time outside the US

[ma2moiselle 0]

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding my time spent outside the US. I'll be eligible to file the N400 at the end of this month, it's now been 5 years since I've received my green card (june 2004). However, last year, I studied abroad to France with my university program, and the trip lasted 8 months total! I really really want to apply for citizenship now, but i'm worried that my application might get rejected because I was out of the US for longer than 6 months. The guide states that I can still be eligible if I can provide enough documents proving that I did not abandon my residency such as tax transcript for the last 5 years and pay stubs.... Are tax return forms allright as well?

Also, do you think those documents would be enough to prove that I did not abandon my residency while abroad? Should I send in more proof? Like a letter stating why I was out of the US for so long? Or should I keep that for the day of the interview?

Sorry, so many questions!!

Thanks so much in advance!!

Marina

[WROCLAW 0]

wow, you have alot to consider. I'm sure it will work in your best interest. The tax return forms should suffice. quite the conundrum!

[Zen Den 18]

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding my time spent outside the US. I'll be eligible to file the N400 at the end of this month, it's now been 5 years since I've received my green card (june 2004). However, last year, I studied abroad to France with my university program, and the trip lasted 8 months total! I really really want to apply for citizenship now, but i'm worried that my application might get rejected because I was out of the US for longer than 6 months. The guide states that I can still be eligible if I can provide enough documents proving that I did not abandon my residency such as tax transcript for the last 5 years and pay stubs.... Are tax return forms allright as well?

Also, do you think those documents would be enough to prove that I did not abandon my residency while abroad? Should I send in more proof? Like a letter stating why I was out of the US for so long? Or should I keep that for the day of the interview?

Sorry, so many questions!!

Thanks so much in advance!!

Marina

i'm not yet in your stage but i happened to read about that in the "welcome" document...says there that if your 5-yr stay is not continuous (broken because of your 6-month stay abroad) that you should have at least been in the US for 30 months total within the last 5 yrs prior to application...so add all the days/months you were in the US and subtract all the days/months you were out. good luck!

[ma2moiselle 0]

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding my time spent outside the US. I'll be eligible to file the N400 at the end of this month, it's now been 5 years since I've received my green card (june 2004). However, last year, I studied abroad to France with my university program, and the trip lasted 8 months total! I really really want to apply for citizenship now, but i'm worried that my application might get rejected because I was out of the US for longer than 6 months. The guide states that I can still be eligible if I can provide enough documents proving that I did not abandon my residency such as tax transcript for the last 5 years and pay stubs.... Are tax return forms allright as well?

Also, do you think those documents would be enough to prove that I did not abandon my residency while abroad? Should I send in more proof? Like a letter stating why I was out of the US for so long? Or should I keep that for the day of the interview?

Sorry, so many questions!!

Thanks so much in advance!!

Marina

i'm not yet in your stage but i happened to read about that in the "welcome" document...says there that if your 5-yr stay is not continuous (broken because of your 6-month stay abroad) that you should have at least been in the US for 30 months total within the last 5 yrs prior to application...so add all the days/months you were in the US and subtract all the days/months you were out. good luck!

Okay thank you!! I have been in the US for at least 3 years (if i count all the months). I guess I should be allright then!

[Mrs_S 0]

I would recommend sending them as much information ahead of time as possible, and taking those same documents to the interview, rather than saving the documents for the interview alone.

If you can get a letter from your university, stating that you continued to be an enrolled student while you were abroad, that helps your case as it proves ties to the US during that time.

Good luck!