Study Abroad During Naturalization

[aceegreene 34]

Hi everyone

 

I am a current LPR and will be eligible to apply for and plan on applying for naturalization in Jan 2024. I plan on applying for grad programs abroad (UK/Europe) which will start in Sept 2024 and last a year max. My long term intention is to live in the US but grad school's cheaper in Europe. So my question is, if I keep coming back to the US before the 6 month mark, does that affect my application for naturalization? Or can I do this and still be okay, provided I attend my biometrics and other appointments in person of course? 

 

Thank you in advance for your help! 

[OldUser 6,489]

Are you keeping the ties to the US while studying abroad? E.g. lease or mortgage, bank, job etc?

 

There's a chance you will naturalize before September 2024 if filed in January 2024.

 

Otherwise, you need to make sure you don't break continuous residence and physical presence in the US while going through naturalization.

 

Another option is getting a re-entry permit (file today) and that way you can be out of the US for up to 2 years.

[Mike E 11,739]

25 minutes ago, aceegreene said:

So my question is, if I keep coming back to the US before the 6 month mark, does that affect my application for naturalization? Or can I do this and still be okay, provided I attend my biometrics and other appointments in person of course? 

By law you  must maintain continuous residency after filing N-400 all the way through interview and oath. 
 

Definitely file in  January 2024, and if you haven’t taken oath before you move abroad, file I-131 to get a re-entry permit and naturalize 5 years after you take up residence in the U.S.  

[aceegreene 34]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

Are you keeping the ties to the US while studying abroad? E.g. lease or mortgage, bank, job etc?

 

There's a chance you will naturalize before September 2024 if filed in January 2024.

 

Otherwise, you need to make sure you don't break continuous residence and physical presence in the US while going through naturalization.

 

Another option is getting a re-entry permit (file today) and that way you can be out of the US for up to 2 years.

I’ll be keeping my bank account, cards and a car but probably not lease and don’t have a mortgage. 
 

if I don’t naturalize before I leave, how do I ensure I’m not breaking continuous residence and physical presence? 

[Mike E 11,739]

1 minute ago, aceegreene said:

I’ll be keeping my bank account, cards and a car but probably not lease and don’t have a mortgage. 
 

if I don’t naturalize before I leave, how do I ensure I’m not breaking continuous residence and physical presence? 

Can’t be done in general. 
 

 

[aceegreene 34]

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

By law you  must maintain continuous residency after filing N-400 all the way through interview and oath. 
 

Definitely file in  January 2024, and if you haven’t taken oath before you move abroad, file I-131 to get a re-entry permit and naturalize 5 years after you take up residence in the U.S.  

is there a workaround to resetting the 5 year timeline? Like could I be studying abroad and still maintain my ability to be naturalized without having to spend another 5 years to get citizenship?

[SteveInBostonI130 3,408]

Only if you stay in the US and take the international courses online.

[Mike E 11,739]

4 hours ago, aceegreene said:

is there a workaround to resetting the 5 year timeline? Like could I be studying abroad and still maintain my ability to be naturalized without having to spend another 5 years to get citizenship?