Time outside the United States for the past 5 years??

[Christi85 86]

Hi all,

I'd be grateful for some input. I've been looking at the application form for N-400, which I'll be filing in the next couple of weeks, and I stumbled on Section 8: Time outside the United States for the past 5 years.

Like a large number of people in this forum, I came to the US as the spouse of a USC, and so I qualify to apply at the 3 year mark.

Needless to say, on year 4 and 5 (counting backwards from the present) I wasn't even living in the US, I wasn't even an LPR yet, so I don't know why they don't have a separate section/sub-question for the many of us who are only applying at the 3 year mark. I was wondering how others in the same position tackled this question when they were not even residents yet 4-5 years ago.

I meet the physical presence requirement for my 3 eligible years more than sufficiently (zero time outside the US on my first year as an LPR, 1,5 month on the second year, and another 1,5 month on the third year), so I'm fine on that front. I just don't know what information to give for 4-5 years ago, if any.

Thank you for any input.

[Shub 78]

Hi all,

I'd be grateful for some input. I've been looking at the application form for N-400, which I'll be filing in the next couple of weeks, and I stumbled on Section 8: Time outside the United States for the past 5 years.

Like a large number of people in this forum, I came to the US as the spouse of a USC, and so I qualify to apply at the 3 year mark.

Needless to say, on year 4 and 5 (counting backwards from the present) I wasn't even living in the US, I wasn't even an LPR yet, so I don't know why they don't have a separate section/sub-question for the many of us who are only applying at the 3 year mark. I was wondering how others in the same position tackled this question when they were not even residents yet 4-5 years ago.

I meet the physical presence requirement for my 3 eligible years more than sufficiently (zero time outside the US on my first year as an LPR, 1,5 month on the second year, and another 1,5 month on the third year), so I'm fine on that front. I just don't know what information to give for 4-5 years ago, if any.

Thank you for any input.

That question confuses a lot of people because it's worded ambiguously.

What they're interested in knowing is what you've been doing since you became a permanent resident.

If you had been a permanent resident for, say, 20 years, they would only want to know about the past 5 years. Since you've only been an LPR for 3 years, just disclose your travel information since the "resident since" date on your green card.

[Christi85 86]

That question confuses a lot of people because it's worded ambiguously.

What they're interested in knowing is what you've been doing since you became a permanent resident.

If you had been a permanent resident for, say, 20 years, they would only want to know about the past 5 years. Since you've only been an LPR for 3 years, just disclose your travel information since the "resident since" date on your green card.

Thank you! Yes, it is worded very ambiguously. That makes much more sense!