Part 7A of N-400 Based on Marriage to USC

[itiswritten 0]

Hi,

I am applying for citizenship after 3 years as a permanent resident based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. Part 7A of Form N-400 asks me to list the number of total days I have spent outside the U.S. in the past 5 years. Since I am applying after 3 years of being a permanent resident based on marriage, not the standard 5, should I list the total days out of the country in the past 3 years, or the past 5 years, as the question asks? And if the answer is 3 years -- do I somehow note that on the form?

I have gone through all the forums and have read conflicting information about this question. Could someone with experience in this area steer me in the right direction? A link to an authoritative source would be most helpful as well.

Thank you so much!

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi,

I am applying for citizenship after 3 years as a permanent resident based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. Part 7A of Form N-400 asks me to list the number of total days I have spent outside the U.S. in the past 5 years. Since I am applying after 3 years of being a permanent resident based on marriage, not the standard 5, should I list the total days out of the country in the past 3 years, or the past 5 years, as the question asks? And if the answer is 3 years -- do I somehow note that on the form?

I have gone through all the forums and have read conflicting information about this question. Could someone with experience in this area steer me in the right direction? A link to an authoritative source would be most helpful as well.

Thank you so much!

You enter the number of days outside the US since becoming a LPR. That can be a minimum of 2 years 275 days. If you are applying and you have been a LPR for more than 5 years then use the last 5 years, otherwise use from LPR date on your GC to today, You must remember that this form is used by sereral different types of applications. So you need to read in there "Time outside the US since becoming a LPR or the last 5 years, which ever is shorter." Think about it this way, before becoming a LPR does that time ouside the US matter for the purposes of becoming a US citizen. You indicate it on the form with first your A# as they will pull up your immigration file and see it is based on marriage and second in Part 2 when you select "B" based on marriage to a USC and three years as a LPR.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited March 22, 2012 by Dave&Roza