scottishmike
New Member
Hi all, I'm new to this forum and have a few questions regarding the N-400 process:
I am on a green card which has many more years to run but I want to get my citizenship completed sooner rather than later as it can open the door to more jobs stateside, and for extra reasons detailed below.
First off I work for an oil company in Brazil for just over 6 months a year, I have my eligible time in and out for the 3 years (I am on a spousal sponsored green card). When I initially applied for permanent resident I worked on a ship abroad and this was fully accepted as my line of work, this usually took me away for more than 6 months a year, but a lucky break had me in the US for nearly a full year, hence the catch up on time.
My new company has a Houston office but I am managed from Brazil on the international contract, this means all my salary comes from overseas, I do still pay US tax but they can't deduct social security from me. I did look before to pay a voluntary amount but was told as it is overseas I can't. I have to travel away from home for a month then I am back for a month, the few extra days travelling every time will quickly put me over the time away if I don't do this quickly.
I need to know if the immigration will take my job into consideration if I am delayed in applying, also does anyone know or have experience of holding a foreign business class visa while holding a permanent resident card, I have a UK passport with a Brazillian work visa for two years in it.
With regards to my job does anyone think it will be possible to continue my schedule and go through the process, I have my wife at home to open mail and she can re-schedule if required, but how many times can you do this? I worry that with the process if I hit it badly I will be away for most of the first appointments and possibly many subsequent ones, I can't down tools and fly home at a moments notice as I am required as part of the crew and logistics in finding a replacement for me is a nightmare. If you ask for a rescheduled appointment can you ask for a certain date?
I can't afford 6 months or more off work as nice as my company is I don't think they could afford it, but if I can put together a strong enough arguement I may be able to get a company shift to the Gulf, this works a slightly shorter schedule and getting off isn't such a problem. The issue with the shift comes from the dislike to move between departments, Brazil doesn't like to lose any of their employees, that and all the effort they went though to get me onboard initially means it won't be appreciated. Starting over with a new company isn't an option I would like to pursue as it could easily land me back in this situation again.
When all is said and done, how long does it take to receive a passport? This will I know be the last hurdle before I can head back to work abroad but if I can add it into the argument that I need it and the visa process redone for brazil it may sway them a bit more.
Thanks in advance for any information,
Mike
I am on a green card which has many more years to run but I want to get my citizenship completed sooner rather than later as it can open the door to more jobs stateside, and for extra reasons detailed below.
First off I work for an oil company in Brazil for just over 6 months a year, I have my eligible time in and out for the 3 years (I am on a spousal sponsored green card). When I initially applied for permanent resident I worked on a ship abroad and this was fully accepted as my line of work, this usually took me away for more than 6 months a year, but a lucky break had me in the US for nearly a full year, hence the catch up on time.
My new company has a Houston office but I am managed from Brazil on the international contract, this means all my salary comes from overseas, I do still pay US tax but they can't deduct social security from me. I did look before to pay a voluntary amount but was told as it is overseas I can't. I have to travel away from home for a month then I am back for a month, the few extra days travelling every time will quickly put me over the time away if I don't do this quickly.
I need to know if the immigration will take my job into consideration if I am delayed in applying, also does anyone know or have experience of holding a foreign business class visa while holding a permanent resident card, I have a UK passport with a Brazillian work visa for two years in it.
With regards to my job does anyone think it will be possible to continue my schedule and go through the process, I have my wife at home to open mail and she can re-schedule if required, but how many times can you do this? I worry that with the process if I hit it badly I will be away for most of the first appointments and possibly many subsequent ones, I can't down tools and fly home at a moments notice as I am required as part of the crew and logistics in finding a replacement for me is a nightmare. If you ask for a rescheduled appointment can you ask for a certain date?
I can't afford 6 months or more off work as nice as my company is I don't think they could afford it, but if I can put together a strong enough arguement I may be able to get a company shift to the Gulf, this works a slightly shorter schedule and getting off isn't such a problem. The issue with the shift comes from the dislike to move between departments, Brazil doesn't like to lose any of their employees, that and all the effort they went though to get me onboard initially means it won't be appreciated. Starting over with a new company isn't an option I would like to pursue as it could easily land me back in this situation again.
When all is said and done, how long does it take to receive a passport? This will I know be the last hurdle before I can head back to work abroad but if I can add it into the argument that I need it and the visa process redone for brazil it may sway them a bit more.
Thanks in advance for any information,
Mike
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