4 Years after GC (by work) and laioff

J

Jchicago

Registered Users (C)
Hi
I have been in this country for 13 years and had my GC since 03/18/05. I spent 11 months with my employer after approval and went back to work later for them. My company reduced force end of 2008 and I do not have a job now. I am planning to apply for Citizenship on 12/18/09 (90 days before 5 years). During the first 2.5 years of GC I did not travel too much outside of the country. Probably 2 months in total with trips no longer than 3 weeks. However in my last job (1.5 years) I traveled at least 6 months in total with trips no longer than 30 days to three different locations. I have few questions:
1) Since I do not have a job, how much I could travel outside of US in the next 9 months? Would it be a problem if I take couple 2 months trips to same place? Or how much at most would be ok?
2) Would I have any problem if I do not have a job by 12/18/09 when I am planning to apply?
3) The 5 months processing time counts from the application day (90 days earlier) or from the day I complete 5 years of continues residence?
4) I would appreciate any other recommendation on my status.
Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
1. A couple of trips of 2 months each should not be a problem. But continuous residence is subjective and at the discretion of the interviewer so we can't say exactly how much you can travel. But generally, if you're consistently spending more time within the US than outside, it is very unlikely you will be seen as breaking continuous residence.
2. At this point, employment or lack thereof doesn't matter (except that overseas employment can be a problem, and very long periods of unemployment, like over a year, create the suspicion of illegal income like gambling or working for cash without paying taxes).
3. From when you apply. Some LPRs never ever apply for citizenship, and some apply years after they first become eligible, so USCIS isn't going to start any processing on it until you actually apply.
 
Thanks Jackolantern. It all makes sense. Would it be any implication if one of those trips is just before I am going to submit my application? In other words, I am planning to travel to my home country leaving at the beginning of November and come back just to apply on 12/18/09. Should I wait sometime after come back? if so how long? or should I do my trip earlier? Thanks
 
hey Jchicago,
you can apply on 12/18/09. You will not have a problem. go ahead and take your trip in November.
 
Jchicago said:
Thanks Jackolantern. It all makes sense. Would it be any implication if one of those trips is just before I am going to submit my application?
Click to expand...
If the trips were 5 months each, then you might start to get into problem territory. But not for a couple of trips of only 2 months each. Go ahead and enjoy your traveling.
 
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