If I am an alien who has a U.S. citizen spouse assigned abroad by his U.S. employer, do I have to meet the regular residency requirements for naturalization?
Not necessarily. Alien spouses of citizens who are assigned abroad by their U.S. employer can be exempt from continuous residence and physical presence requirement. The requirements are that the alien must be a permanent resident, must be physically present in the U.S. at the time of naturalization, must affirm his intention to reside in the U.S. upon completion of the citizen spouse’s overseas assignment, and in most cases, affirm his intention to reside with the citizen spouse abroad upon completion of the naturalization process. If these conditions are met, the alien can apply for citizenship right after he obtains his green card and does not have to wait the regular waiting time of three or five years after the issuance of permanent resident status.
Related Questions
- For purposes of determining whether the alien gained experience with the employer, would an affiliate abroad or an acquiring company be considered an employer?
- If I am an alien who has a U.S. citizen spouse assigned abroad by his U.S. employer, do I have to meet the regular residency requirements for naturalization?
- What is the status of a Filipino citizen who is married to a foreigner and subsequently, divorce is obtained abroad by the alien spouse?
