How long can a Permanent Resident travel out the US before applying for citizenship?

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xeaman

New Member
How long can I travel abroad as a Permanent Resident without loosing the right to apply for citizenship? I hold a Green Card since 2006.
I would like to go to New Zealand for a few months and I would like to know how long can I stay there with out affecting my right to apply for citizenship. I traveled to Europe for 7 consecutive months (4 months at the end of 2007 and 3 at the begining of 2008) for work reasons and I filed taxes for that income. Also I had a Careless driving charge on May 2009.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Every time you leave, do not stay more than 180 days.
Do not stay more than 900 days outside during 5 years period.
After you travelled for 7 months, you ll have to wait another 4 years before applying instead of 2011.
 
GCman2005 said:
Every time you leave, do not stay more than 180 days.
Click to expand...
Back to back travel of just 180 days can also be considered break in continuous residency.

GCman2005 said:
After you travelled for 7 months, you ll have to wait another 4 years before applying instead of 2011.
Click to expand...

7 months of travel only presumes a break in continuous residency for which the applicant is given a chance to prove otherwise.
Also, the 4 year +1 day rule is written to only include breaks in continuous residency of over 1 year.
 
xeaman said:
How long can I travel abroad as a Permanent Resident without loosing the right to apply for citizenship? I hold a Green Card since 2006.
I would like to go to New Zealand for a few months and I would like to know how long can I stay there with out affecting my right to apply for citizenship. I traveled to Europe for 7 consecutive months (4 months at the end of 2007 and 3 at the begining of 2008) for work reasons and I filed taxes for that income. Also I had a Careless driving charge on May 2009.
Click to expand...

Was your travel to Europe for a US company? Did you retain residency ties with US at the time?
Also, how long do you plan to go to New Zealand and for what purpose?
 
Hi,

As long as you are under 180 days its technically ok, but these trips can be considered one during N400 interview.

I was in similar situation with 4 back to back trips for a non US company and 550 days out, luckily had a house, car and other ties here so go thru! And all the members on this forum were more than help full all the times.

Was very risky and would not recommend if you are looking to get Citizenship, not worth it.
 
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