US Citizenship

[suga_78 0]

I married my husband in March 2014 and received my GC in July 2014. I arrived in the US on a L1 visa. My question is, when can I apply for citizenship if I choose to? My GC is for 2 years. Does my first year in the US on L1 visa count?

Thanks.

[MiaPA 12]

I believe it is 3 years from when you became a resident, it is listed on your green card. So date you became a resident plus 3 years.

[Dario2012 51]

I married my husband in March 2014 and received my GC in July 2014. I arrived in the US on a L1 visa. My question is, when can I apply for citizenship if I choose to? My GC is for 2 years. Does my first year in the US on L1 visa count?

Thanks.

Your first year on L1 visa will not count towards residency requirements for naturalization. Given the dates you listed, the earliest you're eligible to file N-400 will be April 2017. Provided as well your husband will have been a U.S. citizen for 3 years at the time you apply.

[Morganalmonshid94 84]

Actually you are capable of applying 3 months (90 days) if you still meet all the requierments before the 3 year mark . So if you have a conditional green card (2 yrs) you will wait that two years out . Remove the conditions 90 days before that two years and get a ten year green card then wait 9 more months and you are able to .

Long story short if that got confusing you only need to wait 2 yrs and 9 full months not the full three years before you are able to apply .

[JimmyHou 610]

I married my husband in March 2014 and received my GC in July 2014. I arrived in the US on a L1 visa. My question is, when can I apply for citizenship if I choose to? My GC is for 2 years. Does my first year in the US on L1 visa count?

Thanks.

The year on the L visa does not count.

Look at the date on your green card. It'll say Resident Since.

If you are applying based on marriage to a USC (which allows you to apply 2 years earlier than everyone else) then take that Resident Since date, add 3 years and take away 90 days. That's when you can apply if:

- You have been married for 3 full years on the day that you file

- Your husband has been a US citizen for 3 full years on the day that you file

If you are not applying based on your marriage, then it's 5 years - 90 days.

Note that if you have a 2 year green card, you will need to file for removal of conditions (apply for your 10 year green card) within 90 days of the expiration of your current green card (you'll need to file for this before you file for citizenship).

Edited May 14, 2015 by JimmyHou

[suga_78 0]

Thank you everyone!! This was very helpful, I don't need to worry about this for a while

[yanno 3]

2 years 9 months which in your case should be around April/May 2017.