Is this a joke?

[Alex. 2]

On the citizenship form N400 they want me to list all of my trips outside of the US in the last 5 years. How am I supposed to remember, above all, these dates?

[jeangab75 0]

You passport will help you (customs stamps) but yes you are supposed to mention them.

[TayRivers 4]

On the citizenship form N400 they want me to list all of my trips outside of the US in the last 5 years. How am I supposed to remember, above all, these dates?

Check your passport for dates... and remember USCIS know exactly what dates you left the country and returned.

[jsnearline 2]

I suppose it could come as a surprise if you weren't aware of that requirement adn hadn't kept adequate records.

Some countries, Canada for one, don't always stamp passports on entry and exit, so I wouldn't rely just on the stamps in your passport.

[Minya's wife 25]

On the citizenship form N400 they want me to list all of my trips outside of the US in the last 5 years. How am I supposed to remember, above all, these dates?

You must be some jet-setter. I can list all 3 trips I've taken outside the US in the past 5 years.

You should have entry/exit stamps in your passport from places you've been to.

[jsnearline 2]

I wonder if you can request Customs and Border Protection to look up the information they have for you...

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The requirement is to ensure that you meet the residency requirements of having the proper number of days inside the US instead of visiting for long periods of time outside of the US and therefore not qualifying. Do the best you can to recall your dates of travel.

[antda 13]

Hi Alex,

Likewise, I have a similar situation, as I cross over the US-Canada border often, as I'm a Canadian citizen, live close to there (about 1-2 hrs away), and I have family and friends that I visit in Canada too. There are some trips that I don't remember the exact date either (lol...unless I look them up on my own somewhat inaccurate records...which reminds me....I have to find those past calendars soon...).

I haven't filed for the N-400 yet (but I will file in August), but for those "undocumented trips" (I have no passport stamps in my Canadian passport either, nor do I have any proof from the border officials that I have crossed the border otherwise), where I don't remember the exact dates, so this is what I will do, for the 10-20 trips I've taken over the last 3 years since permanent residency:

-Write down an estimate, recalling to the best of one's ability...For example, "June 2009, a trip less than 24 hours" or "July 2009, a trip lasting 1-2 days" or "July 2009, a trip lasting 1-2 weeks", or something along those lines...Having an estimate is better than not writing anything at all.

-Don't not write them down/put 0, as they can check their records accordingly, especially more so since they have seen the green card and passport (and have scanned both in). And if one says 0 even though it isn't, this can/might be seen as a lie and could be used against a person.

-Show proof of those trips, if possible (for example, receipts, photos, ticket stubs, etc.)

-If they ask for further questions, just explain accordingly during the interview.

Hope this helps. Good luck on the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant (Frequent US/Canada border traveller...When did I travel again?...lol...)

On the citizenship form N400 they want me to list all of my trips outside of the US in the last 5 years. How am I supposed to remember, above all, these dates?

[CanAmCharlotte 0]

I know when I read that question on the application, my blood ran cold because it seemed like such an obvious and easy thing for me to have kept track of yet I hadn't. I too had no idea what my dates were. Anyhoo, I started digging around, looking at old daytimers, my Outlook calendar, receipts, date stamped photos, etc. and I was able to come up with the exact dates spent outside the country. Maybe your friends/family members or work colleagues might be of help. I know for some weird reason my mother writes down the dates I visit her.

[daveh 0]

Check your frequent flier accounts, search your email for any trips booked online, and finally your passport.

If you pay for paper tickets with cash and don't subscribe to any frequent flier programs, you're screwed.

Dave.

[jsnearline 2]

For example, "June 2009, a trip less than 24 hours"

FYI, you don't need to list any trips of less than 24 hours on the N-400.

[Sheryll 0]

My IO remarked on one of my trips, then after the test, yes/no questions, etc she went though all of them on her computer, and corrected dates on at least one of them (think it was the Puerto Rico/Caribbean cruise).

Just do the best you can and don't sweat it.

[-B&T- 1]

For example, "June 2009, a trip less than 24 hours"

FYI, you don't need to list any trips of less than 24 hours on the N-400.

Really? My trip to Mexico was like 5 hours only and I can't remember the date actually but I still want to state that trip on the Form because I don't want to encounter any problem or delay... if I put 0 and they found that I crossed the border in 2007 I might get screwed if they say I lied.

[antda 13]

Hi Bituin and Everyone,

If you read the form literally, yes, it does say that you don't have to list any trips less than 24hours on the N-400...

However, I like to play the "better safe than sorry" approach. You never know what the USCIS and immigration officials have on their records about your trips, especially when passports and/or green cards are scanned into their system...So it's better to list trips less than 24 hours, even though not required, than to not list it at all, so that one doesn't encounter any problems with their citizenship application. After all, you don't want to be caught in a lie and/or experience any other delays or problems!

For example, I went for a trip to Canada for 1 hour (yes, you read that right) recently to renew my passport. And no, I'm not declaring this as zero either! Funny though, when I came back home to the USA, and the border guard asked, "Is that all you were gone for, you sure you were not gone for a longer time?". "Yes I'm sure", I replied back.....

Lol...I'm declaring this trip as..."February 2009, 1 hour, to renew my Canadian passport" (because of I-751 delays..see my timeline for more info).....

Hope this helps. Good luck on the rest of your journey too.

Ant

For example, "June 2009, a trip less than 24 hours"

FYI, you don't need to list any trips of less than 24 hours on the N-400.

Really? My trip to Mexico was like 5 hours only and I can't remember the date actually but I still want to state that trip on the Form because I don't want to encounter any problem or delay... if I put 0 and they found that I crossed the border in 2007 I might get screwed if they say I lied.

Edited July 16, 2009 by AntandD

[-B&T- 1]

Hi Bituin and Everyone,

If you read the form literally, yes, it does say that you don't have to list any trips less than 24hours on the N-400...

However, I like to play the "better safe than sorry" approach. You never know what the USCIS and immigration officials have on their records about your trips, especially when passports and/or green cards are scanned into their system...So it's better to list trips less than 24 hours, even though not required, than to not list it at all, so that one doesn't encounter any problems with their citizenship application. After all, you don't want to be caught in a lie and/or experience any other delays or problems!

For example, I went for a trip to Canada for 1 hour (yes, you read that right) recently to renew my passport. And no, I'm not declaring this as zero either! Funny though, when I came back home to the USA, and the border guard asked, "Is that all you were gone for, you sure you were not gone for a longer time?". "Yes I'm sure", I replied back.....

Lol...I'm declaring this trip as..."February 2009, 1 hour, to renew my Canadian passport" (because of I-751 delays..see my timeline for more info).....

Hope this helps. Good luck on the rest of your journey too.

Ant

For example, "June 2009, a trip less than 24 hours"

FYI, you don't need to list any trips of less than 24 hours on the N-400.

Really? My trip to Mexico was like 5 hours only and I can't remember the date actually but I still want to state that trip on the Form because I don't want to encounter any problem or delay... if I put 0 and they found that I crossed the border in 2007 I might get screwed if they say I lied.

Hi Ant,

Thanks for being so helpful here in VJ. Actually, I will just follow your advice to just put" summer of 2007 A pleasure trip of 5 hours to Mexico" lol.."better safe than sorry" How are you doing?Good luck to you and can't wait to see your baby's pics here in VJ.Thanks again.