N-400 absences from US

[Metachora]

At the start of my permanent residency, I actually spent significant time outside the US for the first year - I'd made a first trip of one week to activate my DV immigrant visa, then went back to my country to put things in order, then after just less than 6 months I went back to the US to live for a few months. Then back to my country for about 5 months, then US again - and after that I've lived in the US properly.
At the time, I'd read that it was not uncommon for new immigrants to need to do this initially, and I didn't have issues being let into the US again or keeping my resident status. But could this cause issues when I naturalize? I will soon be eligible for the 90-day early filing for the N400.

[Mike E]

At the start of my permanent residency, I actually spent significant time outside the US for the first year - I'd made a first trip of one week to activate my DV immigrant visa, then went back to my country to put things in order, then after just less than 6 months I went back to the US to live for a few months. Then back to my country for about 5 months, then US again - and after that I've lived in the US properly.
At the time, I'd read that it was not uncommon for new immigrants to need to do this initially, and I didn't have issues being let into the US again or keeping my resident status. But could this cause issues when I naturalize? I will soon be eligible for the 90-day early filing for the N400.

Was the “just less than 6 months”
more than 180 days? Then definitely will have an effect on naturalization.

If not, 11 months absence out of 60 months of absence is not likely to cause issues.

[Metachora]

Was the “just less than 6 months”
more than 180 days? Then definitely will have an effect on naturalization.

If not, 11 months absence out of 60 months of absence is not likely to cause issues.

A few days under 180, yeah, though I have to find my exact entry & exit dates. I knew the rules in advance. I'm just concerned that this might be considered as me not actually living in the US for nearly a whole first year at the beginning of the 5 for the naturalization, even if broken by a few months of presence. I also had to use a friend's address to have my GC and stuff sent to, without really living there.

[Mike E]

A few days under 180, yeah, though I have to find my exact entry & exit dates. I knew the rules in advance. I'm just concerned that this might be considered as me not actually living in the US for nearly a whole first year at the beginning of the 5 for the naturalization, even if broken by a few months of presence. I also had to use a friend's address to have my GC and stuff sent to, without really living there.

No one can promise you that an IO will not subjectively determine you broke continuous residence. If you are concerned, wait 6 more months.