How early to apply For N-400?

[wil 0]

Hi, I was reading the previous postings regarding when to apply for N-400.

I will be applying for N-400 based on 3 years marriage to my spouse who is US citizen. My 2-year GC's issue date was 04.26.06. The 10-year GC is on the way but has not been received yet.

I think i can apply N-400 by 01.26.09. Is this correct? However i travelled out of USA 3 times for total 73 days during those 3 years. Do i have to subtract those 73 days before applying for N-400? In another word, i have to wait until the end of March to apply.

Anyone who has an idea about this?

Thank you,

Wil

[Dakine 26]

Hi, I was reading the previous postings regarding when to apply for N-400.

I will be applying for N-400 based on 3 years marriage to my spouse who is US citizen. My 2-year GC's issue date was 04.26.06. The 10-year GC is on the way but has not been received yet.

I think i can apply N-400 by 01.26.09. Is this correct? However i travelled out of USA 3 times for total 73 days during those 3 years. Do i have to subtract those 73 days before applying for N-400? In another word, i have to wait until the end of March to apply.

Anyone who has an idea about this?

Thank you,

Wil

As long as any of the days wasn't within 3 months of filing there is no problem. The 73 days don't come into play in any other way!

Actual physical residence (within the state in which the petition is filed) during at least the three months immediately before filing for naturalization is another requirement.

Physical presence within the U.S. for a total of at least one half of the period of required continuous residence. That is, two and a half years for most applicants and one and a half years for spouses of U.S. Citizens.

[NickD 203]

01.26.09 may be a couple of days early, just count back 90 days, you don't have to deduct the days you were out of the country, but there is a maximum number of days limit that you cannot exceed. Ha, don't even recall that now, but it's all in the M-476 manual, can be downloaded from the USCIS site along with other learning materials.

[eltemp 2]

According to what I've read from the manual-guide to naturalization you can apply 90 days before you fulfill the time required... for instance you need to be a PR for 3 years(assuming is 12/12/09)... well you can apply 3 years minus 90 days before that date....and you need to have been living in the city you are filling from at least 3 months before applying.... also... you need to have had trips shorter than 6 months (continously) meaning: you never spent more than 180 days outside the US on a single trip. But that does not mean you cannot travel for X number of days within that period... as long as the majority of the time you have spent it inside the US.... in the event that you had a trip that lasted more than 180 days or 6 months you need to explain the circumstances and attach that with your permission to re=entry which you have gotten before re-entering the country after spending that period of time outside the US.... you can read this information along as other very important from this link:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf "Guide to Naturalization"

there it will tell you all you need to know... if you still have questions.. you can always call the costumer service phone number located on the www.uscis.gov I have called them several times and they have ALWAYS given me good information. I hope this helps... good luck!