Citizenship question - Please advise.

[wildcard011 0]

Hi

I have a question about applying for my citizenship and would appreciate it if the experienced members here can point me in the right direction.

Here are the details

1) I've had my GC for close to 6 years now so I'm eligible.

2) I got my GC through my employer; however I worked for my employer for close to 3 months and then left the same month I got my GC interview approved since I was offered a better job with a much better pay.

3) I got married in 2005, my spouse got her citizenship in 2007 and we've been married since and have two kids both of which are US citizens.

So in this case I have two paths

1) Apply for citizenship based on my completion of 5 years of having a GC.

2) Apply based on being married to a US citizen for 3 years.

I'm a little bit reluctant to go with #1, since I fear that I left my sponsor too early and if that could cause issues during the interview process. #2 seems like a safe way to proceed.

Can someone please advise, after completing the 5 year tenure does it even matter what I put in my application.

Regards

[v333k 59]

Hi

I have a question about applying for my citizenship and would appreciate it if the experienced members here can point me in the right direction.

Here are the details

1) I've had my GC for close to 6 years now so I'm eligible.

2) I got my GC through my employer; however I worked for my employer for close to 3 months and then left the same month I got my GC interview approved since I was offered a better job with a much better pay.

3) I got married in 2005, my spouse got her citizenship in 2007 and we've been married since and have two kids both of which are US citizens.

So in this case I have two paths

1) Apply for citizenship based on my completion of 5 years of having a GC.

2) Apply based on being married to a US citizen for 3 years.

I'm a little bit reluctant to go with #1, since I fear that I left my sponsor too early and if that could cause issues during the interview process. #2 seems like a safe way to proceed.

Can someone please advise, after completing the 5 year tenure does it even matter what I put in my application.

Regards

If you qualify under the 5 year rule, then USCIS will not accept your application based on 3 years. The reason is the 3 year rule requires more work on their end and they do not want to do the unnecessary extra work.

I am not sure about the employer changing aspect of it, but I think at this point all they care about is if you meet the minimum requirements for naturalization.

I'll let someone else confirm that though!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If you are a Green Card holder for less than 5 years, you are applying based on marriage.

If you are a Green Card holder for 5 years or more, you are applying based on residency.

[ELW 5]

If you are a Green Card holder for less than 5 years, you are applying based on marriage.

If you are a Green Card holder for 5 years or more, you are applying based on residency.

At this point, they don't care about the details of your green card, just that you have one and have been a resident for five years. You need to apply based on five years residency.

[bonnerbonner 6]

All you have to do is list your place of employment for the last 5 years... Thats all they need to know. Things happen!!! They dont care whether you are still employed with the same company or not.

[wildcard011 0]

All you have to do is list your place of employment for the last 5 years... Thats all they need to know. Things happen!!! They dont care whether you are still employed with the same company or not.

Ok.. thanks everyone for the responses.

One more questions. If I file for citizenship now, am I allowed to leave the country before my interview. I need to take a trip to Canada to see my inlaws in March and am contemplating if I should wait until I come back and apply.

[NickD 202]

Ok.. thanks everyone for the responses.

One more questions. If I file for citizenship now, am I allowed to leave the country before my interview. I need to take a trip to Canada to see my inlaws in March and am contemplating if I should wait until I come back and apply.

If you had your green card for 6 years now, subtracting two years for the conditional, another year for that extension, should be good for another seven years, so what is the rush? Really have wonderful in-laws, but a week is more than enough to spend with them. You have to decide on your priories, next major election is two years away, maybe you want to work for the government.

[JA Tam 7]

There's no problem for you to take a trip while you wait for the interview. You would just let them know at the interview of any trips you have taken since the application was filed. In any case, you may get your citizenship before the March trip judging by how quickly most are getting through with their applications.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

There is no travel restriction for N-400 applicants. You can travel before, during, and after every step of the journey. Just make sure you are available for biometrics, interview, and ceremony.