can I wait to file?

[Visahelp1 0]

Hello friends,

This board has given me invaluable information, so thank you. my wife and I are 6 weeks into our "file for naturalization" period. However we don't have the money due to some circumstances out of our control, My question is are we allowed to wait to file for citizenship? if so how long? currently she has the permanent resident 10 year green card and we are just about to hit the "the 3 year resident since date"(based on marriage) but we cannot afford the payment for the N-400. so how long can we wait to file for citizenship? or do we have to file now if we want her to have citizenship? we were hoping in a year or 2 we could file, but would that change the whole process?

thank you for your reply's they are very appreciated

Ryan

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Filing for naturalization is totally optional.

Many people never file because they either do not want to lose their original citizenship (as it would be the case for you as a Ruski) or because they don't feel comfortable taking the Oath of Allegiance, among various other reasons, having to file tax returns for life no matter where one lives being one of them. Others file after being a resident for 25 or 30 years.

So you have until the rest of your natural life to file or not to file.

A good idea it would be to file before you have to spend $450 on replacing your current Green Card in 2020 though. Until then, take it easy and stay out of trouble. You can live in the US as a resident until the day you die, unless you get busted for some serious crime.

Edited June 22, 2011 by Just Bob

[Visahelp1 0]

Wow "Just bob", you have made my night, I am so relieved. thank you for your advice, it seems like I couldn't find any where on the internet if I could file for naturalization another time. the emphasis seems to be that one must file as soon as possible or one wont be able to become a citizen.

[Neonred 3,445]

FYI she will not lose her Russian citizenship if she gets her US citizenship. Bob is wrong.

[NickD 202]

Have to agree with Bob on this subject, for one thing, if you wait for the five year application for citizenship, your application and process will be a huge amount easier. While that civics test you have to study claims the greatest advantage of becoming a US citizen is the right to vote, feel most of us will agree the greatest advantage of becoming a US citizen is freedom from the USCIS. Let's be honest now.

During our last state electron, voter turn out was only 17%, even for major elections, lucky to hit 50%. For one thing, its always on a Tuesday when everyone has to work, and if we have a major snowstorm, you are spending those couple of free hours just trying to get home. Wife couldn't vote if she wanted to, was on call and had to be at work, no compensation for that.

You pay FICA taxes either way, LPR or US citizen, but may get disability benefits if over 55 if SS is still around as a US citizen. One thing I hear about our huge state deficit is money paid out for Medicaid to children of illegal parents that automatically are US citizens because they were born here. Don't believe you can get away from that since you brought your wife here legally and you had to sign that I-864. Another advantage of US citizenship, frees you of that I-864. While our state is deporting the husband, the key supporter of those illegal families, they leave the mom here to take care of those kids. Another way to stay in this country.

Ha, wonder about bringing a gal here illegally, can't deport you, because you are a US citizen, nor here, since she is needed to take care of those kids. Just bring her here and have a bunch of kids.

If you can get a coffee can and somehow drop in a buck a day, the amount of money you pay for a candy bar that use to cost a nickel, in two years, will have enough money for the fees. But that is provided the USCIS doesn't raise them again. They never had increases like what our government lies about what our actual inflation is, like now, zero per cent. But tend to more than double the fee cost.

But our greatest cost was not the fees, even at the current way under IRS mileage rate was over 700 bucks on non-deductible driving. Then an addittion six days off of unpaid work for those many trips we had to take. By all rights, should have stayed in a motel, but really pushed it. But the price one has to pay to get freedom from the USCIS.

My biggest disappointment, thought we would be free from dealing with my wifes' home country corrupt consulate to maintain both her citizenship and passport for that country so she could visit her mom. Fought this like crazy with the DOS and my senator, but got nowhere. Oath wants full allegiance to this country, but won't let you do it with another law. Feel our government is loaded with hypocrites, and yes, I told them this to their face. Just said, we are sorry.

[Visahelp1 0]

Hello again friends,

Just bob mentioned I could file for citizenship anytime I wanted, preferably before the 10 year green card expires,But mr nick, you mentioned something about a 5 year deadline/time-frame. so Must I file at specific time to get citizenship? or can i apply and get it at any time during my 10 green card?

Thank you for your answers they help so much.

[NickD 202]

Hello again friends,

Just bob mentioned I could file for citizenship anytime I wanted, preferably before the 10 year green card expires,But mr nick, you mentioned something about a 5 year deadline/time-frame. so Must I file at specific time to get citizenship? or can i apply and get it at any time during my 10 green card?

Thank you for your answers they help so much.

Was saying if you wait five years from the initial date on your green card, well 90 days before that date before sending in your application, that MINIMUM date is a heck of a lot simpler than the MINIMUM marriage date. Don't need all that marriage stuff. But these are the minimum dates you can apply. No such thing as maximum dates with the N-400 or don't even have to apply at all.

Now with your green card, those dates you have to watch very carefully so you are here legally. There, you have maximums.

[Visahelp1 0]

Thank you mr nick,Just bob,and neonred, You are the reason this website is so effective. I appreciate your help very much.

Thank you.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

FYI she will not lose her Russian citizenship if she gets her US citizenship. Bob is wrong.

Well,

formally you are correct, kind of, actually no. It's more like a don't ask, don't tell kind of thing with Russia.

Russia does only "allow" dual citizenship with countries it has a treaty with. The USA is not among those . . . um . . . 2 countries, however.

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,4565c2258,465467da2,3ae6ab3540,0.html

Just because someone holding a Russian passport does not have to prove anymore that they do not have another citizenship, doesn't mean that Russia is okay with it.