Is working abroad a red flag in filing for citizenship???

U

ungas29

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

Im eligible to apply for citizenship this month but I'm in a dilemma if I should disclose that I worked abroad or not..

I was abroad for about 23 months(w/ re entry permit) and during that time I finished school and right after I worked for about a year to help me in my day to day expenses.

My income was low and was not even required to file for income tax but still, the IO might still look at it as a red flag

Im leaning towards disclosing it since im just too afraid of them finding out... but im curious on how they will know that I indeed worked outside the US?

any thoughts?


thanks!
 
It is a red flag, but ...
How long have you been back? This can be used to prove your residential ties.
Did you file taxes in the other country?
 
Working abroad is definitely a red flag for naturalization application and determination of US residency ties. How long ago did you return to US from long absence?
 
i worked abroad from may2005- may 2006..

i was back in the US june 2006..

i was going to apply usign the 4year 1day rule...

and nope i did not file for taxes abroad...


thanks for the reply./.
 
ungas29 said:
i worked abroad from may2005- may 2006..

i was back in the US june 2006..

i was going to apply usign the 4year 1day rule...

and nope i did not file for taxes abroad...


thanks for the reply./.
Click to expand...
Some posters using 4 year + 1 day rule have reported being asked for proof of residency ties during their long absence, so prepared to be asked at interview.
 
ungas29 said:
i worked abroad from may2005- may 2006..

i was back in the US june 2006..

i was going to apply usign the 4year 1day rule...

and nope i did not file for taxes abroad...
Click to expand...

If you did not file taxes abroad, where is the evidence you worked?
The relevant question will be how you supported yourself, and would you have an answer for that?
[EDIT/ADD]: What's the hurry? Could you wait till 5 years are over?
 
Do they really check tax forms from abroad as well if you filed them in the US? ( I guess anything foreign would/should supposed to be on the tax form). Did you work for a big co or just local mom/pop?
 
@vandeluca - They may not check tax forms from abroad, but I would expect the "story" to be consistent.
If the OP goes and says he worked, because he is afraid, he should should be able to show proof.
In that situation, he will need a foreign return, go back file and file back taxes, and that takes care of the issue. Disclosing to CIS without doing this is taking on more trouble.
However, if there were no taxes filed in other country, how will you ever prove working abroad? An affidavit?
The OP was allowed to be away, and that's that. The relevant question will be a) residential ties, and b how he supported himself during this time.
[ Sorry for the generic "he" in the posts. ]
 
I worked in a call center for a US based company, an outsourcing company... it seems that its a big compnay..

Im just being paranoid that the USCIS has a system to find out that one has worked for abroad.. the question on how I supported myself was through my parents...

i thought about just waiting for the 5year - 3 mos to apply.. but i was being optimistic of being approved since I have my fiance waiting for me to bring her here...
 
I am not sure then about the call center-BUT I think working for a US based center entitles you to get ciitizenship immediately if you have GC for marriage...I would say maybve they can know...unless you were truly John Doe.
 
Your time spent abroad will come up for scrutiny. How will account for extra one year after completing your studies ??? Be prepared to answer the question what were doing after studies and did not choose to return to USA. I personally would not apply under 4year 1day rule but will wait for 4 year and 9 months.
 
ungas29 said:
I worked in a call center for a US based company, an outsourcing company... it seems that its a big compnay..
Im just being paranoid that the USCIS has a system to find out that one has worked for abroad.
Click to expand...

Sorry if I sound nosy, but you worked for a call center but did not file foreign taxes? I would think call centers will have good payroll records which go to government.

It is good to be paranoid as you can pre-evaluate some answers, but not good to land up in further trouble because of this. If you disclose it, you should be ready to prove that all your records are correct ... which do not seem to be. First of all, CIS will not naturalize someone who claims not to have paid back taxes - you must have a payment plan. For paying, or for payment plan, you need to file returns. From what I know, they will not let you file taxes older than 3 years unless you go under one of the amnesty programs. And going under amnesty gives you the label of a crook anyway (from what I read). Quite a lot of work cut out if you go that route. Now ... all this may not happen, but if they decide to ask questions, you can not afford to be inconsistent.

I do not like to ask people to lie ;-) But in this case it seems to me you did not work abroad.
 
thanks for all the replies!

i didnt file taxes abroad and for the worldwide taxation in the US.. my income was too low for me to file for worldwide tax so i wasnt required to, however i dont have any proof of that since i dont have paystubs etc..

right now, im just kinda leaning towards just waiting for the 5 years...
 
im just a lil sad and depressed coz i was really thinking that i was going to be ok..

it seems that i have a real complicated issue..

i consulted w a lawyer about this and she stated its a 50/50 shot.. she said working abroad is a red flag and they may ask for some ties to the US in w/c i dont have since i was just a student back then and i dont have any mortgage, lease etc..
 
ungas29 said:
im just a lil sad and depressed coz i was really thinking that i was going to be ok..
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad. It is only 9 more months. Many of us have spent years extra in green card. But after a decade, you will not think much of it.
Was your family in US when you stayed abroad? If yes, that would be one way to show residential ties.
 
My dad was in the US and my mom was abroad.. but they(mom and brother) went to the US on Oct 2006, i came back june 2006..

basing on all you answers, it will just open up a huge can of worms if I do say I worked outside US..

i hate to lie since they may find out and i may get into deeper trouble..
 
If you can withstand the loss of the $675, apply now and see what happens. As long as you tell the truth, the worst case is that you'll be denied but then you'll be eligible to reapply in Feb 2011 (i.e. 5 years minus 90 days after you returned in May 2006), by which time the year outside the US will be irrelevant. Best case is that you're approved and able to sponsor your fiancee this year.
 
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