Continuous residency problem

citizen2008

Registered Users (C)
Hi

I was away for 11 months which usually breaks continuous residency for naturalization purposes. According to the Immigration Law, going abroad for over 6 months may break continuous residency unless I can provide proof that I have maintained ties with the US.

1. I have maintained an apartment ( Name on the Lease )
2. My wife lived here when I was absent.
3. I have a business here.
4. I have not worked in the country I visited.

for 1,2,3 I can provide documentary evidence.

I need suggestions for 4.
How can I show the USCIS that I did not work while I was abroad. I do have papers to show that my business was here and I had income from it.

What else can I do I to show (as proof) that I was not working outside the US?

Thanks Guys.
 
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4. I have not worked in the country I visited.

I need suggestions for 4.
How can I show the USCIS that I did not work while I was abroad.

What else can I do I to show (as proof) that I was not working outside the US?
In my non-lawyer opinion, a bona fide piece of evidence would be;
- an affidavit indicating how you lived (for example "I resided with my family and did not need to pay a rent") and got the funds for your living (for example "I used my bank checkcard, withdrawing the equivalent of so and so many every week in local currency" / "I ate every day at the local McDonald's, see the attached transaction slips showing my US bank card")
- bank statements indicating how you withdrew funds at banks/Automatic Teller Machines (ATM),

It does not prove that you did not work however the bank statements give some credibility to your claim.
 
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Hi

How can I show the USCIS that I did not work while I was abroad. I do have papers to show that my business was here and I had income from it.

What else can I do I to show (as proof) that I was not working outside the US?

All US citizens and resident aliens including permanent residents are required to report all of their income from all over the world to the IRS. You can simply provide certified copies of your tax return to prove that you did not work outside of the USA. Your tax return might include Form 1040 and any other forms that are relevant to your situation but they must not include Form 2555.
 
I was away for 11 months which usually breaks continuous residency for naturalization purposes. According to the Immigration Law, going abroad for over 6 months may break continuous residency unless I can provide proof that I have maintained ties with the US.

Actually the thing you need to prove is that you always intended your trip to be temporary, and thus did not break your US residence by being abroad. Maintaining ties is certainly one way to show this, however its not the only thing you can do. Can you show evidence why you needed to be away? e.g. doctor's letters, medical bills etc?

It sounds to me like you already have a pretty good case. Leaving family and business interests in the US are usually considered pretty strong evidence (unless of course you are in the middle of a divorce!).
 
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