leaving the country

[JoeCanuk 3]

Hi. I was wondering if we are allowed to leave the country after sending in our application for citizenship? I'm wondering about this because you have to list the times when you were outside of the U.S. on your application. Are we allowed to leave?

[bradcanuck 1]

Of course you can leave. During the interview you just give your latest trip info. They append it to your application, marking it with red pen. It doesn't affect anything. (unless you went to Cuba of course)

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Ditto - I have a week long trip to Canada in early April coming up....citizenship app is in progress. I'll let them know I took a well deserved vacation when I go to my interview

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yes, you can leave. You will update your information when you go for your interview. Bring along your proof documentation (tickets, passport, etc.) although they will probably not look at it.

You can even travel between when you have your interview and your oath ceremony. When you go for your oath ceremony you will be asked specifically if any of the information has changed since your interview - eg, are you still married, have you left the US during that time, etc. You will update your information for their files/records and unless your time out of the country is so close to the edge of qualifications that the additional time will put you over and you no longer meet the minimum standards for physical presence, then there is no problem.

With your oath cerfemony letter you will receive a series of questions asking about changes since the interview. At the oath ceremony before the event, you will be asked individually to verify the answers given on this sheet (it's on the back of the oath letter) that allows you to update this information. It wouldn't hurt to bring along your passport or proof of travel, just in case, but for the most part they seem to accept just the written statement (at least at my ceremony).

Edited March 19, 2011 by Kathryn41