Help with Citizenship

[bobo2000]

Hello

I have some questions on citizenship.

(1) I got my green card aug 2004. When is the earliest date I can apply for citizenship ? Is it aug 2009 or aug 2008 ?

(2) Do I need to be in the US during the process or can I do this from india or can I just come for the finger printing, interview and oath ?

(3) Can I do citizenship from india using some kind of consular process (like in the GC) ?

(3) Do I need a lawyer for this process ?

Thank You

 

[warlord]

(1) I got my green card aug 2004. When is the earliest date I can apply for citizenship ? Is it aug 2009 or aug 2008 ?

- Look at your PR date on your Green Card, you can apply 5 yrs - 90days from that date if work related GC or 3yrs - 90days for Marriage based GCs.


(2) Do I need to be in the US during the process or can I do this from india or can I just come for the finger printing, interview and oath ?

- You need to be living and residing in the US even well before the N-400 or else you will be denied. If you are currently living in India, you need to move back to the US and live here.


(3) Can I do citizenship from india using some kind of consular process (like in the GC) ?

- See above, if found you are living and residing in India it will be denied, not to mention possibilities of GC issues possibly being abandoned. If you have not moved, then remain put in the US and relocate after your have had your official oath ceremony and obtained your US passport.


(3) Do I need a lawyer for this process ?

- Not unless you have a serious concern with anything on your N-400.

 

[bobo2000]

Stupid questions ....

(1) what does "PR" in "PR date" stand for ?

(2) We live in the US currently but my wife wants to move back and forth from India during that time frame for some professional and personal reasons. We will have a US address at that time. I will be in the US. Is that a problem ?

Thanks for your help

 

[howdy_howdy]

1. Permenant Resident Date

2. The rule for eligibility & application for Citizenship is applicable for your
wife too. She needs to satisfy physical presence in the US just like the same
you do before applying for Citizenship.

Stupid questions ....

(1) what does "PR" in "PR date" stand for ?

(2) We live in the US currently but my wife wants to move back and forth from India during that time frame for some professional and personal reasons. We will have a US address at that time. I will be in the US. Is that a problem ?

Thanks for your help

 

[Amicus]

Stupid questions ....

(1) what does "PR" in "PR date" stand for ?

(2) We live in the US currently but my wife wants to move back and forth from India during that time frame for some professional and personal reasons. We will have a US address at that time. I will be in the US. Is that a problem ?

Thanks for your help

Please read the section on eligibility for applying for naturalization on the USCIS webiste and make sure that you/your wife will strictly and individually satisfy all the requirements and plan accordingly. There is a simple flow-chart/algorithm in there.

It is possible to apply for citizenship, if you have stayed outside the US for more than 6mo (but less than a year), but you need to provide proofs of intention to maintain permanent residency. The application still needs to be filed from within the US.

 

[boatbod]

(2) We live in the US currently but my wife wants to move back and forth from India during that time frame for some professional and personal reasons. We will have a US address at that time. I will be in the US. Is that a problem ?

If your wife is also a LPR and wishes to apply for citizenship, she would need to do it before living and working abroad. USCIS really doesn't like people participating in foreign employment unless they have an approved N-470.