N-400 early filing after extended absence

[alex_templar 0]

I’m US resident since 01/17/2004

I was outside US for 411 days in 2010-2011 (extended absence).

I was given a notice from USCIS that I can apply for Citizenship on 1/18/2015 (4 years and 1 day following my return).

On 1/18/2015 my physical presence in US during the last 5 years is 796 days (26.5 months).

900 days (30 months) of physical presence in US will be on 5/02/2015

Question 1: CAN I file my N-400 on 02/02/2015 (90-days prior 5/02/2015)?

Question 2: If YES can I travel outside US after Filing and Biometrics or I should stay to collect those 900s by the time of my Interview?

[JimmyHou 614]

Im US resident since 01/17/2004

I was outside US for 411 days in 2010-2011 (extended absence).

I was given a notice from USCIS that I can apply for Citizenship on 1/18/2015 (4 years and 1 day following my return).

On 1/18/2015 my physical presence in US during the last 5 years is 796 days (26.5 months).

900 days (30 months) of physical presence in US will be on 5/02/2015

Question 1: CAN I file my N-400 on 02/02/2015 (90-days prior 5/02/2015)?

Question 2: If YES can I travel outside US after Filing and Biometrics or I should stay to collect those 900s by the time of my Interview?

Not sure if you can apply early. But note that you need 913 days, not 900. Whether that's atbthe time of your interview or at the time you file, I'm not sure.

[JimmyHou 614]

One more thing... If your trip after filing drops you below the required number of days, then you will not qualify at the time of your interview.

My advice:

1- Mail the application only after you've met the number of days.

2- Don't leave after filing if that drops you below the required number of days.

Since you are so close to the physical presence line, I would avoid travel, and if you cannot avoid travel at this time I would wait until you're done traveling before applying for citizenship.