Naturalization: from N-400 to the oath
The citizenship application has the most predictable sequence of any USCIS form. Know the five stops.
Eligibility snapshot
Five years as a permanent resident (three if married to a US citizen), physical presence for half of that period, continuous residence, good moral character, and basic English and civics unless exempt.
The sequence
1. Receipt — usually within days for online filing. 2. Biometrics — often reused from your green card application; the status may skip straight ahead. 3. Interview scheduled — the step with the widest variation between field offices. This is where your Visaline cohort (same field office, same filing month) tells you more than any national average. 4. Interview — English test, civics test, review of your application. Many offices approve on the spot. 5. Oath ceremony — same-day in some offices, several weeks later in others. You become a citizen when you take the oath, not when the N-400 is approved.Tip from the community
Bring updated travel records to the interview. The most common reason for a continued case is a trip the officer could not match to the application.This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney.