I want to stay in my country for 6 months, will this affect my naturalization process?

[F@rsc@p3 0]

Hi All

My husband is deploying in 2 weeks and I would like to go spend at least 6 months with my family in Panama. I am sending my I 751 next Thursday.

I have visited my family before: In 2008 for 6 weeks this year for 3 weeks.

How would this affect my naturalization process? I read that I cannot have trip longer than 6 months. Are these 6 months a total number or just the length of each trip?

I really need to know.

Another question, Can I ask a reentry permit or something to spend a year in my country without losing my permanent resident status?

Thank you so much in advance

Lis

[Nagishkaw 510]

Bump

[F@rsc@p3 0]

Bump

What does it mean??? I dont get it. Is this a joke?? I thought this site was more respectful.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Bump means I am moving this topic up so it gets the attention it deserves. As far as being disrespectful, I didn't call you a n00b, did I ? 0h, and

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Any absences from the US for 6 months or greater break the continual residency requirement for US citizenship, which means you would have to start over again accumulating continual residence. If you remained in Panama for less than 6 months and returned to the US you would retain continual residence and would then have to look at meeting the physical presence requirement - being physically within the US for 18 months out of the last 3 years. Here is a link to the actual requirements for citizenship:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/chapter4.pdf

You should be fine to visit your family but try to make it for 5 3/4 months to give you a weeks grace from the 6 months requirement. You can return for another visit and as long as you don't go over the 18 months physical presence requirement you should be fine.

[F@rsc@p3 0]

Bump means I am moving this topic up so it gets the attention it deserves. As far as being disrespectful, I didn't call you a n00b, did I ? 0h, and

Sorry I didnt know what that meant. I have never been member of a forum before though. please, excuse me. I am under too much stress right now.

Thank you for your help.

[F@rsc@p3 0]

Any absences from the US for 6 months or greater break the continual residency requirement for US citizenship, which means you would have to start over again accumulating continual residence. If you remained in Panama for less than 6 months and returned to the US you would retain continual residence and would then have to look at meeting the physical presence requirement - being physically within the US for 18 months out of the last 3 years. Here is a link to the actual requirements for citizenship:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/chapter4.pdf

You should be fine to visit your family but try to make it for 5 3/4 months to give you a weeks grace from the 6 months requirement. You can return for another visit and as long as you don't go over the 18 months physical presence requirement you should be fine.

Thank you so much for your help.