andrea874

3 yrs after he becomes a PR

snowbunny

So long as he is still married to you.... else five years.

Ray

2 years and 9 months after the date of approval on his GC ...
he can then APPLY ...

Rete

Please note as an aside to these replies that the CPR which is what Garry is (it is not a temporary green card btw) counts as PR status. So it 3 years from the date his I-485 was approved which would be the date on his green card. All other requirements must be met. Obtain a copy of the guide to naturalization from the USCIS website.

Rete

Added: Look on the form list for N-400 and you will see the Guide listed.

meauxna

From a post of mine, collecting most of the links you need:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/in...?showtopic=311

USCIS Frequently Asked Questions on Naturalization (becoming a US Citizen):
http://uscis.gov/graphics/faqsgen.htm#naturalization

Naturalization Home Page: http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/index.htm

General Naturalization Requirements
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/general.htm

Naturalization: Waivers, Exceptions, and Special Cases
Family Members of U.S. Citizens
Spouses of U.S. Citizens
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/Special.htm

Frequently Asked Questions About Naturalization
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/faq.htm#Top

In general, if you have been a Permanent Resident for three years and have been married to and living in a valid marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse for all three years AND you meet the other criteria (Residence and Physical Presence, Good Moral Character, Language etc), you are eligible for naturalization.

So called "conditional residents" are Permanent Residents nonetheless.

5. When does my time as a Permanent Resident begin?

Your time as a Permanent Resident begins on the date you were granted permanent resident status. This date is on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as Alien Registration Card). Click here to view a sample card.

Physical Presence Is Important!
"An applicant is eligible to file if, immediately preceding the filing of the application, he or she:

-has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (see preceding section);
-has resided continuously as a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. for at least 5 years prior to filing with no single absence from the United States of more than one year;
-has been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the previous five years (absences of more than six months but less than one year shall disrupt the applicant's continuity of residence unless the applicant can establish that he or she did not abandon his or her residence during such period)
-has resided within a state or district for at least three months"
(for spouses of US Citizens filing under the "3 year" exception rule, change all "5 year" notes to 3 years)

Note from me: From the day you become a Permanent Resident, start keeping track of ALL time spent out of the US, including dates and dates of travel. Keep this list in one place, where it is easy for you to get at, and it will make completing N-400 much, much easier! Especially good idea for Canadians who cross the border a lot. Everyone should save whatever travel documentation available should it be required.

Fun!
Test Yourself on U.S. History
100 Sample U.S. History Questions with Answers
These are the actual interview questions. Applicants should know all 100 questions, although a random 10 are selected and asked in the interview.
(links inbedded in the thread; click thru)

"There are also exceptions for lawful permanent residents married to U.S. citizens stationed or employed abroad. Some lawful permanent residents may not have to comply with the residence or physical presence requirements when the U.S. citizen spouse is employed by one of the following:"
(see this page for more info)

There are also special rules for children. Please see the preceding links for more information on children and naturalization.

Dual Citizenship FAQ
Dual Nationality and
United States Law
by Rich Wales

http://www.richw.org/dualcit/

ian-mstm

When you think about it, while the status continues (well, usually)... all green cards are temporary since they all have expiry dates.

Ian