Citizen Requirement 3 year Rule

[joe12 1]

Hi folks,

I would be glad if any one can shed light on the 3 year citizenship requirement for marriage to a US Citizen. I married my spouse in 2010 and she was a green card holder. She filled for me and our visa number became available last year. I was sent a 10 year green card since our marriage was over 2 years. My question is my wife is thaving her US Citizenship some time late this year and my question is since i have married her more than 3 years. Am i eligible to apply for US Citizenship after she gets her US Citizneship or i have to wait till 2016 when i have been a Permanent Resident for 3 years. Any suggestion will be appreciated. Thanks

[Ian H. 207]

Yes, you still have to wait. You have to meet 3 requirements. You have to be married for 3 years, so that's one down. You have to be an LPR for 3 years minus 90 days. And your wife has to be a citizen for 3 years as well. So far you only meet one of the requirements. Also even though you can apply for citizenship in 3 years minus the 90 days, you have to meet the 3 requirements before you can have your oath ceremony. I forgot to mention you also have to be living together in the US for 3 years.

Edited July 23, 2014 by ianhalliwell186

[JimmyHou 613]

Hi folks,

I would be glad if any one can shed light on the 3 year citizenship requirement for marriage to a US Citizen. I married my spouse in 2010 and she was a green card holder. She filled for me and our visa number became available last year. I was sent a 10 year green card since our marriage was over 2 years. My question is my wife is thaving her US Citizenship some time late this year and my question is since i have married her more than 3 years. Am i eligible to apply for US Citizenship after she gets her US Citizneship or i have to wait till 2016 when i have been a Permanent Resident for 3 years. Any suggestion will be appreciated. Thanks

You have to wait until you have been a permanent resident for 3 years AND until your wife has been a US citizen for 3 years. Here are the relevant eligibility requirements and the relevant link:

-Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

-Have been living in marital union with the U.S. citizen spouse, who has been a U.S. citizen during all of such period, during the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application and up until examination on the application

http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/naturalization-spouses-us-citizens

[Ian H. 207]

Actually, you have to meet all the 3 requirements on the date you file your N400, not 90 days before.

[JimmyHou 613]

So basically, you can apply 3 years from the day your wife becomes a US citizen, because by then you should have met the other requirements.