N-400 help?

[vivilove 0]

Hello all,

I'm currently a GC holder through marriage with USC and about to fill my N-400.......After studied days online I'm still confused....

On PART 9: List all the trips during the last 5 years. I saw another similar question asked on the forum and people were saying cross the 5 years and change to 3 years since it's through marriage. The reason I'm asking because I became permitted resident in Dec of 2012, since 2013 I've traveled 5 times totaled a little over 200 days. That's over 6 months outside US. But if I backcount 3 years since July 2016, then I don't need to write down my 2013 trip, which took 2 months and I will be under 6 months travel time. So my question is should I only put the past 3 years trip instead of 5 years? and If so should I count from this year?

[joglen1210 10]

just count the trip you made since you were granted a green card. thats what i did and did not have a problem. i made several trips to asia and canada and it totaled 60 days. there may be other people who have opinions. good luck

[arken 4,197]

You are worrying for nothing. Your total stay outside US in last few years is just over 6 months. In 5 years, even if your total months outside US is say 25 months, it would be fine if you have not stayed for more than 6 months in any single trip. Only if you have stayed outside for more than 6 months in a single trip. then you might be required to provide additional evidences of maintaining US residence. FYI, mine also is way more than 6 months in last 5 years.

It's up to you whether you wanna go thru 5 years or 3 years rule. Others have said you don't need to prove lots of evidences of marriage if done through 5 years.

Edited July 6, 2016 by arken

[Cheezees 1,514]

200 days is not a problem at all. However, the decision to use 3 years vs 5 years depends on if you are still married to your US spouse.

a) If you are still married to the same US spouse, you should calculate the time in the last 3 years.

b) If you are divorced (or did not obtain residency via a spouse, or you are married to the same US spouse but it has been more than 5 years since obtaining permanent residency), calculate the time in the last 5 years.

Good luck!