traveled to Canada

[techshour 0]

Hi,

I have traveled ten times to Canada, eight of them was for few hours and came back in the same day, two times I stayed for two days every single trip.

my question is Do I have to report all my ten trips on N-400 form or just the two trips that I stayed more than 24 hours in Canada?

[carton025 38]

Yes, it is just my opinion, you should report everytime you left the US - in other words all 10 times. Honesty is the best policy.

[girimurthy 5]

check the instructions on how to fill N400 part 7. For counting the number of trips and days outside US you do not have to count the ones less than 24 hours trips. But you need to specify all the trips though in the detail.

[NickD 202]

You mean like if you live on a farm in northern Minnesota and the only place you can shop to buy groceries or gas is in Thunder Bay, Canada you have to report each trip? Or in northern Michigan for the same thing in Sault St, Marie, Canada, Or in Buffalo, NY and the only place you can find a job is across that short bridge at Mac's in Canada, this goes on an on.

If you had to report every trip under 24 hours, would have a list over a mile long! Then I think of the many American companies that built plants in China, like where one of my son works. Is forced to make monthly trips to China. Over a three year period that would be a list of 36 trips! And all these are over 24 hours!

Can they really count these against your residency requirements? We didn't chose this global economy, our government did.

[techshour 0]

okay, now I am more confuse!!

Do I have to report it or not?

[girimurthy 5]

okay, now I am more confuse!!

Do I have to report it or not?

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/n-400instr.pdf

Go to the instructions in the above link. Go to part 7. It clearly states that you do not have to count the number of trips less than 24 hours for the total number of days outside US or count to the total number of trips. But when it comes to mention the trips it does not explicitly says that you need to omit trips less than 24 hours.

[NickD 202]

We certainly didn't report our two hour stay in Sault Ste, Marie, Canada, just cross the bridge on I-75, Canadians were more concerned whether we picked up a flower on the south side of border, and did we have pet. Coming back, just flashed our passports, wife with her green card, no I-94's, no records, and without any inspection was asked if we had any firearms, alcohol, or something else I forgot. Just said no and was waved on.

Instructions clearly state don't have to if under 24 hours and the key part of this section is to make sure you met the residency requirements. Like staying out of the country for over a year.

During our AOS interview, had the brains to ask, what is next, was told her card is conditional and should apply for the I-751 exactly 90 days, and after that is for US citizenship, the N-400. Wrote those down and downloaded the forms and instructions commenting we have a lot of bookkeeping to do.

When we did make trips over 24 hours, recorded those in that N-400 immediately. Something about telling lies on these forms and your loved one can be deported. But when the time finally came, downloaded the latest version of the N-400 and did a copy and paste operation. This is something you want to do.

IO did question why she put down 409 days out of the country in the last five years. Because that is what the question asked and that is precisely the number of days she was out of the country at the precise date on her application. That included the days before she came here, and the trips she took after becoming an LPR. IO said only wanted the days she was out of the country after becoming an LPR. Wife responded, then why didn't that ask that? No response, moved on.

How accurate is your watch? If you stayed out 23:59 hours, don't have to report it, exactly 24:00, shouldn't have to either, 24:00:01, you do.

[girimurthy 5]

I do not agree with the above but I am might be wrong.

See the instructions as given in uscis website

A. Write the total number of days you spent outside of the United States (including military service) during the last five years. Count the days of every trip that lasted 24 hours or longer.

B. Write the number of trips you have taken outside the United States during the last five years. Count every trip that lasted 24 hours or longer.

C. Provide the requested information for every trip that you have taken outside the United States since you became a lawful permanent resident. Begin with your most recent trip

See for how for A and B he clearly states exclude trips less that 24 hours but for C he did not mention it. Which to me means I need to write all trips less than 24 hours for question C.

[DC85 113]

for part C in the form , it cleary states the trips more than 24 hrs. so , I won't worry about them. you can tell the officer during the interview, and if he requeires all of them , be prepared to have them listed in extra sheet.

[techshour 0]

I am going to report it ALL in my N-400 form.

thank you guys.