Time outside of the US N-400?

[Jamericanlove 31]

I've been reading in the forums and notice a post where someone says this to another poster...

Looking at your timeline you aren't a GC holder for 5 years or longer either, unless you received your GC sometime before Jul 2007. In that case the -90 day option might apply to you. However if your physical presence counter has ever been reset, a later date applies.

Have you traveled abroad within first 90 days of arriving in the US?

Have you ever traveled for more than 6 months in one year?

That bold part has me puzzled. I know about being out of the country for more than 6 months in a year. But is there a requirement for new permanent residents to stay inside the US for the first 3 months after initial arrival?

I'm curious because I was a student in my home country when the I-130 process was completed. I entered the US, spent a few weeks with my husband, went back to finish up school and came back to the US right after I took my final exam 9 weeks later.

The poster above makes it seem as though because of this I should let more time pass before I attempt to apply for naturalization or face them rejecting the application if I apply in the 90 day window from my "resident since" date.

Can anyone knowledgeable about this kind of thing verify whether this is true or not?

Edited April 9, 2013 by Jamericanlove

[mandixon 9]

I've been reading in the forums and notice a post where someone says this to another poster...

That bold part has me puzzled. I know about being out of the country for more than 6 months in a year. But is there a requirement for new permanent residents to stay inside the US for the first 3 months after initial arrival?

I'm curious because I was a student in my home country when the I-130 process was completed. I entered the US, spent a few weeks with my husband, went back to finish up school and came back to the US right after I took my final exam 9 weeks later.

The poster above makes it seem as though because of this I should let more time pass before I attempt to apply for naturalization or face them rejecting the application if I apply in the 90 day window from my "resident since" date.

Can anyone knowledgeable about this kind of thing verify whether this is true or not?

you need to live for at least 3 months in the state where you are applying for citizenship from (assuming that you meet all other requirements). you can also apply for citizenship 90 days before you complete 5 years of residency. these are the two periods that you should care about: A- 3 months residency in your state B- apply as early as 90 days before completing your 5 year residency (3 if u r a spouse of a us citizen).

Plus, people's postings arent always accurate. my comment above is based on my superficial understanding of the process...you need to check USCIS website for accurate information. so dont stress out over what people have to say.

Good luck!

[christeen 966]

Hubby traveled 7 days after arriving on GC so don't worry. You just list all your trips, if they are not over 6 month... No worries. We had over 80 trips in just over 3 years (husband fixes ships outside of us) so no problems... You'll be fine

[Jamericanlove 31]

Thank you both for your input. That statement never made too much sense to me and I'd never seen it anywhere going through mountains of paperwork from before and since becoming a PR. Never hurts to get a second opinion though.