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How does time spent outside of the USA effect citizenship waiting time?

By CitizenJ in US Citizenship General Discussion

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CitizenJ Explorer

CitizenJ   5

Posted
Filed: Country: China
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Posted

My wife came to America on an IR1 visa and shortly after received her green card. She and I stayed in America for 2 years and 4 months from that time before returning to her home country of China

 

 

Is it true that "the clock will keep ticking" for an additional 6 months before "pausing"?  I've been told that an individual who holds a green card through marriage will have to hold that green card for 3 years before being able to apply for citizenship and that, the time that the green card holder spends outside of the USA will count towards the 3 year waiting period, given that the time spent outside of the USA does not exceed 6 continuous months. Is that still true? Or was that ever true? After the green card holder spends more than 6 continuous months outside of the USA, I'm assuming that any additional time spent out of the country will not count towards the 3 year waiting period but, my question is, will the green card be put on hold permanently or will it eventually "expire"? If so, how long would the green card holder have to continuously reside outside of the USA for that to happen?

 

timeline in layman's terms:

Submitted I-130 (in person) - September 16th, 2014

I-130 Approved - November 12th, 2014

Received an e-mail prompting me and my wife to complete form DS-260 and submit some documents to a bank (NOA2?) - November 28th, 2014

Submitted documents to bank - December 4th, 2014

Received an e-mail instructing me and my wife to schedule an interview appointment - December 18th, 2014

Unlockable Mentor

Unlockable   7,322

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

Yes the time outside of the US can be counted against eligibility for citizenship.

 

You should also know that the green card is NOT "put on hold". You a permanent resident stays too long out of the US they will be deemed to have abandoned their residency and the green card is revoked. Meaning they will no longer be a permanent resident.

 

Unless you are only out of the US  for a couple of days or a couple of weeks all time can be counted against eligibility of citizenship. You can do a search here. There have been numerous people who have been found ineligible to apply for citizenship due to spending too much time out of the US.

“When starting an immigration journey, the best advice is to understand that sacrifices have to be made... whether it is time, money, or separation; or a combination of all.” - Unlockable

Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,894

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to US Citizenship Discussion.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

July 23, 2025:  Filed N-400 online

 

CitizenJ Explorer

CitizenJ   5

Posted
Filed: Country: China
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted
On ‎10‎/‎7‎/‎2017 at 6:40 PM, NuestraUnion said:

Yes the time outside of the US can be counted against eligibility for citizenship.

 

You should also know that the green card is NOT "put on hold". You a permanent resident stays too long out of the US they will be deemed to have abandoned their residency and the green card is revoked. Meaning they will no longer be a permanent resident.

 

 

Do you know the time periods for either of these 2?

timeline in layman's terms:

Submitted I-130 (in person) - September 16th, 2014

I-130 Approved - November 12th, 2014

Received an e-mail prompting me and my wife to complete form DS-260 and submit some documents to a bank (NOA2?) - November 28th, 2014

Submitted documents to bank - December 4th, 2014

Received an e-mail instructing me and my wife to schedule an interview appointment - December 18th, 2014

NigeriaorBust Grand Master

NigeriaorBust   4,087

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

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

 

 Your issue may be the requirement that you reside in the jurisdiction that you file in for at least 3 months prior to filing. 

This will not be over quickly. You will not enjoy this.

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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