r2i forum

Hi All,

I have a question. I am eligble for applying US citizenship in March 1st week 2012 (90 days before completing 5 years of permanent residency).

I am planning to move to India in Dec for good as I am getting a good job offer. My family will stay back for another 6-7 months until kids complete the school year.

Question - Can I go to India and come back in March & apply for citizenship and then again go back? Or do I need to physically be present in US for 90 days just before citizenship application?

Pls advise

Google "N-400 timelines" and check the experience of others at the USCIS location where you need to apply.
You can apply when you become eligible. You said you will be eligible in March. You can come and apply; but then you need to come back again for Biometric Appointment and then again for the Interview.
Check the N-400 Timelines for your area and see how long (typically) it takes for that location. Then plan your schedule of work and travels.
You also need to find out how long it takes to get a US passport and an INDIA VISA; make sure you allow sufficient time away from your work so that after you become a US citizen, you will have to get back to India using a US passport and a valid work visa (PIO, OCI ) for India, so that you can legally work in India.
Note: After you become a US citizen, you cannot use your India passport

Take this quiz: http://www.immigrationdirect.com/n400/controller.do?interaction=eq

okonomi;413620Note: After you become a US citizen, you cannot use your India passport

Also look up the timelines to surrender indian passport and get a surrender certificate. Surrender certificate was needed to apply for Visa/OCI/PIO. From the time I filed N400 to the time I got my OCI. It was close to a year. I did not apply for US passport in fasttrack or mail anything over night, did not have to rush anything. But did not sit idle in any stage either.

Hi, were you able to find out more on this? Your feedback & suggestions will help - I'm likely to find myself in a similar situation soon.