Advise on when to file for citizenship

[Mrwho 0]

Hello all,

I wanted to get advise on when to file for citizenship. It's been over 5 years since I became a permanent resident. During my initial border crossing, I was given a period of 12 months to make the permanent move. I permanently moved 11 months later and it's less than 5 years to that date. Would you advise that I file for citizenship now or wait for 5 full years from the date I permanently moved?

Thanks

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

Hello all,

I wanted to get advise on when to file for citizenship. It's been over 5 years since I became a permanent resident. During my initial border crossing, I was given a period of 12 months to make the permanent move. I permanently moved 11 months later and it's less than 5 years to that date. Would you advise that I file for citizenship now or wait for 5 full years from the date I permanently moved?

Thanks

If you received your greencard through marriage you can file right now. If not, the general rule is 90 days before the 5 year anniversary of the date on your greencard. How long did you spend in America during that time? This is straight from USCIS's website>

"Applicants are required to show that they were:

• Physically present in the U.S. for thirty months within the five year period before applying, or (see legal basis)"

https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/continuous-residence-and-physical-presence-requirements-naturalization

Edited to say that it is the date on your greencard that is your start date and how much time you've spent in the US since then.

Edited September 11, 2016 by N-o-l-a

[Mrwho 0]

Thanks-- my greencard was issued a few weeks after initial check in and 10 months before I permanently moved. Since then i,ve been out if the country for 5 weeks total.

[Stevephoto 230]

Thanks-- my greencard was issued a few weeks after initial check in and 10 months before I permanently moved. Since then i,ve been out if the country for 5 weeks total.

Everything that I have read here indicates that the date on your Green Card is what matters. Look at the "Legal Resident Since..." date and go from there. Good luck.

[NikLR 13,227]

You can apply for citizenship 90 days less than your 5 year anniversary as indicated on your green card.