CITIZENSHIP FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

[LadyBELL 0]

Does anybody know about overseas naturalization for spouses of military members? My husband and i are stationed here in Italy, last week we got an email saying that our stay has been extended to May 2012. I was wondering if i could apply for citizenship under section 319 b or 319 e? on the uscis website, it was written that military members and dependents who are regularly stationed abroad are eligible, also that it waives the residence and physical presence requirements. I called the USCIS here in Rome, they said I am not eligible to apply BUT if I am, I can apply even if im already overseas. I called the USCIS MILITARY hotline, they said I CAN APPLY but I need to be in the states to do so.. I have all my requirements prepared, but i am confused as to if i am eligible or what, if i can apply overseas or i need to fly to the states? I have been getting different answers and its driving me crazy.

Kindly enlighten me please.

Thanks!

[milimelo 4,583]

You will have to fly in for the interview and oath ceremony - pick the Fairfax, VA office as they tend to handle a lot of military spouse naturalizations and same day oaths. Don't forget to include the fingerprint cards with your package.

[LadyBELL 0]

Hey thanks for the reply. Uscis website said i dont need to travel to the states to do the interview and oath. Also the immigration officer here in italy told me i can do the interview and oath taking here in italy, but the processing itself should be done in the US. Also included in the requirements is the cover letter which uscis website explained that i should include where i wish to be interviewed. And one more, uscis rome told me that i need to send it to nebraska.. The instructions for n400 filling also mentioned that all military related applications should be sent to nebraska.. I am really confused

[Barbara J 115]

Hey thanks for the reply. Uscis website said i dont need to travel to the states to do the interview and oath. Also the immigration officer here in italy told me i can do the interview and oath taking here in italy, but the processing itself should be done in the US. Also included in the requirements is the cover letter which uscis website explained that i should include where i wish to be interviewed. And one more, uscis rome told me that i need to send it to nebraska.. The instructions for n400 filling also mentioned that all military related applications should be sent to nebraska.. I am really confused

This here: http://www.visajourn...ost__p__4415236 talks about the actual rule for overseas and says that at your own expense you (not your hubby) would need to fly back for the interview (what they mean is USCIS won't pay, but if the Military does it's not a problem).

This one talks about deployed spouses interview experiences: http://www.visajourn...litary-spouses/ and i'm trying to see if someone says that yes it's possible to expedite citizenship for you and post #5 says you are! It also explains how to go about it and #7 explains that the woman had her interview and is now a USC.

This was sent to me as I thought we would be overseas as my husband is retired Military but still works for the Military. Not sure if it will help but I am sure you can file all the papers and have your swearing in over there and interview .

http://www.uscis.gov...000082ca60aRCRD

Check this too

Overseas Naturalization for Spouses of Military Members

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 added Section 319(e) to the INA which allows certain eligible spouses of service members to naturalize abroad without traveling to the United States for any part of the naturalization process and also treats qualifying residence abroad as residence and physical presence in the U.S. for purposes of naturalization.

In general, to be eligible for naturalization abroad pursuant to section 319(e) of the INA, the permanent resident spouse of a member of the U.S. armed forces must:

• Be authorized to accompany the service member abroad pursuant to the member's official orders

• Be residing abroad with the member in marital union
• Meet the requirements of either Section 316(a) or 319(a) of the INA at the time of filing the naturalization application, except for the residence and physical presence requirements.

Section 319(a) applies to spouses of U.S. citizens who have been permanent residents for 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the naturalization application and who have lived in marital union with their citizen spouses for at least those 3 years. Section 316(a) applies to spouses who have been permanent residents for 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the naturalization application.

For more information, including how to apply, see the “Fact Sheet: Requirements for Naturalization Abroad by Spouses of Members of the U.S. armed forces” link to the right.

Edited April 19, 2011 by Barbara J

[LadyBELL 0]

Thanks barbara for the reply. The last info you posted 319e, ive been reading about it and its actually written there that no need to travel to the us. Also in my previous post i mentioned that the immigration officer here in italy said that i dont have to fly to america.. I can be interviewesd and sworn here in italy. Its really confusing coz immigration officers tell me different answers. Thanks for the reply tho i appreciate it!

[Barbara J 115]

Thanks barbara for the reply. The last info you posted 319e, ive been reading about it and its actually written there that no need to travel to the us. Also in my previous post i mentioned that the immigration officer here in italy said that i dont have to fly to america.. I can be interviewesd and sworn here in italy. Its really confusing coz immigration officers tell me different answers. Thanks for the reply tho i appreciate it!

Yeah I know it is confusing hey but I am pretty sure you can be sworn in over there too.

[LadyBELL 0]

I hope so! Lol i was wondering like lets say im gona send my packet and they think im not eligible or something, are they gona send back my money?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Check out this topic.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/175821-n-400-expedited-naturalization-via-section-319b/

[Nes81 0]

you have to apply before you leave the US, when you have your pcs to go overseas!!

[Lynnami 8]

Hey thanks for the reply. Uscis website said i dont need to travel to the states to do the interview and oath. Also the immigration officer here in italy told me i can do the interview and oath taking here in italy, but the processing itself should be done in the US. Also included in the requirements is the cover letter which uscis website explained that i should include where i wish to be interviewed. And one more, uscis rome told me that i need to send it to nebraska.. The instructions for n400 filling also mentioned that all military related applications should be sent to nebraska.. I am really confused

For as far as I know you are right on with this. It is a new thing for military spouses to be able to be interviewed and sworn in overseas. I also thought it was not true until a friend of mine, who is a military spouses with Welsh citizenship and stationed in Germany, went through this. She is going to be sworn in in Frankfurt, Germany.

My husband his ex is Italian and when she became a citizen they were still stationed in Germany. But she had to fly to the States to get her interview and ceremony.

You are on the right track! Good luck with it.