Please help - confused

[tristana 0]

Hi, guys

Our friend has a dillemma. He lived as a permanent resident in USA for 15 years without ever leaving to another country. Last year he separated with his wife and left the country for 6 or a little less months then came back for a month and left for another 5 months. Now he is here again and we try to see if he is eligible for citizenship. Can he wait for 3 months now then apply? Is 6 months requirement is per year or per trip?

Please help because I never had the expirience with it and want to help him.

Thanks in adavnce!

[v333k 59]

Hi,

The 6 months rule is per trip. As long as it is not 6 months, then your friend is eligible now to apply for naturalization.

Just to give you a quick background, there are two rules:

1. Continuous residency: no trips 6 months or longer

2. Physical presence: do not leave the US for 30 months in the past 60 months.

Here is a naturalization guide that you can check and verify the eligibility

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

HTH

[tristana 0]

Thanks much!

Does that matter if he also applied for Travel pasport/reentry permit?

I appretiate your help

[v333k 59]

It shouldn't. The reentry permit will matter if the trips took longer than 6 months...