N470 and naturalization
Hi Rajiv,
Thanks for taking questions.
I am a greencard holder for the last ~42 months now (since jun 2005). I have been in US for most of this period (except for couple of two weeks personal trips). I am taking up an employment position in the asia office of a US multinational. I will have to travel to Asia in Jan 09. I have already applied for the re-entry permit. My question is regarding my naturalization application which I am hoping to file in Jun 2010 (i.e. as soon as my five years as LPR are completed). The company I am joining does not seem to be familar with N-470 process and they have not yet committed to assisting me with the process. My questions are:
a) Assuming that I am not able to get N-470: if I keep traveling back to US every 4-5 months, maintain my US bank accounts, maintain a US house and file US taxes as resident but have employment in Asia, what is the risk of getting citizenship denied? I know this is a subjective question, but if you can tell me based on your experience if the risk is very high, high, medium, low, or very low etc, that will be useful.
b) Can I apply for N-470 even if my company is not sponsoring that process? I understand that at a minimum, I will need an affidavit from the company that lists company's US ownership and nature of my job. Does the letter have to specify expected date of return to US? Or, can it just specify that the currrent job requires me to stay outside US (without committing to any return date)?
c) Finally, assuming that I am able to get N-470, can I apply for citizenship while still employed outside US? I understand that I will have to be physically present in US to submit the application and to attend any interview or biometrics etc. The rules seem to suggest that I will have to "reside" in US after filing the application, but it doesn't say that I have to be physically present in US. Does that mean that as far as N470 is still active, my residency is preserved and I can apply for citizenship? Or, will I have to actually reside in US (with a job, house, family etc.) during the application process.
Finally, before somebody start asking me why do I need citizenship if I am taking a job outside, my goal is to live in US, my both kids are US citizens. I am considering the current job offer because it is a good professional move and is no different than any US citizen who takes up an overseas position for few years.
Thank you very much for your time and service.