Citizenship for an expat with GC

[shikarishambu]

Hi,
I got my GC in Oct 2002. And, I guess that means that I am eligible to file for US Citizenship in Oct 2007.

I am contemplating on taking an expat position starting Sept 2006 (will be placed outside of the US). How will this impact my schedule and chances of US Citizenship? Can I still file for US Citizenship in Oct 2007? And, will there be problems?

TIA

 

[sg_orl]

There're plenty of posts on this issue on this forum and also on the "life after green card" forum. So please search the old threads.

Basically, for citizenship application, you can apply 90 days prior to completing the 5 yrs residency with GC. Read the N-400 application guide at uscis.gov. All visits abroad need to be temporary in nature and you have to reside in the US for citizenship processing.

You may travel and accept a temporary work assignemnt abroad with a clear purpose and ending date. If you do this while your N-400 is under processing, you need to be prepared to fly back to the US on short notices to take care of finger printing, interview and oath. This will be red flag and will invite further scruitny.

You are a PR until you take the oath so all rules regarding maintaining GC apply. If you stay abroad for over 1 yr and < 2 yrs, then you need to take the rentry permit and it will delay the N-400 subtantially. Stays abroad of > 6 mos and < 1 yr are always tricky and up to the officer how he/she wants to exercise his/her discretion.

Best way is to take the citizenship, and then take any employment abroad, then there are no strings whatsoever, you would have to file the US taxes on worldwide income, of course.