citizenship

[lucid 4]

if i am an immigrant in the us under employment base. how long should i stay in the us for me to apply for citizenship?

is it fine to visit philippines once a year?will it affect my application for citizenship in the future?

[arken 4,197]

You should maintain continual residence for 5 years that doesn't mean you have to physically present in the US continuously for 5 years. You can visit Phillippines even more than one time a year as long as its just for vacation and short term. How many trips doesn't matter, how long did you stay out of US matters. My GC is also employment based and i have made 9 trips in last 5 years after getting GC. No trips were more than 1.5 months.

You can look for minimum physical presence and other info on:

https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization

Edited June 12, 2016 by arken

[lucid 4]

ohh 5 years..ok2. thank you so much for that info.

also, if you are in working visa, can u apply for citizenship after 5 years?

[arken 4,197]

ohh 5 years..ok2. thank you so much for that info.

also, if you are in working visa, can u apply for citizenship after 5 years?

No, not if you are in a working visa. You should possess a GC for 5 years, 3 years if through marriage.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Most work visas are not immigration visas- ie they do not lead to a greencard and ultimately, citizenship.

If you are here on a visa, you first need to get a greencard, hold that for 5 years, then apply for citizenship.

[lucid 4]

ok. thank you so much. I will be in NY under EB2 which is immigrat visa. i'll have my greencard a month after i arrive in NY according to ym employer. hope everything will went smoothly .