Physical Presence in the State of Residence before applying

A

ain5053

Registered Users (C)
Hello all!
USCIS states:
"Immediately preceding the filing of an application, or immediately preceding the examination on the application if the application was filed early pursuant to Section 334(a) of the Act and the three month period falls within the required period of residence under Section 316(a) or 319(a) of the Act, has resided, as defined under § 316.5, for at least three months in a State or Service district having jurisdiction over the applicant's actual place of residence; (Amended effective 11/28/2011, 76 FR 53764)"

I have been a resident of Pennsylvania for almost 10 years. I will be applying for naturalization in April (3 months from today).

There is a possibility I will need to relocate to another state for work between now and then. Will I need to then wait to have lived 3 months at that new state and become resident of that state to fulfill my "physical presence" requirement? Or is there a way for me to remain the resident of Pennsylvania and still fulfill "physical presence" even though I will be out of state?

This rule seems very irrational to me..
 
It's not a physical presence requirement, it's a residence requirement. Once you're a resident of the state you can take short trips out of the state or out of the country during the 3-month residence period.

There is a possibility I will need to relocate to another state for work between now and then. Will I need to then wait to have lived 3 months at that new state and become resident of that state to fulfill my "physical presence" requirement?
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Yes, you will have to wait until you have lived 3 months in the new state unless one of the following is true:

a. You apply within the 90-day early filing period before your 3-year or 5-year GC anniversary, and you will complete the 3 months residence in the new state by your GC anniversary date.
or
b. The specific location where you live in the new state is within a USCIS district that crosses multiple states, covering both your old and new residential address.
or
c. Your presence in the other state is only for a temporary purpose such as a business project or studying, and you maintain your house/apartment in PA while staying in the new state.
 
April will be the first month of 90 day early filing period. (July will be 5 years)
The other state is Florida, so I can't live on the border. xD
However, this job will be a "temporary contract position" and I do plan on maintaining my residency in Pennsylvania. Just not sure how it works when applying for naturalization, I don't want to run into any problems. I have already subleased my apartment, and moved to my mother's house temporarily. Will listing my mother's home in PA (which is officially still my address even though I haven't lived at this particular house in 5 years) count as preserving my residency in PA?
 
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And yes, I am not referring to the physical presence within the country, but physical presence in the state. "they have resided for at least three months immediately preceding the filing of Form N-400 in the USCIS district or state where the applicant claims to have residency"
So leaving the state for temporary work - will that prevent me from applying?
 
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