Question about Citizenship - Please advise.

W

wildcard

Registered Users (C)
Hi
I have a question about applying for my citizenship and would appreciate it if the experienced members here can point me in the right direction.

Here are the details

1) I've had my GC for close to 6 years now so I'm eligible.
2) I got my GC through my employer; however I worked for my employer for close to 3 months and then left the same month I got my GC interview approved since I was offered a better job with a much better pay.
3) I got married in 2005, my spouse got her citizenship in 2007 and we've been married since and have two kids both of which are US citizens.

So in this case I have two paths

1) Apply for citizenship based on my completion of 5 years of having a GC.
2) Apply based on being married to a US citizen for 3 years.

I'm a little bit reluctant to go with #1, since I fear that I left my sponsor too early and if that could cause issues during the interview process. #2 seems like a safe way to proceed.

Can someone please advise, after completing the 5 year tenure does it even matter what I put in my application.

Regards
 
In my view, going with either option will be fine. However, if I were in your shoes, I would go with option 2, because I think you will clear the standard and requirements without any complication. You have two kids, and I am not sure what else you and spouse own, which will require proof of marital relationship. What is the month in which your spouse acquired US citizenship?

Applying under 3 year marriage to a US citizen, requirements tend to be a little higher, but I am confident you can meet those without any complication.
 
March 2007 is when she got her citizenship

We have shared bank account
A house, both on the deed
Kids

Not sure what else is needed
 
wildcard said:
2) I got my GC through my employer; however I worked for my employer for close to 3 months and then left the same month I got my GC interview approved since I was offered a better job with a much better pay.
Click to expand...

Did you work for the sponsoring employer for at least one day after GC approval?

Did you obtain the GC via I-485 in the US, or through interviewing at a consulate abroad (consular processing)?

If it was via I-485, how much time passed from I-485 filing to changing your job?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
wildcard said:
I'm a little bit reluctant to go with #1, since I fear that I left my sponsor too early and if that could cause issues during the interview process. #2 seems like a safe way to proceed.

Can someone please advise, after completing the 5 year tenure does it even matter what I put in my application.

Regards
Click to expand...
Either way you apply, your GC history will still be scrutinized by USCIS.
 
Jackolantern said:
Did you work for the sponsoring employer for at least one day after GC approval?

Did you obtain the GC via I-485 in the US, or through interviewing at a consulate abroad (consular processing)?

If it was via I-485, how much time passed from I-485 filing to changing your job?
Click to expand...


The complete process was while I was in the US, via I-485. I think the I-485 process took atleast 2 years if not more to process before gettin gthe GC.
 
I would apply based on the 5 year rule. I don't think you'll have any problems. Being married to a US citizen usually makes the USCIS more forgiving. If you apply based on marriage you need more documents and proof. However, do what makes you feel comfortable.
 
Ok.. thanks everyone for the responses. One more questions. If I file for citizenship now, am I allowed to leave the country before my interview. I need to take a trip to Canada to see my inlaws in March and am contemplating if I should wait until I come back and apply.

Thanks!
 
wildcard said:
Ok.. thanks everyone for the responses. One more questions. If I file for citizenship now, am I allowed to leave the country before my interview. I need to take a trip to Canada to see my inlaws in March and am contemplating if I should wait until I come back and apply.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yes, short trips are fine during the naturalization process.
 
If you file based on marriage and you don't have all the documents in your file at time of interview and it would require a request for evidence N-14, any good adjudicator would switch you over to the regular 5-year rule if there is no issue that would disqualify you from that just to avoid having to write the N-14.

As for filing then travelling, make sure you don't miss an appointment, even for the fingerprints or they may Administratively Close your application after 30 days if you don't contact them and they will do nothing further. After an N-400 is Admin Closed for a year it is dead and you have to re-apply

If you should return home from a trip (international or domestic travel) and find that you missed an appointment and it is within 30 days just contact them and ask to be rescheduled.

If more than 30 days have passed, include a request to reopen your N-400 just in case it has been Admin Closed.

You have one year to ask for reopening of an Admin Closed N-400. There is no form or fee, but merely contact and a simple request within the time limit.
 
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