When should I apply for US Citizenship?

[Aung 0]

Hello,

              I would like to get some advice on applying for citizenship. It will be three years that I became a resident in November. I am already eligible to apply for citizenship. I applied for 10 years green card and my application is still pending. My question is should I wait to apply for citizenship until after my 10 years green card application is approved or should I apply for citizenship now? Do I have to apply for citizenship during these 90 days or can I still apply for citizenship after November ?

Thank you

[Hypnos 6,579]

You're eligible to file for citizenship +3 years -90 days from the "Resident Since" date listed on your conditional green card.

 

You don't have to wait for your I-751 to be approved first.

[Life is short 8]

if you are a spouse of an american citizen then u can apply for citizenship 90 days before the end of the 3rd year upon your arrival to USA

[jb914 33]

I have been wondering about this too. We won't be at 33 months until July '18, but I-751 processing times are 12+ months, and I doubt current admin will do anything to speed things up, so...

 

In a normal situation, is it better to wait until you have the 10 year GC in hand, before sending out N-400, or to just send the N-400 while I-751 case is still pending?

 

I have read that pending I-751 might slow down the N-400, but I'd also rather not wait an extra 3-6+ months to file our N-400.

Edited August 26, 2017 by jb914

[marcusa 31]

On 8/20/2017 at 2:05 PM, Aung said:

My question is

should I wait to apply for citizenship until after my 10 years green card application is approved or should I apply for citizenship now?

Do I have to apply for citizenship during these 90 days or can I still apply for citizenship after November ?

Thank you

A1: you are eligible for filing N400 as long as your residency meets the 3 years-90days rule (if your green card is based on the marriage to US Citizen ). Renewing or replacing green card doesn't affect your citizenship application, even they are pending or not. 

 

A2: You are allowed to apply for N400 anytime and any year after 3 years-90 days window.

Lots of folks dont want to turn into US citizen immediately until  when their 10-year-old green cards are about to expire. Renewing a green card still cost money and the cost is no big different to the N400 application fee. That's why lots of folks switch to N400 instead of renewing their green cards. Plus, 10 years gives them enough time to decide if they want to become citizens in this country. so, it's a life-change choice.

 

Edited August 26, 2017 by marcusa

[Nikkosan 127]

On 8/20/2017 at 10:43 PM, Life is short said:

if you are a spouse of an american citizen then u can apply for citizenship 90 days before the end of the 3rd year upon your arrival to USA

Could you please support your statement with a link to USCIS official policy?

 

As far as I know, Hypnos provided the correct answer: "You're eligible to file for citizenship +3 years -90 days from the "Resident Since" date listed on your conditional green card." (Source: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-early-filing-calculator)

 

Arrival in the USA and "Resident Since" are two different things, especially for those who have come here on a Fiancée visa and then got married and started the AOS process. Bottom line, one should ALWAYS go with the "Resident Since" date on their green card, as that is what really counts.

 

But hey, happy to be wrong if you can bring forward something official. 

[marcusa 31]

On 8/20/2017 at 4:43 PM, Life is short said:

if you are a spouse of an american citizen then u can apply for citizenship 90 days before the end of the 3rd year upon your arrival to USA

totally wrong.  NOT upon your arrival to USA. 

the residency calculation for Naturilation purpose is based on the date on your green card. 

[Aung 0]

On 8/20/2017 at 3:27 PM, Hypnos said:

You're eligible to file for citizenship +3 years -90 days from the "Resident Since" date listed on your conditional green card.

 

You don't have to wait for your I-751 to be approved first.

      Thank you Hypnos.

[Aung 0]

21 hours ago, marcusa said:

A1: you are eligible for filing N400 as long as your residency meets the 3 years-90days rule (if your green card is based on the marriage to US Citizen ). Renewing or replacing green card doesn't affect your citizenship application, even they are pending or not. 

 

A2: You are allowed to apply for N400 anytime and any year after 3 years-90 days window.

Lots of folks dont want to turn into US citizen immediately until  when their 10-year-old green cards are about to expire. Renewing a green card still cost money and the cost is no big different to the N400 application fee. That's why lots of folks switch to N400 instead of renewing their green cards. Plus, 10 years gives them enough time to decide if they want to become citizens in this country. so, it's a life-change choice.

 

               Thank you very much, Marcusa.

[Haideraaz 19]

i applied and they hold my application until i received  my  green card ,, so technically you can ! but most likely they wont process it ! Good luck 

[Life is short 8]

Thank you all, yes you are right , the start point for calculation is "Resident Since" NOT the "arrival date".

Sorry for providing the wrong answer.

20 hours ago, Nikkosan said:

Could you please support your statement with a link to USCIS official policy?

 

As far as I know, Hypnos provided the correct answer: "You're eligible to file for citizenship +3 years -90 days from the "Resident Since" date listed on your conditional green card." (Source: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-early-filing-calculator)

 

Arrival in the USA and "Resident Since" are two different things, especially for those who have come here on a Fiancée visa and then got married and started the AOS process. Bottom line, one should ALWAYS go with the "Resident Since" date on their green card, as that is what really counts.

 

But hey, happy to be wrong if you can bring forward something official. 

 

19 hours ago, Dee elle said:

Correct... always go fro the date on the GC.

 

Entry into the US for thise who were consular processing  etc willl be the same date,  but those  going through AOS will have a different date. 

 

13 hours ago, marcusa said:

totally wrong.  NOT upon your arrival to USA. 

the residency calculation for Naturilation purpose is based on the date on your green card. 

 

12 hours ago, Aung said:

      Thank you Hypnos.

 

12 hours ago, Aung said:

               Thank you very much, Marcusa.

 

11 hours ago, Haideraaz said:

i applied and they hold my application until i received  my  green card ,, so technically you can ! but most likely they wont process it ! Good luck 

 

Thank you all, yes you are right , the start point for calculation is "Resident Since" NOT the "arrival date".

Sorry for providing the wrong answer.