To all people with experiences with INS,
I want to know how soon i can apply for Citizenship based on my background info:
I got my GC in Sept 1996. I stayed in US for a month and a half and went back to my native country in Oct 1996 on a Re-entry permit of 2 years. I re-entered US in Sept 1998 for a brief period of 3 weeks just to keep my GC alive. I again applied for Re-entry permit just before i left US in Oct 1998. After 2 yrs outside again, i came back to work here in US in Oct 2000. Eversince then i have lived here continuously. SO basically it is like :
Sept 17 1996 - Got GC
Oct 13 1996 - Left US on Re-Entry Permit of 2 years
Oct 10 1998 - Re-Entered US
Nov 1 1998 - Left US on another Re-Entry Permit of 2 years
Oct 29 2000 - Re-entered US and stayed here permanently
I had been outside of US for almost 4 yrs after i got my GC since i was in College back in my native country ,persuing a BS which i didn't want to abandon. Now i am desperately seeking citizenship as my would be wife can't come here due to the fact that iam just an LPR. It takes 4-5 yrs for her to join me . Thats why i wanted to know how early i can apply for Citizenship.
Based on what was said on INS site and on this forum, since i had a re-entry permit, i should be eligible for Citizenship 4 years and 1 day starting from Oct 2000. I wanted to confirm this fact , and also wanted to know if i could have any problems during my citizenship application since i was outside US initially for a long period. I can prove my reasons for being Outside (My BS degree that i acquired during that period). Also , i have paid my taxes on time regularly since 2000.
Could any one knowledgeable about INS rules please tell me if my case is complicated enough to warrant a lawyer when i go for citizenship application? Besides do you see any problems if any?
I have been getting conflicting views from people- Some say that i can apply only in Oct 2005( after 5 yrs), and some say that i should have filed my taxes during 1996 -1999 (when i was outside of US). Right now, i can't think of waiting until 2005 and beyond to get my Citizenship. I don't want my fiancee to wait that long to join me here. The sad thing is , there is nothing in INS law that allows the wife of a GC Holder to come and stay with you. Getting an non-immigrant visa is the only option, but getting that is not being easy either.
I would greatly appreciate responses and views from people on this forum.
Thanks.
I want to know how soon i can apply for Citizenship based on my background info:
I got my GC in Sept 1996. I stayed in US for a month and a half and went back to my native country in Oct 1996 on a Re-entry permit of 2 years. I re-entered US in Sept 1998 for a brief period of 3 weeks just to keep my GC alive. I again applied for Re-entry permit just before i left US in Oct 1998. After 2 yrs outside again, i came back to work here in US in Oct 2000. Eversince then i have lived here continuously. SO basically it is like :
Sept 17 1996 - Got GC
Oct 13 1996 - Left US on Re-Entry Permit of 2 years
Oct 10 1998 - Re-Entered US
Nov 1 1998 - Left US on another Re-Entry Permit of 2 years
Oct 29 2000 - Re-entered US and stayed here permanently
I had been outside of US for almost 4 yrs after i got my GC since i was in College back in my native country ,persuing a BS which i didn't want to abandon. Now i am desperately seeking citizenship as my would be wife can't come here due to the fact that iam just an LPR. It takes 4-5 yrs for her to join me . Thats why i wanted to know how early i can apply for Citizenship.
Based on what was said on INS site and on this forum, since i had a re-entry permit, i should be eligible for Citizenship 4 years and 1 day starting from Oct 2000. I wanted to confirm this fact , and also wanted to know if i could have any problems during my citizenship application since i was outside US initially for a long period. I can prove my reasons for being Outside (My BS degree that i acquired during that period). Also , i have paid my taxes on time regularly since 2000.
Could any one knowledgeable about INS rules please tell me if my case is complicated enough to warrant a lawyer when i go for citizenship application? Besides do you see any problems if any?
I have been getting conflicting views from people- Some say that i can apply only in Oct 2005( after 5 yrs), and some say that i should have filed my taxes during 1996 -1999 (when i was outside of US). Right now, i can't think of waiting until 2005 and beyond to get my Citizenship. I don't want my fiancee to wait that long to join me here. The sad thing is , there is nothing in INS law that allows the wife of a GC Holder to come and stay with you. Getting an non-immigrant visa is the only option, but getting that is not being easy either.
I would greatly appreciate responses and views from people on this forum.
Thanks.