Can I apply for naturalization if I made multiple trips outside of the U.S.?
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Can I apply for naturalization if I made multiple trips outside of the U.S.?
I would like to apply for naturalization but I have made 5 long trips outside the U.S. in the past 5 years. The first trip the lasted 176 days, second trip was 177 days, the third trip was 172 days, the fourth trip was 104 days and the fifth trip lasted 89
days. My total physical stay in the U.S. in the past 5 years was around 34 months. Could there be any issues because of these longs trips? All other requirements are met. I became permanent resident almost 5 years ago. All trips were to Pakistan.
Asked on October 1, 2018 under Immigration Law, New York
Answers:
SB Member California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
You have to actually count the time you were physically present in the US in the past 5 years and if it is even 1 day less than what you were supposed to be in order to be eligible to naturalize, they will deny your application and tell you to wait until you have accrued enough physical presence time in the US. You will also need to be able to account for the reasons you were outside the US for such long stretches of time to show that you are in fact a permanent resident and have intent to reside permanently in the US.
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