sending naturalization 2 years & 9 months, then move abroad

[Ayumi_Hamasaki 4]

Due to the possibility of my future job placement, I started thinking about me becoming a U.S. citizen before I lose my physical presence requirement.

Here's the scenario.

I've been a LPR since July, 2014. I'm removing conditions in less than two months (April). I'm eligible to apply for citizenship next April (2017).

If I apply in April, 2017 and leave the U.S. immediately but come back for finger-printing, does that affect my eligibility to naturalize? I'll have met my physical presence requirement because I haven't left the U.S. longer than 2 or 3 weeks in the past, totaling maybe 1 or 2 months out of 12 months.

April, 2017 --> N-400

April, 2017 --> after submitting N-400, leave the U.S. temporarily

XXXX, 2017 --> finger print

XXXX, 2017 --> NOA and interview.

Will I be asked why I left the U.S. after I submitted? I'll be able to fly back to the U.S. maybe every 1 or 2 months. Will that suffice? Again, I'll be able to come back for finger-printing and interview. I'll have a U.S. address in the U.S. with my partner. So that's not a problem.

Could somebody identify red flags? If no red flag, has somebody gone in this route?

[aleful 1,905]

hi

you need to disclose to the officer all the trips, including the 2 new ones that you plan to make,

at the interview, you will be reviewing the N400, any new information not on the form must be submitted, so you must disclose both trips, plus the officer will ask for your passport to see all the trips that you have made

you might be questioned or asked about the trips

and then you would have to disclose all the trips made after that and before the oath ceremony and take your passport to the ceremony

they might ask you why have you traveled so much in such little time

one trip is not a problem, not even one trip before the interview and before the ceremony if they are short trips, but so many might mean that they look into it more thoroughly

a couple of weeks here and a couple of weeks there won't matter, but if you are trying to stay for months at a time, there might be room for questioning

to move abroad you should wait until you have your citizenship certificate, visit yes, move abroad not until you are a USC

you would be lying there and that can be an issue

Edited February 27, 2016 by aleful

[JimmyHou 613]

Due to the possibility of my future job placement, I started thinking about me becoming a U.S. citizen before I lose my physical presence requirement.

Here's the scenario.

I've been a LPR since July, 2014. I'm removing conditions in less than two months (April). I'm eligible to apply for citizenship next April (2017).

If I apply in April, 2017 and leave the U.S. immediately but come back for finger-printing, does that affect my eligibility to naturalize? I'll have met my physical presence requirement because I haven't left the U.S. longer than 2 or 3 weeks in the past, totaling maybe 1 or 2 months out of 12 months.

April, 2017 --> N-400

April, 2017 --> after submitting N-400, leave the U.S. temporarily

XXXX, 2017 --> finger print

XXXX, 2017 --> NOA and interview.

Will I be asked why I left the U.S. after I submitted? I'll be able to fly back to the U.S. maybe every 1 or 2 months. Will that suffice? Again, I'll be able to come back for finger-printing and interview. I'll have a U.S. address in the U.S. with my partner. So that's not a problem.

Could somebody identify red flags? If no red flag, has somebody gone in this route?

You have to meet the continuous residency requirement as well as the physical presence requirement. If you move abroad, you'll have to show that it is temporary and that you have not actually broken continuous US residence. If you go into your interview and have no home, job, car, etc. in the US, then the interviewer is going to conclude that you are not residing in the US, which is a requirement for naturalization.

At the interview you will have to disclose all trips you've taken since filing the application as well as any address and employment changes.

if you move abroad

My opinion: there is a reasonable chance of denial, but it's far from a sure thing. My advice would be to not move until you become a citizen.

You say you will move abroad temporarily... if it's a brief move, then apply when you come back. Otherwise you should consider other job options.

Edited February 29, 2016 by JimmyHou

[JimmyHou 613]

Just FYI, I personally know someone who applied (based on the 5 year rule) while he was on a 1 year assignment abroad. He still owned a house and car in the US and paid all his bills. He was denied, but then appealed the decision. During the appeal, his assignment ended and he moved back to the US. He was approved, but I don't know if it was because of the move back or not.