Bernard P Wolfsdorf
Immigration AttorneyUSCIS may interview you but they do not approve naturalization applications until the I-829 is approved.
I have a pending EB-5 I-829. Six months ago, I applied for an N-400 as I have already lived in the USA for five years. Recently, my N-400 status was changed into "interview is scheduled." How is this possible? What should I expect?
USCIS may interview you but they do not approve naturalization applications until the I-829 is approved.
USCIS will adjudicate your I-829 before they can naturalize you if you pass the N-400 interview. They may schedule you for an oath ceremony separately.
Typically with an I-751 and naturalization, they handle both interviews at the same time, so be prepared for both - not sure if the local office has the expertise to do this with an I-829. They cannot adjudicate the N-400 until the I-829 is approved.
When you go to the interview, the officer will do the naturalization process with you; review N-400 application, give you the test, and if you pass, he or she will hold off on the approval until the I-829 is approved. He or she might check with Service Center to find out how long the process will take.
This is the proper procedure. Assuming you pass the interview, the officer will tell you they cannot adjudicate the N-400 until I-829 has been adjudicated. Then you need to solve the I-829 adjudication.