N-400 Travel Dates and Tax Exemption.

[AJJU 103]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to start a discussion about filing Form N-400 (U.S. Citizenship Application) when your situation is a bit complicated — especially if you’ve traveled a lot internationally and also owe taxes to the IRS.

In my case, I’ve had extended trips outside the U.S. over the past few years, and I currently have some unpaid IRS tax debt that I’m working to resolve. I’m not sure how these factors might affect the N-400 process — like eligibility, continuous residence requirements, or potential delays.

I’d love to hear from others who’ve been through something similar:

• How did you handle your tax issues before or during the N-400 process?

• Did long or frequent travels cause any problems with your application?

• Any tips or experiences about explaining these situations during the interview?

Hoping this thread can help anyone else in the same position find clarity and share experiences.

[OldUser 10,790]

For N-400 you need to list all of your trips in the last 5 years (if applying under General Provision).

 

1) Did any of the trips exceed 6 months in the last 5 years?

2) Have you spent at least 30 months in the US in the last 5 years?

3) Do you have a payment plan in taxes owed?

 

Depending on details, you may be ineligible to naturalize.

Edited Monday at 10:20 PM by OldUser

[AJJU 103]

On 10/20/2025 at 5:08 PM, OldUser said:

For N-400 you need to list all of your trips in the last 5 years (if applying under General Provision).

 

1) Did any of the trips exceed 6 months in the last 5 years?

2) Have you spent at least 30 months in the US in the last 5 years?

3) Do you have a payment plan in taxes owed?

 

Depending on details, you may be ineligible to naturalize.

Thank for the prompt reply,

 

I fall in (VAWA) Marriage Based Green Card.

1) Did any of the trips exceed 6 months in the last 5 years?

Answer :  No Trip Over 6 months.

 

GREEN RECEIVED 27 April 2022
    Trips From US                                      TO                                                     Return to US

    19 June 2022                  127 Days = 4 Months 5Days                               23 Oct 2022     

     DAYS SPENT IN US 23 DAYS                       
    15 Nov 2022                    165 Days = 5 Months 14Days                              20 April 2023

     DAYS SPENT IN US 14 DAYS

    9 May 2023                     169 Days = 5 Months 16 Days                             25 Oct 2023

     DAYS SPENT IN US 111 DAYS 3MONTHS 9DAYS

    13 Feb 2024                     76 Days = 2 Months 16 Days                             29 April 2024

     DAYS SPENT IN US 8 DAYS

    7 May 2024                     155 Days = 5 Months 2 Days                             9 Oct 2024

     DAYS SPENT IN US 30 DAYS

    8 Nov 2024                      157 Days = 5 Months 6 Days                             14 April 2025

     DAYS SPENT IN US 195 DAYS 6 MONTHS 13 DAYS 

[AJJU 103]

 

1) Did any of the trips exceed 6 months in the last 5 years?

    The longest Trip was for 5 Months 16 Days.

 

2) Have you spent at least 30 months in the US in the last 5 years?

    TOTAL US STAY 381 DAYS 1Year 1Month From 3 Year 6 Months Since Green Card April 2022

 

3) Do you have a payment plan in taxes owed?

     Yes i have a Payment plan for 36 Months. 

 

 

[OldUser 10,790]

59 minutes ago, AJJU said:

2) Have you spent at least 30 months in the US in the last 5 years?

    TOTAL US STAY 381 DAYS 1Year 1Month From 3 Year 6 Months Since Green Card April 2022

 

 

You need to have at least 18 months total days in the US in the last 3 years to be eligible.

Right now you are not eligible.

 

So if you don't travel internationally for the next 6 months, you'll qualify to apply. But then I would not travel until you become a citizen because you'd be barely meeting requirements and any more or less long trip can make you ineligible.

Edited Friday at 02:53 PM by OldUser