N400 - choosing between 3 year or 5 year rule?

[leignot 13]

I am a current GC holder by marriage. I received my GC in 2015, and ROC in 2018. I am finally getting around to applying for citizenship. I have started an application on the USCIS website, and I selected 3 year rule since I received my GC through marriage. But looking through this forum it seems like I can choose between the 3 and 5 year rules. Is one better/easier than the other? My application is not submitted yet, but I've already uploaded evidence for our marriage. Would it look suspicious if I changed it to a 5 year and deleted my uploads?  

[wildbug100420 115]

25 minutes ago, leignot said:

I am a current GC holder by marriage. I received my GC in 2015, and ROC in 2018. I am finally getting around to applying for citizenship. I have started an application on the USCIS website, and I selected 3 year rule since I received my GC through marriage. But looking through this forum it seems like I can choose between the 3 and 5 year rules. Is one better/easier than the other? My application is not submitted yet, but I've already uploaded evidence for our marriage. Would it look suspicious if I changed it to a 5 year and deleted my uploads?  

Any trips outside the US for more than 6 months? Are you still married or divorced?

[leignot 13]

2 minutes ago, wildbug100420 said:

Any trips outside the US for more than 6 months? Are you still married or divorced?

 

Several trips but only a few days at a time. Still happily married.

[wildbug100420 115]

8 minutes ago, leignot said:

 

Several trips but only a few days at a time. Still happily married.

I say go ahead and apply under 3 years rule. 

 

9 minutes ago, leignot said:

 

Several trips but only a few days at a time. Still happily married.

Go for 3 years rule don't think it would matter since you have been a Green Card holder for enough time 

[leignot 13]

11 minutes ago, wildbug100420 said:

I say go ahead and apply under 3 years rule. 

 

 

Even though there's more evidence needed? It seems like the 3 year applications may be under more scrutiny. 

[wildbug100420 115]

1 hour ago, leignot said:

 

Even though there's more evidence needed? It seems like the 3 year applications may be under more scrutiny. 

I think since you have been a Green Card holder for enough time it might be easier under 5 years rule but if there are no issues with your relationship then apply under 3 years. Be done with uscis 😁

[OldUser 6,775]

6 hours ago, leignot said:

I am a current GC holder by marriage. I received my GC in 2015, and ROC in 2018. I am finally getting around to applying for citizenship. I have started an application on the USCIS website, and I selected 3 year rule since I received my GC through marriage. But looking through this forum it seems like I can choose between the 3 and 5 year rules. Is one better/easier than the other? My application is not submitted yet, but I've already uploaded evidence for our marriage. Would it look suspicious if I changed it to a 5 year and deleted my uploads?  

If eligible for 5 year rule, it's not a brainer. 5 year rule wins: simpler,  doesn't involve reproving marriage, less evidence required.

[OldUser 6,775]

8 hours ago, wildbug100420 said:

I say go ahead and apply under 3 years rule. 

It's not like @leignot is going to get an award for picking a harder 3 year rule route? With the same outcome (citizenship) what's the rationale for going 3 year rule route? It's not faster either.

[Crazy Cat 41,923]

12 hours ago, leignot said:

My application is not submitted yet

I would change it to the 5 year rule.  The 3 year rule makes it harder for you, your spouse, and the Officer, imo. 

[leignot 13]

Thank you @Crazy Cat and @OldUser. That is what I was suspecting and now I feel better about starting over with the 5 year rule! 

[Tam&Sar 23]

I applied at the end of March (25th) and had the choice of using either the 3 or 5 year rule.  Started applying under the 3 year but changed it mid application to the 5 year one as when uploading evidence I realised how much less it would need.  Heard within a day that they will reused my biometrics and have an appointment scheduled for May. Way quicker turnaround than I was expecting! 

[leignot 13]

8 hours ago, Tam&Sar said:

I applied at the end of March (25th) and had the choice of using either the 3 or 5 year rule.  Started applying under the 3 year but changed it mid application to the 5 year one as when uploading evidence I realised how much less it would need.  Heard within a day that they will reused my biometrics and have an appointment scheduled for May. Way quicker turnaround than I was expecting! 

 

That's great to hear! I am definitely doing this now. 

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

And nobody is following up on your application draft to see how manyntimes you logged in or changed anything around. So hit the 5 year button and delete all the extra 😁

[OldUser 6,775]

13 minutes ago, Letspaintcookies said:

And nobody is following up on your application draft to see how manyntimes you logged in or changed anything around. So hit the 5 year button and delete all the extra 😁

Even if this was tracked - there's nothing wrong changing from 3 year rule to 5 year rule. It's perfectly legal. Nothing is set in stone, certainly not until application is submitted. Even then, I heard of people changing from 3 year rule to 5 year rule during the N-400 interview!

Edited April 7 by OldUser

[leignot 13]

On 4/7/2024 at 1:47 PM, Letspaintcookies said:

And nobody is following up on your application draft to see how manyntimes you logged in or changed anything around. So hit the 5 year button and delete all the extra 😁

I ended up deleting the application and starting from scratch - probably overkill but I wanted to be extra sure that I didn't have any carried over mistakes haha!