Employment outside USA after 4 years of GC

S

SFOtoBeijing

New Member
I am a citizen of India, I received my Green Card in Jan of 2005 ( I have 4.2 years of continuos stay in USA). I am planning to take up a job in China starting in April of 09 for 2 years. Please help me answer my questions

1) Will leaving the United States to work outside diminish my chances of getting a citizenship in the United States.
2) If the answer to Q1 is a no, can I file for my citizenship from China
3) if the answer to Q1 is a yes, what are the steps I need to take to preserve my Green Card.

Thanks,
Sriram
 
SFOtoBeijing said:
I am a citizen of India, I received my Green Card in Jan of 2005 ( I have 4.2 years of continuos stay in USA). I am planning to take up a job in China starting in April of 09 for 2 years. Please help me answer my questions

1) Will leaving the United States to work outside diminish my chances of getting a citizenship in the United States.
2) If the answer to Q1 is a no, can I file for my citizenship from China
3) if the answer to Q1 is a yes, what are the steps I need to take to preserve my Green Card.

Thanks,
Sriram
Click to expand...

1) Yes, unless it is a US company (or branch of a US company in China) and you get your N-470 approved before.
2) No
3) Reach 4yr, 9 mo of continuous stay, apply for citizenship, become a citizen and then go.
 
I agree with sarrebal on answers 1,2 except answer 3 does not relate to the the OP's question of preserving GC.

To preserve GC status you must file reentry permit before you leave to China.
 
Bobsmyth said:
I agree with sarrebal on answers 1,2 except answer 3 does not relate to the the OP's question of preserving GC.

To preserve GC status you must file reentry permit before you leave to China.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but I think 2 years is too long even with a re-entry permit, right?
 
Even with a re-entry permit, you would still need to show your ties to the USA and that you didn't establish residence overseas.

In the "list of documentation" section of the guide to naturalization, USCIS requires the applicant to send rent/mortgage payment receipts and tax transcripts for the last 5 years along with the N400 application if they had at least one trip overseas that lasted 6 months or longer.

The re-entry permit is merely a passport that gets you into the USA after a trip lasting 6 months or longer.

Bottom line, to maximize your chances of getting approved for naturalization, you will need to have both N470 and a re-entry permit. Also, it's advised that you visit the USA at least once every 4-5 months. Also, you will need to continue to file Federal tax return as a US resident and maintain a valid driver's license, bank accounts, credit cards ..etc.

That is exactly what I have been doing. My intent is to return to the USA once my assignment overseas is over, which will happen late this year.

if you work for a non-US based company overseas then forget about citizenship. You won't be able to secure a N470.

if your intent is to establish residence overseas while keeping your green card then it won't work and you will get caught eventually. USCIS are being very strict with citizenship applicants.

Good Luck.
 
I have a question to the experts here. Would a re-entry permit work against you during the filing for natz? Considering that continuous residence must be maintained until oath, a re-entry permit means that the applicant intends to be out of the country for a long period of time. Do you see the problem here?
 
Filing for a reentry permit itself has no effect on naturalization eligibility. What can have an effect on your chances for naturalization is how long and/or how often you are outside the US, regardless of having a reentry permit or not.
 
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