gcny

This happened in my family member's case also (Regular). She applied on 3/27 at USPS but the status was "Not Available" till 5/3 ( more than 5 weeks) and then it changed to "In Process" with a case number. I would suggest you call their helpline , but wait times are long (4-5 hrs) and speak with a representative or email them. Alternately, you could contact your senator or congressman with your case details on their respective website. There is another passport forum where you get more info also....https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/usa/1752928-current-us-passport-wait-merged-threads-87.html

4 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

That's all fine and good if OP's wife is performing "qualifying honorable service" on the vessel. From the way OP wrote their post, it sounds as though they simply want to travel with the vessel and use that time as meeting residency requirements.

4 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

Yes, you're right.

1 hour ago, gcny said:

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-3 

 

 

On  deeper review of the manual, the OP maybe in luck as shown below....

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-5

3. Service on Certain U.S. Vessels

Any time an LPR has spent in qualifying honorable service on board a vessel operated by the United States or on board a vessel whose home port is in the United States will be considered residence and physical presence within the United States. ^[27] The qualifying service must take place within five years immediately preceding the date the applicant files for naturalization.

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

 

 She has to be a lawful permanent resident for 3 years, and 18 months of physical presence in the USA before she can become a US citizen. Logging 3 years of physical presence alone will not get her a US passport. She needs to become a US citizen first by filing N-400. Which she can do 90 days before her 3 year anniversary as an LPR.

 

Yes, yes.

 

Even includes Guam and CNMI.

 

It does not include American Samoa. American Samoa is not the USA, even though American Samoans are US nationals and have fast path to US LPR and citizenship statuses.

 

If she decides to live in Hyder Alaska, I hypothesize she will have challenges as despite Hyder being part of the USA, travel from Hyder to the rest of the USA requires going through USA passport control. Thus proving physical presence will be a challenge. I am interested in the experiences of LPRs who live in Hyder.

 

If she decides to live in the territories, she will need to maintain a habit of keeping her green card with her, as CBP is known to set up internal check points at domestic airport terminals and concourses in the territories and on domestic flights departing for the territories. CNMI / Guam is a special case because there is an extended visa waiver for foreign visitors, thus implying that flights from Guam / CNMI to the rest of the USA will, like flights involving Hyder, experience passport control. 

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-3 

FYI, the N400 policy manual explains situations  where certain cases of living overseas maybe acceptable but doesn't mention about ships, etc.

Just now, gcny said:

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-3 

 

FYI, the N400 policy manual explains situations  where certain cases of living overseas maybe acceptable but doesn't mention about ships, etc.

D. Preserving Residence for Naturalization (Form N-470)

Certain applicants[28] may seek to preserve their residence for an absence of 1 year or more to engage in qualifying employment abroad.[29] Such applicants must file an Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes (Form N-470) in accordance with the form instructions.

In order to qualify, the following criteria must be met:

The applicant must have been physically present in the United States as an LPR for an uninterrupted period of at least 1 year prior to working abroad.

The application may be filed either before or after the applicant’s employment begins, but before the applicant has been abroad for a continuous period of 1 year.[30] 

In addition, the applicant must have been:

Employed with or under contract with the U.S. government or an American institution of research[31] recognized as such by the Attorney General;

Employed by an American firm or corporation engaged in the development of U.S. foreign trade and commerce, or a subsidiary thereof if more than 50 percent of its stock is owned by an American firm or corporation; or

Employed by a public international organization of which the United States is a member by a treaty or statute and by which the applicant was not employed until after becoming an LPR.[32]