Time outside the United States

[codegeek 0]

I am ready to file my N-400 and a bit confused about this question.

"How many total days (24 hours or longer) did you spend outside the United States during the last 5 years" ?

Ok so the question is clear. But what do I answer as someone who got his PR through marriage. In that case, I actually entered the US more than 3 years ago. So Of course, for last 5 years, I was outside the United States for about 2 years which is a lot of days to enter here.

So for people who got PR through marriage and have not lived in US for at least 5 years, what did you enter here ? Do you still calculate entire 5 years and put a really high number OR do you only enter for the time you were in the US as a PR ?

I don't want to take chances so I have calculated the entire last 5 years but it is obviously a very big number of days.

[akihon 129]

I applied based on marriage to a USC, so 3 years. I filled it in 5 years, but I've lived in the US for 9 years now.

You should only fill in the last 3 years then, since you're applying based on marriage.

Edited March 22, 2016 by akihon

[codegeek 0]

'You should only fill in the last 3 years then"

That is what I am worried about. The question specifically says 5 years. So I am going with the chance to enter all 5 years rather than enter only 3.

Anyone else in my situation ? Would love to hear more.

[Penny Pincher 11]

Make sure you count the months you're away from the country, if its more than 18 months for your 3year GC holder, then you are not eligible yet.

I've printed this worksheet and guideline: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/article/attachments.pdf and answered it truthfully. It will tell you if you are eligible or not. It;s most likely a YES or NO answer sheet.

[Penny Pincher 11]

Make sure you count the months you're away from the country, if its more than 18 months for your 3year GC holder, then you are not eligible yet.

I've printed this worksheet and guideline: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/article/attachments.pdf and answered it truthfully. It will tell you if you are eligible or not. It;s most likely a YES or NO answer sheet.

[akihon 129]

'You should only fill in the last 3 years then"

That is what I am worried about. The question specifically says 5 years. So I am going with the chance to enter all 5 years rather than enter only 3.

Anyone else in my situation ? Would love to hear more.

The form asks for 5, yes, because there isn't a separate one for 3 year filing.

[Penny Pincher 11]

if you stayed in the USA for 18 mos (through marriage) since you came to USA up to present, then I believe you are eligible.

[codegeek 0]

thx everyone. based on more google searches and advice, I have decided to go with only entering last 3 years BUT adding an attachment explaining why I only entered last 3 and not 5 just in case. I know most likely the attachment is redundant but it can only help.

[Penny Pincher 11]

thx everyone. based on more google searches and advice, I have decided to go with only entering last 3 years BUT adding an attachment explaining why I only entered last 3 and not 5 just in case. I know most likely the attachment is redundant but it can only help.

Good luck

I am also gathering my papers for this. You can add me so we can update each other

[Vilya 5]

This is exactly the question I was coming here to ask. I'm still not entirely clear (they should really address this in the instructions!), but I may try more Googling. Thanks, codegeek, for your input. My husband has already filled in the 'five years' time he was still living in Australia, but I will see if he will be amenable to the 'three years and attachment w/explanation' method.

[codegeek 0]

@Vilya no problem. Yes I suggest only putting in 3 years and attaching explanation. Entering a really large number of days for time spent outside could throw red flags and it is definitely ok if you got your PR on the basis of marriage to a US citizen. I hope they update that form soon so that this confusion does not occur.