Will I have the right to be american citizen ?

[Husam Qatouni]

hellow everyone

I have been looking for such a website that will help answering my questions and finally I found one !

I have a question and hope anyone answer me if he knows


For how long can I stay away from the U.S. after receiving the Green Card and wont affect my situation being an american citizen ?

I am currently studying at the university in the United Kingdom and will need more 5 years to graduate with masters degree.
My question is if i keep going to the U.S. every 6 months and stay there for like coulpe of days , Will i have the right later after 5 years to get the american passport ?

Thanks in advance and waiting for responses.

[susan ward]

Originally Posted by Husam Qatouni

hellow everyone

I have been looking for such a website that will help answering my questions and finally I found one !

I have a question and hope anyone answer me if he knows


For how long can I stay away from the U.S. after receiving the Green Card and wont affect my situation being an american citizen ?

I am currently studying at the university in the United Kingdom and will need more 5 years to graduate with masters degree.
My question is if i keep going to the U.S. every 6 months and stay there for like coulpe of days , Will i have the right later after 5 years to get the american passport ?

Thanks in advance and waiting for responses.

No this will not work


You have to stay in the US for a min of 183 days per year, and file US tax returns. You must be seen as living in the USA otherwise you will loose your green card

You must hold a green card for 5 years before you can apply for citizenship unless your married to a usc , then you can apply for citizenship after 3 years

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by Husam Qatouni

My question is if i keep going to the U.S. every 6 months and stay there for like coulpe of days , Will i have the right later after 5 years to get the american passport ?

No, you need to be physically in the US for at least 30 months of the last 5 years before applying for US citizenship.

[Husam Qatouni]

ok what if i finish my study which is 5 years after and then live in the US for 30 months ?
will my 5 years out of the US because of my study will be included with the 30 months ?

what is the best solution for my situation as a student outside the US ?

thank you all for your help and reponses as well

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by Husam Qatouni

ok what if i finish my study which is 5 years after and then live in the US for 30 months ?

Maybe, if you can hold on to your green card for the 5 years. Which I doubt.

will my 5 years out of the US because of my study will be included with the 30 months ?

Probably not, especially if you aren't maintaining a house/apartment/car/spouse/kids in the US during those 5 years abroad, and you aren't spending the summer months in the US. They'll probably make you wait a full 5 years in the US after finishing your overseas studies. While they are usually OK with people studying abroad for 1 or 2 years, 5 years is really stretching the limits.

what is the best solution for my situation as a student outside the US ?

Study in a US university.

[cafeconleche]

Well, I'm a student outside the US, but I have been going back to the US every 3-5 months. I am in a 2 year programme, too, so the 5 years you need seems quite difficult to juggle. However, if you apply for a Re-entry permit a couple of times, it may work. You do have to be in the US when you apply, though.