how will my travel outside of us affect my citizenship

[resalien 3]

Hello....I believe I have been out of the us for about 200 days. These are all vacation and emergency trips. I have never been out of the U.S for more than 6 months at any time. I left for Emery to Canada on Dec 15 and came back June 1. If I go to Canada for a week or two again this year will the 5 year requirement reset? Thanks

[env88 3]

No, you have no problems.

The requirement is that you weren't outside the country for more than 30 months (2.5 years) in the past 5 years, and never more than 6 months at a time.

An absence of more than 6 months but less than one year is also acceptable if you provide proof that the U.S. was still your main residence during that time.

[warlord 73]

This will depend on the nature of your 'trip'. Remember the 6 months rule only means that before 6 months out of a country, the IO has to do the work in proving that you either broke continuous residency or abandoned your GC. After 6 months, you have to do all the work to prove to the IO that you did not break continuous residency or abandon your GC.

Many people have gotten into trouble being out of the country for only a few months because they were officially residing in another country and working etc. So the first thing you need to do is document the reason you were out of the country. Were they visits only? Sick sibling or parents? How you afforded it etc.

So your entire thing will be dependent on the nature of your trips, not the amount of time (200 days) you were out in a year.

Many have been out longer than you anticipate you are and have been fine, others as I've mentioned have been out for only 2 months and found themselves having their CG revoked. All depends on the nature...

[resalien 3]

Thanks for the info...the Dec to June was due to my mom's illness. When I came back the IO didn't say why I was away for that long. Also I had a place in the U.S.....will this come up in the citizenship interview? Should I take my mothers hospital documents to show why I was away? Thanks

[christeen 966]

Yes, you can take the proof of illness but I doubt you will need it... My husband was out 285 days (the longest was 2 months) because of his job... The I/O said, "wow, travel a lot huh?" My husband said yes, for work... That was it.. Just answer truthfully, as long as you were not residing permanently or abandoning the GC you should be fine... Good luck.