Twice permanent resident

[claireg 0]

I have been married for 16 years to a US citizen. I have been continuous permanent resident for 10 years (1995 to 2005), then we left to live in Mexico (2005 to 2010) but returned frequently to the US. Now we are again living in the US and so I became again a continuous permanent resident. Can I qualify for the naturalization process considering my presence in the US from 1995 to 2005 as a permanent resident? Or does it have to be IMMEDIATELY before my application? (which is not really explicitly said anywhere)

Thanks for your input!

[v333k 59]

Unfortunately - they only count the last 5 years. Do you know if you violated your physical presence or continuous residence?

You may need to wait another year or so then apply based on the 3 year rule.

[bigdog 376]

I think you can qualify on the three year rule, more time to wait.

[claireg 0]

Thanks. On the USCIS website it is said:

"Resided continuously in the U.S. for three years in the case of qualified spouses of U.S. citizens"

It doesn't say the LAST 3 years, I cannot find the reference to this. Do you have a link?

Unfortunately - they only count the last 5 years. Do you know if you violated your physical presence or continuous residence?

You may need to wait another year or so then apply based on the 3 year rule.

[v333k 59]

Checkout this naturalization guide - should be of help:

Page 23 has an example of someone similar to your situation

Page 53 (Eligibility worksheet) clearly states the "last 5 years" and the "last 3 years"

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

[claireg 0]

Thank you so much for your input! I guess I will have to wait a little bit longer...

[v333k 59]

You're welcome. Try to find out when you traveled last and then see if you can figure out how far back you can go before it breaks your continuous residence and/or physical presence. Since you traveled back and forth, you may be eligible sooner than you think. However, make sure first before you mail in your application. Worst case scenario is USCIS will not check for it until your interview time which then they will tell you that you are ineligible and lose all that time and the $680. When you re-apply, you will have to go through the process again... I hate to hear you have gone through that.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your input! I guess I will have to wait a little bit longer...

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

All you need to do is look at the front of your Green Card where it says: RESIDENT SINCE xx/xx/xxx.

That's when you became a resident. As early as three years after that date you are/were eligible to become a U.S. citizen.