Continuous residence, naturalization

[happy_life456 1]

Please explain continuous residence to me for purposes of naturalization.

 

If I take one trip up to 6 months or more, that does break the continuous residence.

 

But what if I take multiple trips within 4 years and 1 day that, when combined, make 6 months?

 

Example:

 

I took a 2 month trip last year, and two short that are 1 month each. (2+1+1=3)

 

If I am abroad now for 3 months, does that get combined with those previous trips and breaks the continuous residence?

 

Please explain.

Thanks 

Edited March 4, 2021 by happy_life456

[aaron2020 11,651]

That's not how it works.

 

6 months combined over many trips across 4 years will not break continuous residency.

 

Any one trip over 1 year will automatically break continuous residency. 

 

Any one trip over 6 months and less than 1 year is presumed to break continuous residency.

Multiple trips look at together could break continuous residency.  A 5 months trip, then a year in the US, and then another 5 months would not break continuous residency as the person is living in the US and taking long trips.  A 5 months trip, a month in the US, and then another 5 months outside the US could break continuous residency as the person appears to be living abroad with a short visit to the US.   
 

[bzbee 93]

Multiple trips of each less than 6 months do not matter. But you must meet the 'Physical Presence' requirement - "Must be physically present in the US for at least 30 months out of the 5-years immediately before the filing of the N-400 application".

   

Quote

"A trip of more than 6 months but less than one year is presumed to break your continuous residence. While a trip 12 months or longer will definitely break your continuous residence."

A single trip of more than 6 months (but less than a year) is considered 'presumed' to break the continuous residency requirement. But you will be given a chance to prove your US residency by providing documentary evidence for the period - rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, insurance (auto, home/renters etc) on that address etc. Continuous employment in the US is also a good indicator.

 

If you are out of the country for 12 months continuously, then you definitely fail the continuous residency requirement. Even if you had a valid reason and they let you back in the country, your 5-year clock starts afresh.