UFCW Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for naturalization, you will need to provide your permanent resident card (Green Card), evidence of your current marital status, tax returns for the last three years, and any documents related to previous legal names or citizenships, if applicable.

Processing times for Form N-400 can vary by region and by year. In election years, processing times are increased, such that as many new citizens as possible can be processed. During these years, processing times can be as short as three months. In non-election years, processing times can vary between six to eight months.

Yes, you can travel outside the U.S. during the naturalization process, but you must not be outside of the U.S. for a period exceeding six months as it may disrupt your continuous residence requirement.

As of April 1, 2024, the filing fee for Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, is $760 for paper filings, and $710 for online filings. If your documented household income is not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, however, you can pay a reduced fee of $380 for paper filings. The N-400 is also a form eligible for a fee waiver, if your household has an income at or below 150% the federal poverty guidelines. You can find those federal poverty guidelines here.

Preparing for the U.S. citizenship interview, also known as the naturalization interview, is a crucial step on your path to becoming a U.S. citizen. Helpful resources include:

1. USCIS Official Resources — the USCIS website offers civics test study tools, practice questions, and interview-prep guides.
2. USCIS Civics Test Mobile Apps — practice questions and quizzes for the civics portion of the interview.
3. Online Flashcards and Quizzes — sites like Quizlet host community-built flashcards for civics study.
4. English Language Learning Resources — if English is not your first language, consider Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, or community ESL classes.

Deferred action through a labor dispute can protect workers who report labor violations from immigration enforcement while a federal or state labor agency investigates. It typically comes with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) so the worker can continue earning while the case is open.

Applying brings your identity and immigration status to the attention of the federal government. Deferred action is discretionary and can be revoked. It is not a path to lawful permanent residence on its own. Anyone considering this option should speak with an immigration attorney about how it interacts with any prior or pending immigration matters.

Processing times vary by USCIS workload and by the underlying labor-agency referral. Most cases move within several months, but exact timing is not guaranteed.

Yes. Deferred action and the associated EAD are usually granted in two-year increments and can be renewed if the underlying labor dispute is still active or if the qualifying basis still applies. Renewals should be filed well before the current EAD expires.

You can check the status of most USCIS applications using your receipt number at USCIS Case Status Online. Set up a USCIS account at my.uscis.gov for updates and document delivery.

If you discover an error before USCIS adjudicates the case, you can usually correct it by mailing a signed letter or filing Form I-290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion). Significant corrections are best handled with an attorney to avoid an inconsistency-based denial or a referral to USCIS Fraud Detection.

USCIS allows expedited processing in narrow circumstances: severe financial loss to a U.S. company or person, an urgent humanitarian reason, a nonprofit U.S. cultural or social interest, U.S. government interests, or clear USCIS error. Submit the request in writing with documentation; expedites are discretionary.

USCIS will mail a denial notice explaining the reasons. Depending on the form, you may be able to file a motion to reopen or reconsider on Form I-290B, appeal to the Administrative Appeals Office, or file a new application. Some denials can put you in removal proceedings — talk to an attorney before refiling.

USCIS fees changed on April 1, 2024. Current fees by form are published at uscis.gov/g-1055. Some fee-reduced and fee-waived options are available based on household income.

Filing addresses depend on the form, your state of residence, and whether you are filing alone or with another form. Always check the "Where to File" section of each form's page on uscis.gov/forms before mailing.

You must notify USCIS of an address change within 10 days using Form AR-11 online at uscis.gov/ar-11 and also update the address on each pending case. Missing this step can mean missing a critical notice.

USCIS publishes posted processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. Use the form type, the service center handling your case (printed on your receipt), and the category to find an estimate.

You can submit an e-Request "Case Outside Normal Processing Time" inquiry. If you have a humanitarian emergency, contact the USCIS Ombudsman or request congressional assistance through your U.S. Senator or Representative.

For typographical errors on a notice or document, file Form I-694 or follow the instructions in the notice. For missing mail, call USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 to verify the mailing address on file and request a duplicate notice.