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Your international trip of 180 days or more, but less than one year, could negatively impact your citizenship application and immigration status. 

There is a presumption that you did not maintain your residence in the U.S. during this trip. You can expect questions about this issue and will likely be asked to provide evidence to the government about your ties to the U.S. during this time. 

Your application for citizenship may be denied. 

Although trips of less than six months generally do not break residence on their own, frequent or repeated travel outside the United States may lead USCIS to conclude that you did not maintain your residence. This can result in a denial of your naturalization application. 

What You Need To Do

You need to bring evidence to your interview to prove that you continued to live in the United States while abroad on a trip of over 180 days, or if you took frequent trips abroad (even if each trip was less than six months). 

Examples of What To Bring

Proof Related To Your Job
  • Proof that you still had your job in the U.S. or that you did not get a job abroad during your trip 
  • Letter from your U.S. employer stating that you were still employed during your trip 
  • Bank records showing that you were being paid by your job while abroad 
Proof Related To Your Family
  • Proof that your spouse and/or children stayed in the U.S. during your trip 
  • School records showing that your children were attending school in the United States while you were abroad 
  • Credit card or employment records showing that your spouse remained at your home in the United States while you were abroad 
Proof Related to Your Home & Ties to the United States
  • Proof that you had your home, car, and filed taxes in the United States during the entire time you were abroad 
  • Utility bills for your home in the United States while you were abroad 
  • Rental bills or mortgage payments 
  • Car registration or car insurance records 
  • Proof from the IRS that you filed your taxes for the period of your trip abroad 

Unsure If Your Travel Impacts Your U.S. Citizenship Application?

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