Travel Plans After Your Naturalization Interview: What You Need To Know

It is possible to travel after filing a naturalization application, but there are some restrictions. If you're waiting for a biometrics appointment, your trip cannot last longer than 180 days. It's also important to keep track of your naturalization interview appointments. If you must travel for a long period during the naturalization process, ask a trusted friend or family member to open any mail from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once you become a naturalized citizen and obtain a passport, there are no travel restrictions.

Travel outside the US after filing Form N-400

It is possible to travel outside the US after filing Form N-400, but only for short periods of time. If you must travel for a long period, ask a trusted friend or family member to open any mail that arrives from USCIS.

USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment to take your fingerprints within a few weeks of filing the naturalization application. You must be available for this appointment and the interview. Failure to appear for the interview will likely result in a denial.

If you need to travel during this period, a citizenship application attorney can advise you on what to do.

You will need to get a US passport to travel internationally once you become a naturalized US citizen.

Travel without a green card

It is possible to travel after filing your naturalization application, but your trip cannot last longer than 180 days. After filing Form N-400, you can travel outside the US for short periods of time, as long as you keep track of your appointments. If you need to travel for a long period, ask a trusted friend or family member to open any mail that arrives from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Once you become a naturalized US citizen and obtain a US passport, there are no travel restrictions regarding how long you are out of the country. However, USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment to take your fingerprints within a few weeks of filing your naturalization application, and you must be available for this and your interview. Failure to appear for this interview will likely result in a denial of your application.

Some CIS offices have an oath ceremony right after the interview, on the same day. If this is the case for you, and you cannot postpone the oath, you will have a problem travelling because you won't yet have a US passport.

Biometrics appointments

It is possible to travel after filing your naturalization application, but your trip cannot last longer than 180 days. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will schedule a biometrics appointment to take your fingerprints within a few weeks of filing the naturalisation application. You must be available for this appointment and the interview. If you fail to appear for the interview, your application will likely be denied.

If you must travel during the naturalisation process, it is recommended that you have a trusted friend or family member open any mail that arrives from USCIS. You will need to get a US passport to travel internationally. Some CIS offices have an oath ceremony right after the interview, on the same day. If this is the case for you, and you cannot postpone the oath, you will have a problem travelling because you won't yet have a US passport.

Naturalization interview

It is possible to travel after filing your naturalization application, but your trip cannot last longer than 180 days. After filing your U.S. naturalization application, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will schedule a biometrics appointment to take your fingerprints. You must be available for this appointment and the interview. If you fail to appear for the interview, your application will likely be denied.

Travel outside the U.S. after filing Form N-400 for short periods of time is usually not a problem if you keep track of your appointments. If you must travel during the naturalization process for a long period, have a trusted friend or family member open any mail that arrives from USCIS.

Some CIS offices have an oath ceremony right after the interview, on the same day. You should find out if this will happen for you. If it does, and you cannot postpone the oath, you would have a problem travelling because you won't yet have a U.S. passport. You will need a U.S. passport to travel internationally.

Oath ceremony

It is possible to travel after filing your naturalization application, but your trip cannot last longer than 180 days. However, if you are required to attend a biometrics appointment to take your fingerprints, you must be available for this.

Some CIS offices have an oath ceremony right after the interview, on the same day. If this is the case for you, and you cannot postpone the oath, you will not yet have a US passport and so will not be able to travel internationally.

If you must travel during the naturalization process for a long period, have a trusted friend or family member open any mail that arrives from USCIS.

Frequently asked questions