naturalization after a break in continuous residence: timing the application

[sodsto 0]

Hi! I'm looking for information around the 4-years-plus-1-day timer before applying for citizenship after a break in residency. I'm over a year away from applying, I'm just lining myself up to make sure I have what I need.

I have a green card, granted in June 2016. Soon after I received that, I took a job I couldn't pass up outside of the US. I definitely broke continuity on my residency (timeline below) but I've been unambiguously employed and living in the US since I returned two and a half years ago. Although I typically have a trip abroad once every couple of months, either for work or to visit family, I've accrued most of the time required to pass the physical presence test already.

Technically I fall into the 4-years-plus-1-day category because I've resumed my residency, but I'm interested in the details therein. I gather that they still actually review the full 5 years prior to the application, but I was out completely in the year prior to returning so I gather that's a bad approach. Is that true? I don't own property nor was I working for a US organization. I did maintain bank accounts, I paid taxes (including California state, so as to not trigger any marks for becoming "non-resident"), and I had my mail directed to a friend's house the entire time I was out.

I've heard also that waiting until 4-years-plus-6-months is a better approach. Do folks have experience with their application in either case? Pointers welcome.

 

My timeline:

• November 2016: I left the US to start that job. I applied for a re-entry permit ahead of time.
• The re-entry permit arrived at the embassy abroad, expiry date set to March 2019. I returned to the US 5 times in this period, all short trips, but never more than six months apart.
• March 2019: I returned to the US to work for 6 months. Aside from two business trips abroad, I was in the US until September 2019.
• October 2019: I took on another job abroad, and again I applied for a re-entry permit ahead of time. The re-entry permit was granted with an end date of September 2021.
• Then, of course, COVID. I didn't travel until I was fully vaccinated in July 2021, so continuity was unambiguously broken. I understand that COVID is not a consideration for the application.
• August 2021: I returned to the US full-time.

[PeterNy 0]

I am in a similar situation and wondering how it worked out for you.

[Ban Hammer 13,446]

13 minutes ago, PeterNy said:

I am in a similar situation and wondering how it worked out for you.

as the op has not been seen since 25 apr 24, it is unlikely they will reply.
this thread is now locked to further replies.  should a membe have a question about similar circumstances, please start a new thread on that subject.