I am an Indian, I applied for I 526 back in 2015 and was approved in 2018. I then applied for I-829 in February 2020 and submitted biometrics in June due to Covid delays. My 1 1/2 year extension of green card expired and I reapplied for a 1 year extension in October 2021. I am planning to apply for N-400 in May 2023 which would be 5 years since I received the conditional green card. When can I expect a decision on my I 829 application? Can I apply for N-400 without a decision on my I-829?
Processing Times (uscis.gov) 39-72 months. I know they will accept the N-400 when an I-751 is pending. I do not know if they will accept this with a pending I-829 as that is adjudicated by a different office than the one adjudicating the N-400.
Generally speaking, yes. However, talk to your attorney as filing N-400 will force adjudication of I-829 (you need to be sure it is approvable).
Assuming you meet all naturalization requirements, you may file your N-400 with a copy of I-829 receipt but N-400 will not be decided until your I-829 is approved. Filing of N-400 may potentially have USCIS consolidate your N-400 and I-829 and move your I-829 processing along. Unfortunately, I-829 processing times are very long currently. Hire an experienced immigration attorney to handle your case.
My understanding is that yes, you can, but it may be held until there is a decision on the I-829, which is looking at several years for processing.
You can apply to naturalize but as a practical matter USCIS will not approve your naturalization application until the I-829 is adjudicated. Unfortunately, the I-829 processing has become absurdly long with many cases taking 3-4 or more years. In some instances, the N-400 filing has actually helped speed up the I-829 adjudication but sadly, in most cases, the applicant has to file a mandamus action to get timely adjudication.
