some people employed.....
Did they indicate how much longer before you get the interview and have you swotted up for your questions yet?
Did they indicate how much longer before you get the interview and have you swotted up for your questions yet?
Today I had my biometrics appointment. As previously stated a quick and simple process, in and out in less than 30 mins.
My letter to my Senator got a positive response from him, but apparently there are guidelines/criteria for requesting an expedited application. Fingers crossed, now to swot up on my citizenship questions.
My letter to my Senator got a positive response from him, but apparently there are guidelines/criteria for requesting an expedited application. Fingers crossed, now to swot up on my citizenship questions.
Just an update and another question to those in the know. I have my citizenship interview on 5th November, so that took only 4 months to get. I am swatting up for the civics questions. If you pass the interview on the day, are you declared a US citizen there and then with a piece of official paper? Is the fancy ceremony at the same time (if you pass) or a later date and then you get the paperwork?
I have 2 companies wanting to interview me as soon as I get my citizenship. They aren't interested in interviewing me until I get it with a conditional or anything. Yes, 7 months and still looking for a job, but I am sticking to my guns to stay here in Charleston.
Thanks again for the information and support.
I have 2 companies wanting to interview me as soon as I get my citizenship. They aren't interested in interviewing me until I get it with a conditional or anything. Yes, 7 months and still looking for a job, but I am sticking to my guns to stay here in Charleston.
Thanks again for the information and support.
Thanks for the info. The whole dual passport and which to use going to and fro to the Uk from the US is something I have wondered about. I am lead to believe you shouldn't enter the UK on your UK passport and re-enter the US on your US passport, not sure if its actually a criminal act. But I know people who tell me they do do that. That is one part of the green card I like, enter via UK passport control and re-enter US via US passport control.
As I went for my citizenship to improve my re-employment chances in my local area which might mean getting a job requiring US security clearance, then using a British passport is a big no no. I have a few different stories about how that works, ie does the US destroy your UK passport, or hold it securely for you?
Anyway, lets get the citizenship interview done first. I am planning a trip to the UK about 2 weeks after my citizenship interview, not sure how this might play out, but I ask at the interview.
As I went for my citizenship to improve my re-employment chances in my local area which might mean getting a job requiring US security clearance, then using a British passport is a big no no. I have a few different stories about how that works, ie does the US destroy your UK passport, or hold it securely for you?
Anyway, lets get the citizenship interview done first. I am planning a trip to the UK about 2 weeks after my citizenship interview, not sure how this might play out, but I ask at the interview.
Well, job done. Monday (Nov 5th, Guy Fawkes night...) I passed my citizenship interview, in and out in 15 mins, easy. I went back yesterday (election day!) to take my oath and walked out a US citizen. I notified 2 local companies waiting on my citizenship and hey presto it looks like I will get 2 interviews. Phew.
As they take away your Green Card at the oath ceremony I will need to get my US passport to travel, otherwise I have no paperwork etc to be allowed back in!
Thanks for all your comments and support, lets just hope a job is a little closer coming now.
As they take away your Green Card at the oath ceremony I will need to get my US passport to travel, otherwise I have no paperwork etc to be allowed back in!
Thanks for all your comments and support, lets just hope a job is a little closer coming now.
As a further update to this thread I have just secured a job after 11 long months looking for something suitable....phew!
I am initially starting on contract with a company based on Long Island, NY who are starting an office in Charleston, SC (where I live). It looks like for the first 2-3 months I will be going up to work in the Long Island office or maybe in a temporary office in White Plains, NY.
The Long Island office is between Hauppauge, Holbrook and Farmingville on Long Island.
My question is, not knowing this area at all, does anyone have any first hand experience of either the Long Island area or White Plains? What can a 44 year old, single ex Brit expect for a 3 month stint? Of course it depends what your into etc, and happy to PM with anyone on this. Details are being ironed out still re office and accommodation etc.
Thanks for any input. And yes I know it will be a lot colder than South Carolina.
I am initially starting on contract with a company based on Long Island, NY who are starting an office in Charleston, SC (where I live). It looks like for the first 2-3 months I will be going up to work in the Long Island office or maybe in a temporary office in White Plains, NY.
The Long Island office is between Hauppauge, Holbrook and Farmingville on Long Island.
My question is, not knowing this area at all, does anyone have any first hand experience of either the Long Island area or White Plains? What can a 44 year old, single ex Brit expect for a 3 month stint? Of course it depends what your into etc, and happy to PM with anyone on this. Details are being ironed out still re office and accommodation etc.
Thanks for any input. And yes I know it will be a lot colder than South Carolina.
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