N-400 4 yrs after GC

E

eternal_labor

Registered Users (C)
Hi all,

I know that official rule published says that one needs to have completed 5 yrs after getting GC. As it takes 1 year for USCIS to finally adjudicate the N-400 application, would it be ok to file after completing 4 yrs or may be 4.5 yrs.

Appreciate your input.
 
The rule is for non military/non marriage you can file N400's 5 years less 3 months, otherwise you will get denied. You should take a read though the guide to naturalization. http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf (page 22). I would suggest that you also start trying to complete the N400 application form. There are questions about travel (dates etc), that take time to locate all of the information. Also take a look at the thread documents you require for naturalization, and start pulling that detail together as well.
 
No, that is not allowed. USCIS will send your application right back. You can apply for citizenship 4 years and 9 months after you become a permanent resident. Just to be safe, I would wait a week past the 4 years 9 months mark, just so that there's no risk of them sending it back.
 
When USCIS check if if you file too early or not, do they use
the date on the signature line on N-400 form or the date when
they recieved your application?
 
eternal_labor said:
Could you let me know when the counter for 5 year period starts?
Click to expand...

On you rgreen card, there is a date called "Permanent Residence Since".
That is teh day you start counting, assuming, you don't have any significantly long trip outside USA
 
WBH said:
When USCIS check if if you file too early or not, do they use the date on the signature line on N-400 form or the date when they recieved your application?
Click to expand...
They are supposed to use the date they receive it, but some people have reported having the application rejected because the signing date was too early even though it arrived at USCIS at an appropriate date.

They have a load of poorly trained employees that don't follow the rules consistently. You should be aware of that fact already after what yourself and others went through to get the green card. So to protect yourself from their incompetence, ensure that both the signing date and mailing date are after the 5 years minus 90 days, and wait a few days extra so it won't get rejected if they miscount by a couple of days.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top