counts toward your time in continuous
“Continuous residence” means that you
residence.
have not left the United States for a long
period of time. If you leave the United
If you return within 2 years, some of your
States for too long, you may interrupt
time out of the country does count. In
your continuous residence.
fact, the last 364 days of your time out of
the country (1 year minus 1 day) counts
What if I was outside the United States
toward meeting your continuous residence
between 6 and 12 months? If you leave
requirement.
the United States for more than 6 months,
but less than 1 year, you have broken
or disrupted your continuous residence
You may file Form N-400 ninety (90) calendar days before you complete your permanent residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a:
• Permanent resident for at least 5 years; or
• Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.
To determine your 90-day early filing date, begin by identifying your 5-year or 3-year date as a permanent resident. For example, if the date on your Permanent Resident Card says “July 4, 2006,” you meet the 5 year permanent resident requirement on
“July 4, 2011.” If you have met all other eligibility requirements, you may file your completed Form N-400 90 days before
“July 4, 2011.” The earliest date you may apply for naturalization would be “April 5, 2011.”
Locate the USCIS Early Filing Calculator on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/n-400. The calculator will help you verify that you file your Form N-400 with USCIS no more than 90 days prior to your permanent resident anniversary date. USCIS will deny your Form N-400 if you file your Form N-400 more than 90 days prior to your anniversary date.
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The continuous residence requirement