Form N-400: Total days spent outside the U.S.

[Vinay 1]

in the form N-400, Part 7. A

How many total days did you spend outside of the United States during the past five years

My wife came to the U.S. on March 10, 2006. Since then we took 5 trips outside the U.S. The total days for these five trips spent outside the U.S is 171 days. Do I also have to count the days outside the U.S. before March 10, 2006??

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It is all of the trips outside of the US since she became a permanent resident or the last 5 years (3 years if applying through marriage to a US citizen), so you don't need to include any trips prior to her getting her green card. You can cross out the 5 and write in 3 if you like - that is what we did.

[jsnearline 2]

My wife included all days outside the US, including her time in the RP before coming here. At her interview, the officer asked her about it. She explained it and he made a notation on the application but didn't cross out the answer we had put on it. So, I think as long as you make it clear what it is you're answering, you should be fine.