affect on citizenship due to multiple trips outside USA

[kashif01 2]

Hi,

 

If i plan to stay outside USA for a period of 5 months and then come back and plan another trip outside usa for 3 months will it affect my citizenship application. I received my GC based on marriage in March 2016 and plan to apply for my citizenship in jan 2019. I am in USA for 2 years completely and 1 year since my GC.

Plz confirm my doubt in detail

 

Thanks

[Stagnant Sloth 5]

This page on the USCIS website should help you out:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/continuous-residence-and-physical-presence-requirements-naturalization

 

On the page, it states:

 

" Applicants are required to show that they were:

Physically present in the U.S. for eighteen months within the three year period before applying in the case of qualified spouses of U.S. citizens "

 

Some other points to note:

 

" In addition, applicants are required to show they have resided for at least three months immediately preceding the filing of Form N-400 in the USCIS district or state where the applicant claims to have residency "

 

" Absences of more than six months but less than one year may disrupt an applicant’s continuous residence unless the applicant can prove otherwise "

 

Also, a follow up question for me: Are you sure you're able to apply for naturalization in January, 2019? You said your green card was obtained in March, 2016. I thought you had to wait a minimum of 36 months to apply. January, 2019 would be 34 months. I'm not sure if you're able to apply a bit in advance of your date, though. Perhaps someone else could provide some insight.

[kashif01 2]

so multiple trips should not be an issue as long as they are below 6 months while i complete total 18 months

 

For your question I think Jan 2019 I can apply because March 2019 is when I become a GC holder for 3 years so March 2019 minus 90 days. Plz, correct me if I am wrong here

Thanks

 

[Stagnant Sloth 5]

Based on what I've seen on the USCIS website, multiple trips should be fine. I'm going to be getting my greencard soon, too, and had been looking into that as well, as I also planned to take some extended trips to Canada over the next several years.

 

As for the 90 day thing, I'm not sure how that works. Maybe someone else could weigh in with information on that. I was looking through the citizenship thread on this website and couldn't find any confirmation with that.

[Stevephoto 230]

On 3/4/2017 at 7:27 AM, kashif01 said:

so multiple trips should not be an issue as long as they are below 6 months while i complete total 18 months

 

For your question I think Jan 2019 I can apply because March 2019 is when I become a GC holder for 3 years so March 2019 minus 90 days. Plz, correct me if I am wrong here

Thanks

 

You are correct...you can file 90 days (not always exactly 3 months, so watch the dates) before your 3rd anniversary holding a green card as long as you are still married to the same USC. Good luck!

[texaspanpan 0]

In addition, applicants are required to show they have resided for at least three months immediately preceding the filing of Form N-400 in the USCIS district or state where the applicant claims to have residency (See 8 CFR §316.2(a)(5) & §319.1(a)(5)).

 

is it saying that u have to be psychically stay in US for at least 3 months before u can submit he n 400 form?

Edited March 6, 2017 by texaspanpan

[Camelot13 63]

Hello! I have a follow-up question about that requirement showing you've resided for at least 3 months immediately preceding the filing for citizenship. My husband is eligible to apply for citizenship in August 2017, but we're going to the UK to visit family for about 4 weeks in June to start of July. We own a home here in the US. Does that stipulation mean one must be physically present for 3 months before filing in which case a vacation out of the country in June would disqualify an August application? Thank you.

[texaspanpan 0]

3 hours ago, Camelot13 said:

Hello! I have a follow-up question about that requirement showing you've resided for at least 3 months immediately preceding the filing for citizenship. My husband is eligible to apply for citizenship in August 2017, but we're going to the UK to visit family for about 4 weeks in June to start of July. We own a home here in the US. Does that stipulation mean one must be physically present for 3 months before filing in which case a vacation out of the country in June would disqualify an August application? Thank you.

 

I think may be we got this one wrong......

 

it may mean that if u apply N-400 in CA, then you have to at least live in CA for 3 month before you claim you are a CA applicant. 

 

please everyone correct me if i am wrong...

[Camelot13 63]

That would be great. I'm confused about the definition of resident - if it means you have to have lived in that state for 3 months (i.e. not moved houses from Oregon to California for example) or whether you have to be be physically present in that accommodation for those 3 months before applying. It seems like the first option would make more sense because surely a vacation wouldn't be a preventative factor, but one never knows with immigration. Thanks all!

[kashif01 2]

I am told by my friends that If I reside outside USA for more than 2 months, each day I am outside USA will be calculated while deciding for my citizenship case. They will delay it for as much time I stay outside. Can someone plz, give me a firm answer that how much stay does not affect or delay my citizenship case. I cannot consult a lawyer at this stage as just for 1 question I will end up paying so much. Many thanks

[kashif01 2]

I am told by my friends that If I reside outside USA for more than 2 months, each day I am outside USA will be calculated while deciding for my citizenship case. They will delay it for as much time I stay outside. Can someone plz, give me a firm answer that how much stay does not affect or delay my citizenship case. I cannot consult a lawyer at this stage as just for 1 question I will end up paying so much. Many thanks