When exactly are you able to apply?

[MrsAb2021 30]

Hello,

 

I’ve tried to use the naturalization calculator tool online but still had a couple questions. My husband came here on a K-1 in October 2021, and we were married the same month. He received his 2 year permanent residency card in November 2022 which expired November 2024, and currently has a pending I-751. He has traveled twice out of the U.S. once for 56 days and another for 40 days, once in 2023 and the other in 2024 to visit his family. 
 

I’m under the impression he can apply for citizenship in November 2024, is this correct? Or does he need to factor in the days he traveled outside the country to determine his date?

 

Any advice is appreciated!

Edited Sunday at 04:54 PM by MrsAb2021
Date change

[Crazy Cat 42,913]

For the 3 year rule, he must have been married to the US citizen for 3 years AND he must have had his Green Card for 3 years.  That means he can apply in November 2025....minus 90 days (Aug 2025).

 

Edited Sunday at 05:24 PM by Crazy Cat

[MrsAb2021 30]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

For the 3 year rule, he must have been married to the US citizen for 3 years AND he must have had his Green Card for 3 years.  That means he can apply in November 2025....minus 90 days (Aug 2025).

 

 

Oh, that’s great to know! Thank you. We will have been married for four years October 15th and he received his residency November 22nd 2022. So it’s safe to assume that August 22 is the one we can apply?

 

Does he need to factor in the days that he was on vacation? I will go ahead and start researching the process on the N 400. 
 

Thank you!

[Crazy Cat 42,913]

29 minutes ago, MrsAb2021 said:

 

Oh, that’s great to know! Thank you. We will have been married for four years October 15th and he received his residency November 22nd 2022. So it’s safe to assume that August 22 is the one we can apply?

 

Does he need to factor in the days that he was on vacation? I will go ahead and start researching the process on the N 400. 
 

Thank you!

[MrsAb2021 30]

2 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Thanks, I appreciate the info. I thought you had to factor in the days absent from the U.S. into the time you apply but seems I was wrong about that. 

[ODATT 53]

3 hours ago, MrsAb2021 said:

Thanks, I appreciate the info. I thought you had to factor in the days absent from the U.S. into the time you apply but seems I was wrong about that. 

That’s only if the travel is more than 6 months. 

[MrsAb2021 30]

1 hour ago, ODATT said:

That’s only if the travel is more than 6 months. 

Yes thankfully it wasn’t. That’s great that can apply before the actual anniversary, I had no idea. 

[Scandi 4,238]

8 hours ago, MrsAb2021 said:

Yes thankfully it wasn’t. That’s great that can apply before the actual anniversary, I had no idea. 

It specifically says this exact thing in the uscis EARLY filing calculator that you used.

Edited yesterday at 09:39 AM by Scandi

[Dashinka 25,163]

My only addition especially if you plan to file online is to wait a couple of days after the window opens on 8/24/2025 before actually submitting the N400.  Other members have had headaches when submitting the N400 right after the window opens due to archaic dating systems used by federal IT systems.

 

Good Luck!

[MrsAb2021 30]

3 hours ago, Scandi said:

It specifically says this exact thing in the uscis EARLY filing calculator that you used.

Thanks, I didn’t use it. It was screenshotted and posted here for me. Wasn’t aware the calculator existed until yesterday. Learning as we go.

[MrsAb2021 30]

1 hour ago, Dashinka said:

My only addition especially if you plan to file online is to wait a couple of days after the window opens on 8/24/2025 before actually submitting the N400.  Other members have had headaches when submitting the N400 right after the window opens due to archaic dating systems used by federal IT systems.

 

Good Luck!

 

Thanks! Will do. Would you suggest doing it by paper or online for this specific application? Wasn’t sure the best option since this is different than previous applications and we do have a pending I-751.

[Crazy Cat 42,913]

39 minutes ago, MrsAb2021 said:

 

Thanks! Will do. Would you suggest doing it by paper or online for this specific application? Wasn’t sure the best option since this is different than previous applications and we do have a pending I-751.

Online was easy and gave us an immediate receipt and biometrics reuse notice. 

[Scandi 4,238]

55 minutes ago, MrsAb2021 said:

Thanks, I didn’t use it. It was screenshotted and posted here for me. Wasn’t aware the calculator existed until yesterday. Learning as we go.

Okay, you write in the very first sentence in your first post that you used the calculator tool, hence my reply. 

Either way, definitely file online. Much easier and "safer" than filing on paper. You don't have to worry about your application disappearing in the mail, you don't have to wait to get your acceptance letter (NOA1), you get all of your documents straight in your online account etc. You can also upload documents as you go, the entire time your application is pending, as you gather more evidence each month. The online form is also a lot less confusing than the paper form. 

[mam521 2,344]

58 minutes ago, MrsAb2021 said:

 

Thanks! Will do. Would you suggest doing it by paper or online for this specific application? Wasn’t sure the best option since this is different than previous applications and we do have a pending I-751.

It's $50 cheaper if you do it online.  It's easier, too, because you can just upload the evidence - no need to scan, print, bundle, mail and hope it doesn't get lost.  

[Dashinka 25,163]

1 hour ago, MrsAb2021 said:

 

Thanks! Will do. Would you suggest doing it by paper or online for this specific application? Wasn’t sure the best option since this is different than previous applications and we do have a pending I-751.

Online is the most efficient way to do it.  The pending I751 is immaterial as to method of filing.

 

Good Luck!