N 400 Qulification

[mimrankhan1]

Hello,

I am looking forward to apply for N 400 but I have some concerns and questions for which I am writing here.

I got my green card in March 2010 I stayed here in Chicago for 8 months and left for Pakistan. I left Pakistan with a white passport which was valid for 2 years. I came back to Chicago than in almost 23 months before the expiry of my white passport.

From October 21, 2012 till up till now I visited Pakistan but always come back in states under 6 months.

I have completed almost 31 months of physical stay in Chicago without leaving the country for more than 6 months.

My first question is that am I according to US immigration laws have the green card for 5 years or more or do I consider to count the date of green card anniversary for 5 years from Oct 21, 2012 when I came back to states after 23 months.

My second question is that my green card will expire in March 2020

If I apply this year in 2017 for N 400 and whatever the time frame my application take till the last step for getting citizenship, if in this time frame my green card expire so am I in the safe zone to stay in the country or do I have to re new my green card ?

My third question that if I meet the all required eligibility requirements, how much time it takes to get my naturalization certificate in hands ?



Your earliest reply will be appreciated.



With best regards
Imran Khan

[newacct]

You interrupted "continuous residence" by staying out of the US for more than 6 months. After your continuous residence has been interrupted by an absence of more than 1 year, you qualify for naturalization 4 years plus 1 day after you return. So you have been eligible to file N-400 since October 22, 2016.

Once you apply for naturalization, don't worry about the green card expiring.

[NettieL]

From October 21, 2012 till up till now I visited Pakistan but always come back in states under 6 months.

I have completed almost 31 months of physical stay in Chicago without leaving the country for more than 6 months.

My first question is that am I according to US immigration laws have the green card for 5 years or more or do I consider to count the date of green card anniversary for 5 years from Oct 21, 2012 when I came back to states after 23 months.

31 months is not 4 years.

The Green Card validity is counted from the date that it was issued.

[newacct]

31 months is not 4 years.

The Green Card validity is counted from the date that it was issued.

5 year rule only needs 2.5 years (30 months) of physical presence. So he has enough now.

[NettieL]

Thanks. Good to know.