N-400 form....

[BritishGuy]

In Part 7 of the N-400 form it asks how many days you've been out of the country for in the past 5 years. Now, what if the applicant is applying under marriage rules (only 3 years needed). Would she still give the total number of days out of the US in the past 5 years (as per the question) or would she automatically 'assume' the form means 3 years?

Confused.....

 

[Pam_Doleo]

BritishGuy, regardless of under what rule you are applying (3 years or 5 years) you have to give the exact amount of days. That will determine your permanent residence in the US. When I had my interview, the officer read out loud the amount of days of each of my trips and asked me to confirm them.

 

[Jackolantern]

That question is inadequately worded; marriage-based applicants should add up the days outside the US only in the past 3 years (you can cross off the 5 and write 3 above or below it).

However, regardless of whether you're applying with the 3-year or 5-year rule, all trips (of over 24 hours) outside the US since becoming a permanent resident are to be listed in the table below that question.