Applying for US Citizenship after GC

[dv2007us]

Does anyone know if one has already been living in the US as a student (on F1) if that time period counts towards the 5 years residency requirement for PR status before applying for US citizenship? In other words, if I got my GC now but I have already been living in the US for 4 years, then can I apply for US citizenship next year to complete the 5 year period (including the 4 years on F1 status) or do I have to stay in the US for 5 years after getting the GC and the previous time period doesn't count?

I have heard it does count but that may be a rumour.

 

[Entermate]

You need to get M-480.pdf and M-476.pdf USCIS publications.
In short word: NO, you cannot use "nonimmigrant time" for citizenship.

 

[Catseyes]

What Entermate wrote is correct.
Your time counting towards the requirement for citizenship ( 3years for marriage to a USC, 5 years for GC ) only starts when you get the immigrant status.
I wish non-immigrant time would count though...

 

[GC-Pending]

What Entermate wrote is correct.
Your time counting towards the requirement for citizenship ( 3years for marriage to a USC, 5 years for GC ) only starts when you get the immigrant status.
I wish non-immigrant time would count though...

How about if you have been in pending status? Does the time you spend in the US while waiting for GC to be approved (sometimes several years) counts towards citizenship?

 

[Catseyes]

I don't think so.
I think it's only from the date you are officially a LPR.