Naturalization When Outside the US

[Autumnal 25]

My situation in a nutshell: I am a Canadian citizen with US residency/GC through marriage since 2006. I am preparing to file for my naturalization on the basis of 5 years of residency. Currently we live in Chicago. My husband wants to separate and move to another city in Illinois. I may be pushed into a position to look for work back home in Canada, an easier job market for me than IL.

My question: How would getting a job in Canada impact the naturalization process if it's in progress?

- Do I have to live in the US through the entire naturalization waiting period, or could I return for my oath ceremony and interview?

- Am I going to be denied if I am not living in the US at the time of interview?

- Could I use my spouse's address as my American point of contact/address? He has offered this.

- Could I use a post office box for correspondence? (So, for example, if the nearest city to me is Seattle or Detroit or Buffalo, arrange for one of those)

- Is it possible to change address for correspondence midway through the process?

- Would it be possible/better to use the US consulate in the Canadian city I would move to?

Thanks for your help. This is patently a horrible situation I find myself in, and I really don't have much of a choice about where work will take me.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

- Do I have to live in the US through the entire naturalization waiting period, or could I return for my oath ceremony and interview?

The "entire" waiting period is between 1 hour and a month or so. I also don't know what you understand as "living." I think you'll have to think a bit outside the box. Nobody is going to knock on your door while the N-400 process is being adjudicated.

- Am I going to be denied if I am not living in the US at the time of interview?

For the sake of it, I'll translate "living" as "residing" here.

Yes, you need to reside in the US; you can't live in a foreign country far away and apply for naturalization in the US.

- Could I use my spouse's address as my American point of contact/address? He has offered this.

Sure, but only after you changed your address to that one in advance, filed an AR-11 and then waited another 90 days, as required.

- Could I use a post office box for correspondence? (So, for example, if the nearest city to me is Seattle or Detroit or Buffalo, arrange for one of those)

Absolutely not.

- Is it possible to change address for correspondence midway through the process?

It is possible to derail a train at full speed? Sure, but why would you want to try to do that?

- Would it be possible/better to use the US consulate in the Canadian city I would move to?

No, not possible.

Edited June 6, 2011 by Just Bob

[Autumnal 25]

Thank you for the reply. Let me clarify some of your questions.

The waiting period for naturalization which I am talking about is the period of time from when I file to the time I can expect to take the test/interview and oath ceremony. This can take several months per the timelines for people operating out of the Chicago office. During that time, financial circumstances may force me to move back home to Canada to find a job to make ends meet.

I might need to change my address between filing to the interview because, as I wrote above, my spouse and I are separating. It is likely I will have to move before my N-400 is approved. I cannot afford to wait on the N-400 until I know my permanent US address, because I have no idea when things will settle down that much.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Thank you for the reply. Let me clarify some of your questions.

The waiting period for naturalization which I am talking about is the period of time from when I file to the time I can expect to take the test/interview and oath ceremony. This can take several months per the timelines for people operating out of the Chicago office. During that time, financial circumstances may force me to move back home to Canada to find a job to make ends meet.

I might need to change my address between filing to the interview because, as I wrote above, my spouse and I are separating. It is likely I will have to move before my N-400 is approved. I cannot afford to wait on the N-400 until I know my permanent US address, because I have no idea when things will settle down that much.

Hmm - it would seem this isn't the best time for you to apply for your citizenship - although it would be ashame to reset the clock on your continuous residence.

Certainly changing address always confuses USCIS at the best of times, but many folks have had to do it - it's unfortunate for you since slowing the process is even less helpful.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

I might need to change my address between filing to the interview because, as I wrote above, my spouse and I are separating. It is likely I will have to move before my N-400 is approved. I cannot afford to wait on the N-400 until I know my permanent US address, because I have no idea when things will settle down that much.

Change your address now to one that is in the same neighborhood you're living in now. Use a friend's address, file an AR-11 and stick to that 'til the better end. That would eliminate the waiting period.

If you need to . . . , um travel to Canada to look for a job or whatever, let's not call that a move yet. Let's say you still live at the friend's address but have traveled between the interview and the Oath Ceremony. That would not be a deal breaker.

[milimelo 4,231]

Don't know about the current processing times in the Chicago office but last year it took less than 4 months for my naturalization to go through. Even had a nice IO who gave me the next available oath ceremony appointment when I told her about my upcoming travel.

[warlord 72]

Plain and simple, you need to get your citizenship first before moving and residing outside of the US. The only exception would be to move to a border city and commute over to Canada to work, but maintaining your residency in the US.

Doing what you are suggesting, is not only grounds for denial of your N-400, but also puts you in big jeapordy of abandonment of your entire Green Card status as well...

[Autumnal 25]

Thanks for all the information!

Warlord: this isn't a choice I want to pursue, this is the "what if" scenario if I can't afford to stay down here because I'm literally out of options.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Thanks for all the information!

Warlord: this isn't a choice I want to pursue, this is the "what if" scenario if I can't afford to stay down here because I'm literally out of options.

We understand - you're ina tight spot. I think we just wanted to ensure you'd considered everything

[warlord 72]

Thanks for all the information!

Warlord: this isn't a choice I want to pursue, this is the "what if" scenario if I can't afford to stay down here because I'm literally out of options.

Unfortunately the "what ifs" of moving outside the US and working outside the US like that is denial and abandonment of your Green Card and entire status. Once you get your citizenship then you are free to move and live where ever, just not while on a Green Card.

So the best bet would be like I said to try and find a border town like Detroit area or Buffalo or somewhere that there is a place to live in the US, but there is a town or something across the border you could commute to for work. That way you would still be living in the US and satisfying the requirements of the Green Card...

[Autumnal 25]

Well, I *do* have friends who live in Detroit, and I myself am a native to Vancouver, so that would make Point Roberts (living there) and working in Canada a distinct possibility. Point Roberts has perhaps the tiniest border crossing to Canada I have ever seen, and I had not considered trying to find a rental there if it came down to it. Blaine might be another alternative, though trying to negotiate Peach Arch border crossing might be a bit daunting!

Thank you for the advice though. I appreciate it. I have headaches enough.