US Citizenship
Nov 2nd 2005, 4:23 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 37
US Citizenship
I'm hoping someone can give me some feedback regarding US citizenship.
We lived in the US as a family for 8 years and have held green cards since Feb 01, 2001. Unfortunately we had to return to the UK to sort out elderly parent residential care etc. My company very kindly let me go back to UK on assignment.
I have been travelling between UK and US every 2-3 months for business trips etc. and have never had a problem re-entering the US. It's coming up to the 5 year point on my green card and wish to pursue US citizenship.
Having seen the UK after 10 years away its not the place I remember. It's a strange feeling, but whenever I arrive in the US now it feels like home (never thought I would say that but it's true).
Does anyone know if I would have a problem applying for citizenship?
As I say, its' coming up for my 5 yr anniversary. For the first 4 of those 5 yrs I lived continually in the US, and it's only in the last year that I have spent several months in the UK, but I have been back and forth every few months.
(bottom line is with business assignments I've spent probably 48 out of the last 60 months in the US). Do I have to be physically in the US when I apply?
I've also applied for a re-entry permit as a precaution (N-470 to preserve residency). By the way although the N-470 says you can pay your $150 by personal check I had it returned with a letter saying I must pay by money order! If anyone else has is thinking of applying for an N-470 it may help to know this.
Rgds
PJ
We lived in the US as a family for 8 years and have held green cards since Feb 01, 2001. Unfortunately we had to return to the UK to sort out elderly parent residential care etc. My company very kindly let me go back to UK on assignment.
I have been travelling between UK and US every 2-3 months for business trips etc. and have never had a problem re-entering the US. It's coming up to the 5 year point on my green card and wish to pursue US citizenship.
Having seen the UK after 10 years away its not the place I remember. It's a strange feeling, but whenever I arrive in the US now it feels like home (never thought I would say that but it's true).
Does anyone know if I would have a problem applying for citizenship?
As I say, its' coming up for my 5 yr anniversary. For the first 4 of those 5 yrs I lived continually in the US, and it's only in the last year that I have spent several months in the UK, but I have been back and forth every few months.
(bottom line is with business assignments I've spent probably 48 out of the last 60 months in the US). Do I have to be physically in the US when I apply?
I've also applied for a re-entry permit as a precaution (N-470 to preserve residency). By the way although the N-470 says you can pay your $150 by personal check I had it returned with a letter saying I must pay by money order! If anyone else has is thinking of applying for an N-470 it may help to know this.
Rgds
PJ
Nov 2nd 2005, 4:27 pm
#2
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: US Citizenship
Originally Posted by jackpetj
I'm hoping someone can give me some feedback regarding US citizenship.
We lived in the US as a family for 8 years and have held green cards since Feb 01, 2001. Unfortunately we had to return to the UK to sort out elderly parent residential care etc. My company very kindly let me go back to UK on assignment.
I have been travelling between UK and US every 2-3 months for business trips etc. and have never had a problem re-entering the US. It's coming up to the 5 year point on my green card and wish to pursue US citizenship.
Having seen the UK after 10 years away its not the place I remember. It's a strange feeling, but whenever I arrive in the US now it feels like home (never thought I would say that but it's true).
Does anyone know if I would have a problem applying for citizenship?
As I say, its' coming up for my 5 yr anniversary. For the first 4 of those 5 yrs I lived continually in the US, and it's only in the last year that I have spent several months in the UK, but I have been back and forth every few months.
(bottom line is with business assignments I've spent probably 48 out of the last 60 months in the US). Do I have to be physically in the US when I apply?
I've also applied for a re-entry permit as a precaution (N-470 to preserve residency). By the way although the N-470 says you can pay your $150 by personal check I had it returned with a letter saying I must pay by money order! If anyone else has is thinking of applying for an N-470 it may help to know this.
Rgds
PJ
We lived in the US as a family for 8 years and have held green cards since Feb 01, 2001. Unfortunately we had to return to the UK to sort out elderly parent residential care etc. My company very kindly let me go back to UK on assignment.
I have been travelling between UK and US every 2-3 months for business trips etc. and have never had a problem re-entering the US. It's coming up to the 5 year point on my green card and wish to pursue US citizenship.
Having seen the UK after 10 years away its not the place I remember. It's a strange feeling, but whenever I arrive in the US now it feels like home (never thought I would say that but it's true).
Does anyone know if I would have a problem applying for citizenship?
As I say, its' coming up for my 5 yr anniversary. For the first 4 of those 5 yrs I lived continually in the US, and it's only in the last year that I have spent several months in the UK, but I have been back and forth every few months.
(bottom line is with business assignments I've spent probably 48 out of the last 60 months in the US). Do I have to be physically in the US when I apply?
I've also applied for a re-entry permit as a precaution (N-470 to preserve residency). By the way although the N-470 says you can pay your $150 by personal check I had it returned with a letter saying I must pay by money order! If anyone else has is thinking of applying for an N-470 it may help to know this.
Rgds
PJ
Where is home, where are you domiciled?
Nov 2nd 2005, 4:32 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 37
Re: US Citizenship
Originally Posted by Manc
Your profile says relocated to Aberdeen.
Where is home, where are you domiciled?
Where is home, where are you domiciled?
Nov 2nd 2005, 4:42 pm
#4
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: US Citizenship
Originally Posted by jackpetj
I am currently domiciled in UK (Aberdeen)
Nov 2nd 2005, 5:02 pm
#5
Back Again
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Virtual Reality
Posts: 10,831
Re: US Citizenship
Originally Posted by jackpetj
I'm hoping someone can give me some feedback regarding US citizenship.
We lived in the US as a family for 8 years and have held green cards since Feb 01, 2001. Unfortunately we had to return to the UK to sort out elderly parent residential care etc. My company very kindly let me go back to UK on assignment.
I have been travelling between UK and US every 2-3 months for business trips etc. and have never had a problem re-entering the US. It's coming up to the 5 year point on my green card and wish to pursue US citizenship.
Having seen the UK after 10 years away its not the place I remember. It's a strange feeling, but whenever I arrive in the US now it feels like home (never thought I would say that but it's true).
Does anyone know if I would have a problem applying for citizenship?
As I say, its' coming up for my 5 yr anniversary. For the first 4 of those 5 yrs I lived continually in the US, and it's only in the last year that I have spent several months in the UK, but I have been back and forth every few months.
(bottom line is with business assignments I've spent probably 48 out of the last 60 months in the US). Do I have to be physically in the US when I apply?
I've also applied for a re-entry permit as a precaution (N-470 to preserve residency). By the way although the N-470 says you can pay your $150 by personal check I had it returned with a letter saying I must pay by money order! If anyone else has is thinking of applying for an N-470 it may help to know this.
Rgds
PJ
We lived in the US as a family for 8 years and have held green cards since Feb 01, 2001. Unfortunately we had to return to the UK to sort out elderly parent residential care etc. My company very kindly let me go back to UK on assignment.
I have been travelling between UK and US every 2-3 months for business trips etc. and have never had a problem re-entering the US. It's coming up to the 5 year point on my green card and wish to pursue US citizenship.
Having seen the UK after 10 years away its not the place I remember. It's a strange feeling, but whenever I arrive in the US now it feels like home (never thought I would say that but it's true).
Does anyone know if I would have a problem applying for citizenship?
As I say, its' coming up for my 5 yr anniversary. For the first 4 of those 5 yrs I lived continually in the US, and it's only in the last year that I have spent several months in the UK, but I have been back and forth every few months.
(bottom line is with business assignments I've spent probably 48 out of the last 60 months in the US). Do I have to be physically in the US when I apply?
I've also applied for a re-entry permit as a precaution (N-470 to preserve residency). By the way although the N-470 says you can pay your $150 by personal check I had it returned with a letter saying I must pay by money order! If anyone else has is thinking of applying for an N-470 it may help to know this.
Rgds
PJ
you may want to check with http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/index.htm
if you've mostly been here though you must have a physical address....do you have homes in both countries?
Nov 2nd 2005, 5:07 pm
#6
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: US Citizenship
Originally Posted by jackpetj
I am currently domiciled in UK (Aberdeen)
Domiciled is usually a more permanent description then resident, especially among tax authorities.
Nov 2nd 2005, 9:15 pm
#7
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: US Citizenship
Originally Posted by jackpetj
I am currently domiciled in UK (Aberdeen)
even for a consult...anyway...
http://www.usvisalawyers.co.uk/firm.htm
http://www.usvisalawgroup.com/
I haven't used either, but they have been recommended previously, and also they are linked from the US consulate.
Nov 2nd 2005, 10:55 pm
#8
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: US Citizenship
Originally Posted by Bob
you could have reset the stopclock then...so you should probably speak to a US immigration attorney...there's a couple good ones' in London.
even for a consult...anyway...
http://www.usvisalawyers.co.uk/firm.htm
http://www.usvisalawgroup.com/
I haven't used either, but they have been recommended previously, and also they are linked from the US consulate.
even for a consult...anyway...
http://www.usvisalawyers.co.uk/firm.htm
http://www.usvisalawgroup.com/
I haven't used either, but they have been recommended previously, and also they are linked from the US consulate.
I would also consult with a US immigration lawyer on whether there is a risk of losing the green card.
Jeremy
