Can you apply for citizenship while living in another country?

[kc247 22]

I lived in the US from 2014-2019. I still have my 10 yr green card and just crossed into the US to visit. The customs officer told me to go to a USCIS office and apply for a travel document so I don't lose my green card incase I want to apply for citizenship. I assumed I would have to give up my green card at the border. Is citizenship still a possibility? I moved away 10 months ago. The only reason I didn't apply before we left was because my husband had a job offer in Canada and we left quicker than originally planned. 

[lucardo3 220]

Here is the eligibility information you can check :

 

https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/educators/naturalization-information#eligibility_reqmts

[lucardo3 220]

• Show that you have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you apply. 

• Demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400. 

• Show that you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400. 

[Lil bear 4,286]

18 minutes ago, kc247 said:

I lived in the US from 2014-2019. I still have my 10 yr green card and just crossed into the US to visit. The customs officer told me to go to a USCIS office and apply for a travel document so I don't lose my green card incase I want to apply for citizenship. I assumed I would have to give up my green card at the border. Is citizenship still a possibility? I moved away 10 months ago. The only reason I didn't apply before we left was because my husband had a job offer in Canada and we left quicker than originally planned. 

You can avoid losing  your LPR status in the short term by applying for a reentry permit which will allow you to be out of the US for up to two years .., to apply for this you need to be in the Us when you file , and for  biometrics .. but you can then leave and have the card sent to you in Canada 

Without this process you are very close now  to failing to maintain your LPR status ...   You need to do some very quick reading about maintaining status , reentry permits and naturalisation requirements. Your window to keep that door open .. and not have to start all over again with a second spouse immigration visa .. is very small, as you have already made choices which look like abandoning residency. 

[kc247 22]

Thank you for the info. Just saw that the I-131 is $660 so definitely not filing that. Will probably just have to surrender my green card next time we come and if we ever need to move back will reapply. Chances are that will not happen. I was more thinking citizenship for years and years into the future.