Really confused about "3 year" requirement

[His Glory 25]

My husband and I are hitting the 3 year anniversary but he has only been in the states for about a year and half and he only got his 10 year green card 2 months ago. when does the 3 year requirement for us citizenship start?

[FormerBrit 0]

As far as I know, you have to have been married and living together in the USA. Look at the issue date on his first Green Card - 90 days before the 3-year anniversary that he received it.

General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for naturalization pursuant to section 319(a) of the INA, an applicant must:

• Be 18 or older
• Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
• Have been living in marital union with the U.S. citizen spouse, who has been a U.S. citizen during all of such period, during the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application and up until examination on the application
• Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing the application
• Have continuous residence in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application
• Reside continuously within the United States from the date of application for naturalization until the time of naturalization
• Be physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application
• Be able read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (civics)
• Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...000b92ca60aRCRD

Hope this helps!

[His Glory 25]

Im sorry, huh? He only got one green card. its a ten year one. We are confused about when he can apply for naturalization. We have been married since 2006. WHen do we start counting off the 3 years, on the day he entered the U.S. or the day he got his permanent resident card (green card)? Im sorry im about so thick headed about this thank you for your reply

As far as I know, you have to have been married and living together in the USA. Look at the issue date on his first Green Card - 90 days before the 3-year anniversary that he received it.

General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for naturalization pursuant to section 319(a) of the INA, an applicant must:

• Be 18 or older
• Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
• Have been living in marital union with the U.S. citizen spouse, who has been a U.S. citizen during all of such period, during the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application and up until examination on the application
• Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing the application
• Have continuous residence in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application
• Reside continuously within the United States from the date of application for naturalization until the time of naturalization
• Be physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application
• Be able read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (civics)
• Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...000b92ca60aRCRD

Hope this helps!

[yogib37 3]

you can start to apply whthin 90 days of when he frist recived his 2 year GC.. so soon you can apply

[Jesti 0]

It's 3 years after the day he become permanent resident, of course have to married with the some us citizen in that years.

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

What Jesti said. Look at the date on the green card. It is 3 years from the date that he first became a PR, provided he has been married to the same USC for those 3 years. You can submit the application 90 days prior to that date.

IE: My PR status began May 14,2007, therefore I am eligible as of May 14, 2010 and can apply 90 days before that date.

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

It's 3 years from whatever date he became a PR. So if he became a PR in 08/09, then it's 08/2012. You can send in the application 90 days prior to whatever the date is in 08/2012.

[His Glory 25]

thank you all so much for clarifying that for me!

[nena and lizard 0]

Do you need to prove somehow that you've been "physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years"?

[milimelo 4,413]

Do you need to prove somehow that you've been "physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years"?

Your passport proves that - it's stamped with US admission stamps and it will say how long you have been gone.

[Woodstock10512 0]

It starts on the date his permanent resident was approved.

My husband and I are hitting the 3 year anniversary but he has only been in the states for about a year and half and he only got his 10 year green card 2 months ago. when does the 3 year requirement for us citizenship start?

[visacheck 3]

Do you need to prove somehow that you've been "physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years"?

Your passport proves that - it's stamped with US admission stamps and it will say how long you have been gone.

Does USCIS really have records of your departure dates from the airline companies?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You are also required to provide the dates that you are out of the country - and back up your statements with evidence like passport stamps. You are required to bring your passports with you to the citizenship interview and they review the dates if you are at all close to the limit. If you do not meet the residence requirements but try to 'fudge' the dates by misrepresenting the information you have no way of knowing what resources they do have and can consult (ie. airlines, etc.) so you are playing with fire. Misrepresentation will mean a denial of your citizenship request and may also mean the removal of your green card status and deportation. Is it worth the risk instead of waiting for the months that you need to make sure you qualify? Nope, not even close. If you do not meet the residency requirements don't ask 'how will they know?'. You don't want to tangle with USCIS. Be safe. Tell the truth.