3 years countdown

[timelena 0]

8.1)...When can I apply for United States citizenship?

A...As a spouse of a US Citizen, you can apply for citizenship 3 (three) years after approval of your Adjustment of Status. Back at the AOS interview, your passport was stamped with the I-551 stamp and a date. The 3 year countdown begins with that date. This 3 year period does not include long absences from the United States.

I read this but still don't understand

At my AOS interview they did not stamp my passport because my security check had not been complete. In this situation, will the countdown begin with my AOS date, or the date when my security check is complete? (and who knows when it happens!)

Please share your experience

Thanks!

[meauxna 15]

8.1)...When can I apply for United States citizenship?

A...As a spouse of a US Citizen, you can apply for citizenship 3 (three) years after approval of your Adjustment of Status. Back at the AOS interview, your passport was stamped with the I-551 stamp and a date. The 3 year countdown begins with that date. This 3 year period does not include long absences from the United States.

I read this but still don't understand

At my AOS interview they did not stamp my passport because my security check had not been complete. In this situation, will the countdown begin with my AOS date, or the date when my security check is complete? (and who knows when it happens!)

Please share your experience

Thanks!

You are not yet a Permanent Resident. You will be one when your checks are back and your case is completed. You will know when this happens because you will (hopefully) receive your Green Card in the mail.

The Green Card will have a date on it after "Resident Since" and that is your magic PR date.

Try reading the pinned thread at the top of this forum--it has better info than the FAQ you quoted. When the FAQ was written, things were different....

[timelena 0]

Thank you, meauxna!

Even if it's not the answer I would like to hear.

I'd better ask what date they will print on my Green Card - the date of the interview, or the date when my security check is complete?

Edited July 6, 2006 by timelena

[meauxna 15]

Thank you, meauxna!

Even if it's not the answer I would like to hear.

I'd better ask what date they will print on my Green Card - the date of the interview, or the date when my security check is complete?

hi timelena... sorry it wasn't the news you want.... you can always start studying now!

The date on your Green Card will be the date you are granted Permanent Residence. It probably will not be your interview date, and it might not be the date your checks clear, but the date the officer on your case puts everything together and marks you 'approved'.

In other words, there is no way of knowing ahead of time. My crystal ball says it will be just about 3 years from now when you can apply, give or take a month or three.

[Yodrak 7]

timelena,

It will begin with your AOS date - the date that your adjustment is approved - which in your case will be neither the interview date nor the date that the security check has been completed. You'll know when it happens because you'll get communication from the USCIS and the date will be on your green card.

Yodrak

[Edit: sorry to repeat, should have read meauxna's responses first.]

8.1)...When can I apply for United States citizenship?

A...As a spouse of a US Citizen, you can apply for citizenship 3 (three) years after approval of your Adjustment of Status. Back at the AOS interview, your passport was stamped with the I-551 stamp and a date. The 3 year countdown begins with that date. This 3 year period does not include long absences from the United States.

I read this but still don't understand

At my AOS interview they did not stamp my passport because my security check had not been complete. In this situation, will the countdown begin with my AOS date, or the date when my security check is complete? (and who knows when it happens!)

Please share your experience

Thanks!

Edited July 7, 2006 by Yodrak

[Kajikit 65]

When your greencard comes back it will have an approval date printed on it - THAT is the date that you need to count up from to get to when you can lift conditions and eventually claim citizenship. It's not necessarily the date of your interview, but it should be close.

[timelena 0]

Thanks to everyone!