Applying for citizenship from outside the US
Jun 30th 2020, 2:28 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 89
Applying for citizenship from outside the US
A bit of a hypothetical, we can now apply for citizenship and are in the middle of filling out the 400 form. I would like us to move back to the U.K. next summer but am worried that we won’t have our interview/ceremony in time due to delays from covid....has anyone applied for citizenship and during the process moved abroad but still managed to complete the process?
Jun 30th 2020, 3:21 am
#2
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Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Applying for citizenship from outside the US
You would have to return to the USA for the interview and then again for the oath ceremony, then stick around until you get a US passport... and you'd have to make sure your time outside the USA doesn't make you ineligible at any point...
Probably best to postpone the move until the citizenship process is complete.
Rene
Probably best to postpone the move until the citizenship process is complete.
Rene
Jun 30th 2020, 3:22 am
#3
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Applying for citizenship from outside the US
Also, if you move outside the USA permanently as a US PR, you risk abandoning that status, making you ineligible for citizenship... something to think about.
Rene
Rene
Jun 30th 2020, 3:58 am
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 89
Re: Applying for citizenship from outside the US
Yeah we’re applying now SO we can move but have the option to come back. Will just keep my fingers crossed then! Thanks for replying
Jul 1st 2020, 11:45 am
#5
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Applying for citizenship from outside the US
My son applied for his citizenship from outside the USA as LPR - however he was a student. Before he left for college we got a re-entry permit - basically informing them in advance of the reason why he was going to be out of the country for extended periods. Money very well spent it turns out because his green card was stolen and he could use the re-entry permit to get back to the USA. For the interview we also provided proof that his main residence was still in the USA, proof of his registration at his university and proof that he was living in college dorms. He came back for biometrics and interview. My view based on his experience is that if you intend to be outside the USA as an LPR before the interview, you should be prepared to prove that it is a temporary situation.
