When can my wife file for citizenship?

[ra76 0]

Hello,

I am a US citizen. My wife entered the country with a K3 visa in Oct of 2007 and received her permanent residency in March of 2008 (her conditional status was removed in 2010).

She has had 4 trips to outside of the USA during this time (1 month+ 1 month + 2 wks + 2 wks for a total of 3 months). I am wondering if we can file now or do we have to wait until March (when her 3 years of permanent residency are complete)? I know you can file 90 days before or something but does she meet the continuous stay requirement?

Thank you very much in advance for your help. This site has been a wonderful resource throughout all her immigration processes.

[YuAndDan 153]

Can file N-400 within 90 days prior to the residency since date "March 2008" so sometime first Quarter 2011 is the earliest.

Also requires at least 18 months residency in that 3 years, and needs no periods out of country longer than 6 months.

Requirements found here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/chapter4.pdf

Edited January 28, 2011 by YuAndDan

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Her trips did not interrupt her permanent residency for naturalization purposes. She can become a US citizen on the 3rd anniversary of the date on her Green Card where it says: Resident Since xx/xx/2008.

USCIS can receive her N-400 petition as early as 90 days before that date. Play it safe and allow a couple of days wiggle room before jumping the gun.