Confusion about Citizenship

[happylove 0]

When can someone apply for citizenship if they are married to a US citizen? Is it three years from the date they received their temporary green card or three years from the date they received their permanent resident status? We have been married for over 3 years and she has been in this country for approximately 3 1/2 years. However, my wife received her permanent resident status last year after apply for her AOS. She received her temporary green card about two years ago. I was wondering if the time she had the temporary green card is added to the total. She is very eager to get her citizenship and I want to support her on this.

thanks

[canadian_wife 1,823]

You keep saying temporary green card, what is that? do you mean her conditional green card? If so, have you both filed to remove conditions and granting her a 10 year green card?

there is a 'resident since' date on her green card, either conditional or 10 year, 90 days before her 3 years as a resident she may file for citizenship

good luck

[Jojo92122 1,924]

When can someone apply for citizenship if they are married to a US citizen? Is it three years from the date they received their temporary green card or three years from the date they received their permanent resident status? We have been married for over 3 years and she has been in this country for approximately 3 1/2 years. However, my wife received her permanent resident status last year after apply for her AOS. She received her temporary green card about two years ago. I was wondering if the time she had the temporary green card is added to the total. She is very eager to get her citizenship and I want to support her on this.

thanks

Your wife qualifies to apply for US citizenship if 1) she has been an LPR for 3 years, 2) living with her US citizen spouse for 3 years, and 3) been living continuously in the US for 3 years without being outside the US for trips of 6 months or longer.

You need to use the correct term;

Temporary green card (wrong) --> Conditional permanent legal residency (expires in 2 years if the condition is not lifted).

When you use the right term, it is easier to figure out if she qualifies to apply for US citizenship. You count the years she is a conditional LPR towards the time she needs to meet to apply.

[happylove 0]

Your wife qualifies to apply for US citizenship if 1) she has been an LPR for 3 years, 2) living with her US citizen spouse for 3 years, and 3) been living continuously in the US for 3 years without being outside the US for trips of 6 months or longer.

You need to use the correct term;

Temporary green card (wrong) --> Conditional permanent legal residency (expires in 2 years if the condition is not lifted).

When you use the right term, it is easier to figure out if she qualifies to apply for US citizenship. You count the years she is a conditional LPR towards the time she needs to meet to apply.

If I am understanding correctly: If my wife became a conditional LPR in 2008, then she can apply for citizenship this year in 2011. We applied to have her conditions lifted last year in 2010 -- that is when she got her permanent residency status.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

If I am understanding correctly: If my wife became a conditional LPR in 2008, then she can apply for citizenship this year in 2011. We applied to have her conditions lifted last year in 2010 -- that is when she got her permanent residency status.

Yes, your wife can apply for US citizenship in 2011. She got her permanent residency in 2008. She got the condition on her permanent residency lifted in 2010. To clarify, you need to keep in mind that she got her permanent residency status in 2008 and not 2010. I think you are still stuck on the temporary green card term which is incorrect because USCIS will never use that term in anything official.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Your wife's Green Card is the key. Any of her Green Cards, actually.

On the front of it is a line reading: RESIDENT SINCE: xx/xx/2008. That's the date she became a resident.

Not earlier than 3 years after that date she can become a US citizen.

Not earlier than 90 days before she can become a US citizen USCIS can receive her N-400 application.