Time outside the US, effect for Citizenship

[samngraham]

Hello All,

I have done some searching on this website and the forum to try and clarify my question about my situation for citizenship. Due to the complexity of my situation I am having trouble finding the correct answer.

My details are as follows; Myself, Wife and Daughter received our green cards in FEB2007 and lived in the US for only 4 months then returned to our home country. After 10 months of leaving the US we returned and were granted entry, but were challenged by immigration if we were returning for good. At the time we did this only to reset our green cards and then left after 1 week (APR2008). We then returned in (AUG 2008) and applied for a re entry permit and stayed in the US while this application went though approx. 1 month then return to our home country which legally gave us 2 years outside.

In (JAN2010) I gained employment in the US and we moved permanently. Shortly after this I was sent on some work provided training overseas for 6 weeks (FEB2010) and returned in (APR10) with my family. My son was then born in the US JUL10 so he does not have the issues we face.
Then in (JAN2011) I was sent again with my family overseas for training but this time it was for 5 1/2 months and returned in (JUN2011). From this point on things were a little more stable for a while and we remained in the US.

Recently I received a work posting (with the same employer) to an overseas location where we have all been since (MAR2013) and are due to return to the US for a short period in (NOV13) and the permanently return after my 1 year post finishes (MAR2014). I know this may look like a real mess, but during the time since I gained employment in the US I have worked for the same company paying taxes and had rented a home until this recent posting commenced.

My question is should I have done anything prior to leaving the US, to my current place to preserve my residence thus far, and how much of this time actually counts toward the residency required for citizenship. We want to apply for citizenship and the requirements of my job may have been the effects prevent us getting the required residency time. When we return how long should we need to wait before we can apply or do we need to start the 5 years over.

Thanks for reading and any advise greatly appreciated.

 

[TheRealCanadian]

I think your best bet is to apply 4 years + 1 day after your Jan 2010 return, but your 2013 absence of >6 months is likely to reset the clock again. Based on those dates you are looking at March 2018 to apply.

 

[samngraham]

Thanks for the reply.

Would a short trip back to the US before 6 months has lapsed be enough to stop the clock resetting than have to start the 4 years over again.

Thanks

 

[Jackolantern]

Yes, you should definitely try to return to the US before 6 months have elapsed.

 

[Hannah7]

I am asking the same questions here at the forum. From what I have understood, you can apply 4 years + 1 day after your last long absence from the U.S. which is Jan 2010 - Jan 2014.

Since you are so close to the Jan 2014, you might consider spending more time in the U.S. this year so you don't have to wait until 2018 again.

I don't know how hard would be to convince the IO that the 8months trip, you are planning to take this year, didn't break the continuous residence.

 

[samngraham]

Hi All,

Thanks for time reading and replying to my post.

Due to my US based work contract I am currently based overseas for 1 year.
I am really concerned about breaking the continous residency and therfore have planned a short trip back to the US. Hopefully this issue is then overcome.
Based on more information I have read my current situation I am "Maintaining Ties" with the US due to my US employment, taxes, bank accounts etc..
Is it worth applying for an N470 to perserve my residency?
Or is the return trip enough?

thanks again