I applied for citizenship but traveled while the application was in progress. I was gone for 24 months. Now I am back. Then I called the USCIS for information. I was told the case was closed and that I should start the process over again. However, I am worried about the discontinuity of my residency. Are they going to count the five years prior to my leave or this 24-month leave will be included? What do you guys think?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Applied for citizenship but left the country for more than a year
- Thread starter Abdqani
- Start date
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
Reentry permit has nothing to do with the 4 years and 1 day rule. The issue is the time spent outside the US, with or without a reentry permit.I am not sure why you didn't inform USCIS that you are leaving for that long.
Did you get any re-entry permit? If yes then you will have to apply the 4 years 1 day rule. Meaning the day you return add 4 years and 1 day.
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
I applied for citizenship but traveled while the application was in progress. I was gone for 24 months. Now I am back. Then I called the USCIS for information. I was told the case was closed and that I should start the process over again. However, I am worried about the discontinuity of my residency. Are they going to count the five years prior to my leave or this 24-month leave will be included? What do you guys think?
They look back 5 years from the date you apply. If that 24 month period is within the past 5 years, you'll have to wait 4 years and 1 day after the end of the 24 month trip* to rebuild your eligibility (2 years and 1 day if applying based on marriage to a US citizen).
*but if you took any more long trips after the 24-month trip, you may need to wait longer based on the length and end dates of those other trips.
Reentry permit has nothing to do with the 4 years and 1 day rule. The issue is the time spent outside the US, with or without a reentry permit.
Jackolantern, I think reentry permit issue and applying for citizenship has something to do with naturalization. If the OP was out of the country without the reentry permit for such a long time, he lost his status, but he probably can continue to live here, because nobody is going to notice unless he files for citizenship.
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
Jackolantern, I think reentry permit issue and applying for citizenship has something to do with naturalization. If the OP was out of the country without the reentry permit for such a long time, he lost his status, but he probably can continue to live here, because nobody is going to notice unless he files for citizenship.
Yes, the lack of a reentry permit in such situations can negatively affect naturalization in general, but it doesn't affect whether you can use the 4 year 1 day rule instead of the usual 5 year rule.