If you aren’t a U.S Citizen by birth and you seek and get U.S Citizenship, US immigration law assumes you are planning to live in the US permanently. Staying outside the U.S for over a year can result in loss of permanent resident status. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
Exceptions For U.S. Government Personnel
U.S personnel such as military and civil service employees, together with their children and spouses with lawful resident status, can remain outside America for as long as an official assignment demands. They also enjoy four months after such an assignment has been completed before they risk losing U.S resident status.
Any other immigrant holding permanent residence status that chooses to reside outside America for over 12 months without seeking approval from the USCIS will be required to get a new Visa to gain back entry. A re-entry permit is required. The permit allows the holder to stay outside the U.S until the re-entry validity period expires. To apply, visit the official USCIS website.
Eligibility After Losing Residence
Suppose you want to reapply for naturalization and do it under INA 316. In that case, you must do five years of continuous residence, then wait for four years after returning to the US to meet requisite continuous residence and apply for naturalization. Statutory deadlines are calculated from the date of filing.
Example On Eligibility For U.S Citizenship Based On Continuous Residence
Let’s say you apply for naturalization (U.S Citizenship) under INA 316, leave the US on 1st January 2022 and return on 2nd January 2023, you will have stayed outside America for a year breaking continuous residence. For such a case, you must wait five years (up to 3rd January 2027) to reapply for naturalization.
Although you will have stayed outside the U.S for less than a year during the statutory timeline, you will still have stayed outside the U.S for over 6 months, during which a person is eligible for naturalization if you successfully rebut presumption that you have broken continuity of residence.
Preserving Residence
Some applicants can proactively preserve residence even if they are absent for a year or more to qualify for employment abroad. To do this, you must file form-N470 application for preserving residence for naturalization.
To qualify, you must be physically present in America as a legal permanent resident for a year before working abroad. You also need to apply before or after your employment begins. However, if you apply after employment begins, it must be before you work abroad continuously for a year.
There are other conditions to consider. For instance, you must be employed or contracted by the U.S Government or American institution, Corporation/American firm in U.S foreign trade/commerce. A subsidiary of a US firm/Corporation with 50%+ U.S-owned also applies. Employees of public international companies that the U.S has a statute/treaty with also meet requirements provided they weren’t employed before becoming legal permanent residents.
If a person is engaged solely on ministerial work of a religious denomination with a bona fide company within America then they can preserve residence for naturalization without being subjected to regular conditions.
Summary: How Long U.S. Citizen Can Stay Outside U.S.?
It depends. While the normal limit is a year, you can stay longer and still preserve your US citizen if you are a military service member, Government employee, or meet any other criteria discussed above i.e., work for a US multinational or you proactively preserve residence.
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FAQs
A naturalized citizen can live for as long as they wish in another country, with almost no risk to their U.S. citizenship status.
How long can you live outside the US without losing citizenship? ›
You can travel abroad for as long as you'd like without any risk of losing your U.S. citizenship. And if you plan to stay outside of the United States for longer than a year, you won't need a re-entry permit in order to return, as is the case for green card holders (permanent residents).
What happens if I stay more than 6 months outside US with citizenship? ›
As a general rule, permanent residents should avoid any trips abroad of 6 months or longer. If you travel for over 6 months (but less than a year) at one time, USCIS will automatically presume that you've broken your continuous residence requirement for the purposes of naturalization.
How long can you live outside the US and still be a citizen? ›
While there is no specific time limit, staying outside the United States for an extended period can have consequences. If you remain outside the United States for over a year without getting a re-entry permit or returning to the country, you may lose your permanent resident status.
What happens if I stay more than 1 year outside US? ›
If you stay outside of the United States for 1 year or more and did not apply for a reentry permit before you left, you may be considered to have abandoned your permanent resident status.
Can I live in another country and keep my U.S. citizenship? ›
A naturalized citizen can live for as long as they wish in another country, with almost no risk to their U.S. citizenship status.
Can U.S. citizens lose their citizenship? ›
You may lose your U.S. citizenship in specific cases, including if you: Run for public office in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Enter military service in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Apply for citizenship in a foreign country with the intention of giving up U.S. citizenship.
How long can a U.S. citizen stay in Mexico? ›
General Information. A visitor visa allows you to stay in Mexico for a period of up to 180 days, provided that you are not carrying out any paid activities.
Can a U.S. citizen be denied entry back into the USA? ›
U.S. citizens have the right to enter the United States, so if you are a U.S. citizen and the officers' questions become intrusive, you can decline to answer those questions, but you should be aware that doing so may result in delay and/or further inspection.
What is the 4 year 1 day rule for U.S. citizenship? ›
IF YOU STAYED ABROAD FOR 365 DAYS OR MORE
They will deny your U.S. citizenship application, and you'll have to wait before you can reapply: If you had to wait five years to apply for citizenship, you'll need to wait at least four years and one day upon returning from your trip abroad to reapply.
3 Years of Continuous Residence. The spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States must have continuously resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance.
What is the 5 year rule for citizenship? ›
An applicant for naturalization under the general provision must have resided continuously in the United States after his or her lawful permanent resident (LPR) admission for at least 5 years prior to filing the naturalization application and up to the time of naturalization.
How do I maintain my US address while living abroad? ›
Overseas Mail Forwarding Services
The most convenient way to maintain a functional U.S. address while living abroad is to use a virtual mailbox service that you can activate online. This service scans, holds, and offers mail forwarding services for a few dollars per month.
Can a U.S. citizen stay outside of US for a year? ›
Posted by Frank Gogol in Immigrants | Updated on June 19, 2023. At a Glance: Once you become a naturalized U.S. citizen, you can move abroad for an extended period without losing your citizenship.
Can I reenter US after 10 years? ›
Once you have been deported, the United States government will bar you from returning for five, ten, or 20 years, or even permanently. Generally speaking, most deportees carry a 10-year ban. The exact length of time depends on the facts and circ*mstances surrounding your deportation.
Does Mexico accept reentry permit? ›
If you know in advance that you are going to remain in Mexico for more than one year, but you will be there for less than two years, you should apply for a re-entry permit, before you leave.
Can you legally live in the US and not be a citizen? ›
Lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as “green card” holders, are non-citizens who are lawfully authorized to live permanently within the United States.
