Which travel plan is better, to make sure USC is not jeopardised?

J

JaiGuruDeva

New Member
Hello Everyone,

We have GC for a year now. We are eligible for N470 and might apply for it. At the same time, we are trying to evaluate the options/alternatives we have.

We would like to know your opinion regarding the following plan:

My family(wife and kids) will be abroad on REP, while I will be working for a US company. My company has agreed to let me work from my native country for upto 6 months a year. So, I can EITHER

PLAN A> Travel once every 3 months to my native country,work there for 3 months ad come back to US and work here for 3 months...That will mean that in a year, I make two trips abroad, for 3 months each time. I will have an apartment in US, may not apply for N470 in this case. I will be doing this for 3 years.

PLAN B> Travel to my native country for 5 1/2 months at a stretch. Come back and stay in US for the rest of 6 1/2 months in the year..Again, will apply for N470, but not sure if it will be approved in my case and also have doubts regarding eligibility. If I have N470, will not maintain an apartment in US. If not, will maintain an apartment.

(There has been no travel in my first year after GC and there will be about 4-5 months travel in second year. In the rest 3 years, I will follow either Plan A or Plan B)

Which of the above plans are better from getting USC perspective? In Plan A, I will be out of the country for total 6 months, though not at a stretch. Will that violate any limit? What is the maximum number of days one can be out of US, in the entire 5 years before filing for USC??

Please advice. TIA
 
Plan A is definitely safer than Plan B. With Plan B, you risk having something critical at work, or external events like storms, volcano activity, etc. delay your return travel and push you beyond 6 months.

In either case, you should apply for the N-470. The interviewer's evaluation of continuous residence has subjectivity involved, and having an approved N-470 would practically eliminate any room for subjectivity that could work against you.

What is the maximum number of days one can be out of US, in the entire 5 years before filing for USC??
Click to expand...
Read the Guide to Naturalization. www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf
 
Jackolantern said:
Plan A is definitely safer than Plan B. With Plan B, you risk having something critical at work, or external events like storms, volcano activity, etc. delay your return travel and push you beyond 6 months.

In either case, you should apply for the N-470. The interviewer's evaluation of continuous residence has subjectivity involved, and having an approved N-470 would practically eliminate any room for subjectivity that could work against you.
Click to expand...

JackOLantern,
Thanks a lot for your reply. We really appreciate it!
We also feel safer with Plan A. I have a question though. I Plan A, I will not be out of the country for more than 3 months at a time. Also, I would be maintaining my apartment lease. According to USC rules, if I am out for close to 6 months at a stretch, it is an issue for continuous residency, isn't it? So, why would I need N470?

Bobsmyth and other Gurus, would appreciate if you guys can share your viewpoints too.

Thanks!
 
You don't absolutely need the N-470, but if you qualify for the N-470, why not get it if you can? That would give you more flexibility to stay outside the US a bit longer if things turn up, and eliminate the room for subjectivity that could be used against you. Even if every individual trip is under 6 months, an anal interviewer can still look at your overall travel pattern and other factors to determine that you broke continuous residence. Having the N-470 takes that option away from them.
 
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