If I have been a permanent resident for 22 years but left the country for 16 of those years, can I still be natuarlized?
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If I have been a permanent resident for 22 years but left the country for 16 of those years, can I still be natuarlized?
I realize that technically I abandoned my residency but I returned. I have a current green card, have lived, worked, paid taxes and owned a home for almost 6 years. Will they Can I be shown some leniency in regards to my extended absence?
Asked on April 14, 2012 under Immigration Law, California
Answers:
Gene Meltser, Esq. / BIRG & MELTSER
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
No lineancy is needed here. You are fuly qualified for Naturalization if you have been here for last 6 years on a valid Green Card. For Naturalization, amongst other things, you need 5 years of vadid GC and 30 months of residency, and you qualify for both. You have to disclose all our trips, but only trips within last 5 years will be counted to see if you satisfy our residency requirement. You required your LPR status when a new green card was issued to you after your long trip so long as it was validly issued. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]
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