Re-entry permit time counted towards continuous residence?

[logicators]

My sister entered the US in 2008 as a permanent resident, stayed for a few months, obtained a re-entry permit and left the country. She also opened a bank account and obtained a drivers license in 2008.

She returned earlier this year (before her re-entry permit have expired) and now lives here permanently.

We are trying to figure out if she will be eligible for citizenship in 2013 when she meets the physical presence requirements (counting the re-entry permit time towards continuous residence) or in 2015 when she completes her 5 years after she permanently returned to the country.

Appreciate your help!

 

[cafeconleche]

The re-entry permit does not preserve residence for naturalisation purposes, but if she was in the country for a few months before she left for a long time, she is probably eligible to apply 4 years + 1 day after she returned this year, so around 2014. Check out the guide to naturalisation for more details.

 

[BigJoe5]

My sister entered the US in 2008 as a permanent resident, stayed for a few months, obtained a re-entry permit and left the country. She also opened a bank account and obtained a drivers license in 2008.

She returned earlier this year (before her re-entry permit have expired) and now lives here permanently.

We are trying to figure out if she will be eligible for citizenship in 2013 when she meets the physical presence requirements (counting the re-entry permit time towards continuous residence) or in 2015 when she completes her 5 years after she permanently returned to the country.

Appreciate your help!

Go to www.uscis.gov and on the LAWS tab find and read 8 CFR 316.5(c)(ii).