A Guide Through The US Citizenship Interview

Congratulations on being invited to the US citizenship interview. You are on your way to becoming a US citizen! You might be feeling excitement, nerves, or a bit of both. Don’t stress, it is normal.

Do you feel nervous about the test and interview? You shouldn’t. Over 7.5 million people have become US citizens in the last 10 years. But many people could be citizens but don’t because they are scared of the citizenship test and interview.

You can nail it. Over 96 percent of people pass the test. There are loads of resources to help you prepare for both the interview and the test. When you know what is coming and do some prep work, you can become a US citizen.

This post will review how to prepare for the citizenship interview, what to expect, and some tips for making a good impression. By sticking to these tips, you can enter the interview feeling confident and boost your chances of success.

Brief info on the US citizenship interview

The US citizenship interview is the last big hurdle for folks who have filled out form N-400 to become US citizens. At the end of the N-400 process, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will notify you about your interview. If all goes well, you will probably find out if you are getting US citizenship by the time you are done.

The USCIS officer will conduct your interview in a private office or small room. They will kick things off by asking you to raise your right hand and swear to tell the truth. If you are ready and have your stuff together, the rest of the interview should be a breeze.

What to expect in a citizenship interview?

The interview is led by a USCIS officer who checks if you are eligible and covers a few important parts. First, the officer will review your N-400 form, ensuring the info matches up and asking more questions to double-check everything is correct and current.

Then, you will have to take an English language test. It has reading, writing, and speaking parts to see how well you can do in English. Also, you will have to take a civics test. It is about US history and how the government works to see how much you know. Lastly, the officer will ask about your background, life story, and why you want to become a US citizen.

• Form N-400 review.

Part of the interview is reviewing your Form N-400 and Application for Naturalization. The USCIS officer will ask you a bunch of questions about your application and the documents you have provided. They are not just checking the information you provide; they are also making sure you can understand and respond in simple English.

So, make sure to spend enough time reviewing your application and answers before you go to the interview. It has been a while since you sent your application, and it is easy to forget some details. Get to know your answers well so you feel comfortable answering. Also, keep track of events that might have changed your answers in the N-400 application.

• Consider possible updates to your application.

At the start of your citizenship interview, the USCIS officer might inquire about any updates needed in your N-400 application. Be ready to respond. Typically, minor adjustments to your N-400 application are acceptable. Changes in your life circumstances can influence your responses.

Events like starting a new job, having a new child, or going abroad are common occurrences requiring updates in your application. You will need to update the application with the USCIS officer and provide any necessary documents. For instance, if you have been away from the US for a trip, bring a detailed itinerary and other details related to the trip that the N-400 asks for.

Understanding how these updates might or might not impact your eligibility to become a US citizen is crucial. If these updates affect your eligibility, consult an immigration lawyer before your citizenship interview. For example, ensure your trip abroad didn’t interrupt your continuous residence or physical presence requirements.

Changes that could impact your eligibility to naturalize include but are not limited to:

• Getting a recent divorce or separation and applying after three years of marriage to the US citizen spouse.
• Being arrested or any event that might alter your responses to the “No” answers in Part 12 of Form N-400.
• Being away from the US for six months or more.

If any of these situations apply, contact an immigration lawyer before your citizenship interview.

• English test.

In your citizenship interview, the USCIS official will assess your proficiency in English (unless you qualify for an exemption from the English language requirements). The official will evaluate your English skills through the following methods:

• Speaking: Your English-speaking skills will be judged based on your responses to typical questions from USCIS officials during the citizenship eligibility interview on form N-400.
• Reading: To assess your reading in English, you will need to read one sentence among three in a way that indicates to the USCIS official you comprehend the sentence’s meaning.
• Writing: Your writing skills will be tested by having you write one sentence, among three, in a way that the USCIS official can understand it as written.

Remember, your ability to speak English will be considered when the USCIS official greets you. They will observe how well you can follow basic instructions and answer questions. If you are unsure about a question, asking the official to clarify it is perfectly fine.

Attempting to guess the answer could make things more complicated. Instead, request the official to rephrase the question using different words. The USCIS official will also read a sentence and ask you to transcribe it in English. Prepare for this part of the interview by reviewing the vocabulary word list.

• Civic test.

The officer will also administer a US history/civics exam in English to assess your understanding of US history and its governmental structure. Even if you are exempt from the English exam, you are required to complete the civics exam in your preferred language or demonstrate a valid reason for exemption.

The civics exam consists of 100 questions. During the citizenship interview, the officer may ask up to 10 questions from this list in English. To pass the US civics test, you need to answer at least six of these questions correctly. Nonetheless, the citizenship interview will be paused if you fail to answer six questions correctly.

USCIS will schedule a new appointment for you to retake the test on a different date (within the next 90 days).

• USCIS decision.

By the time you finish the citizenship interview, you will probably get a pretty good idea if you will be taking the oath ceremony. If you nail the interview, the USCIS officer will probably say they are okay with your application. They might even give you a form with details about your ceremony.

Sometimes, the USCIS officer can’t decide after the interview. They might need approval from a superior officer or more proof you didn’t have at the interview. If USCIS says no to your application, they will tell you why. You can try to appeal or start the whole thing with a new N-400.

Before you do that, make sure you know why you were denied so you won’t make the same mistake again.

Preparation for the Citizenship Interview

Before the interview:

Getting ready is key to nailing your citizenship interview. Here is what you need to do:

• Go over your application: Make sure you have checked your application carefully to ensure everything is correct and current. You will need to be ready to discuss it during the interview.
• Work on English and Civics: Spend some time getting better at English and learning about the US government. There are loads of help, like USCIS study guides and online classes.
• Collect what you need: Make sure you have all the important papers, like your green card, passport, and anything else you need. Sort these ahead of time to avoid any last-minute panic.
• Dress nice: First impressions count. Wear nice, professional clothes to show you are serious and respectful.
• Get there early: Arrive at the interview place early so you have time to find the right office. Being on time shows you are responsible.

During the interview:

In the citizenship interview, you will be asked about your N-400 form, background, and why you want to become a US citizen. Here are some tips to help you get through the interview:

• Stay chill and sure of yourself: Take a few deep breaths to stay calm. Being confident will help you answer questions clearly and truthfully.
• Listen up: Ensure you are listening to what the USCIS officer asks. If you don’t get a question, ask them to explain it again.
• Be honest: Always tell the truth. Lying could result in your application being denied and you getting into legal trouble.
• Show you know your stuff: Prove you understand US civics and can speak, read, and write in English. This is your chance to show you are ready and serious about becoming a US citizen.

Things to avoid

Steering clear of typical slip-ups can boost your odds of doing well in the citizenship interview. Here are some traps to watch out for and how to dodge them:

• Not being ready: Skipping over your application and not hitting the books can cause mistakes and mix-ups. Getting ready is super important.
• Missing stuff: Ensure you have all the needed documents in order. It could slow things down if you are missing or have incomplete paperwork.
• Feeling nervous: Try some ways to chill out to handle the stress. Being too nervous can mess with how well you talk.
• Not being honest: Always tell the truth. Being untruthful could land you in trouble, even getting your application denied.
• Being too sure of yourself: It is good to be confident, but being too sure you are ready without actually being prepared can backfire. Keep that confidence in check with solid preparation.

By remembering these common slip-ups, you can walk into your interview feeling confident and on point.

Unique cases

If you have been through domestic violence, there is help out there. Our immigration lawyers can help you figure out how to apply for VAWA immigration or a U-Visa, which can give you legal protection and a shot at a safer life. You deserve to feel safe and in control, and we are here to support you in finding that peace.

Whether you are dealing with special situations or want to ensure your path to citizenship goes smoothly, we have you covered. We will examine your situation and walk you through everything you need to do. We will also point you toward the help you need to confidently move forward toward becoming a US citizen.

You are not going through this alone. Together, we can help you make your dream of becoming a US citizen come true.

Get help!

At Gehi and Associates, we have helped many people become US citizens. With years of experience, we know what you are up against. We are not just your go-to immigration lawyers. We are here to help you make your American dream a reality.

Kick off your journey to becoming a US citizen with less stress and more confidence. Book your meeting with us today. We will show you how to get to your rightful spot as a US citizen.