Skip to main content
All resources

Share

Yes. If you have a valid Green Card, you may travel while your naturalization application is pending.

However, you must return in time for all required USCIS appointments, including:

  • Biometrics (fingerprinting)
  • Your naturalization interview
  • Your oath ceremony

Missing an appointment can delay your case and may even result in your application being denied. When in doubt, we encourage you to speak to a Project Citizenship staff member before traveling in the case of travel warnings or other policy updates.

It can. The length and frequency of your trips outside the United States may affect whether you meet the continuous residence and physical presence requirements for naturalization.

If you’ve spent significant time outside the U.S., it’s a good idea to speak with an immigration attorney before applying.

Yes.

You’ll need to list every trip (and its dates) outside the United States during:

  • The past five years, or
  • The past three years if you’re applying based on marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Before completing your application, gather records such as:

  • Passports
  • Flight itineraries
  • Travel confirmations
  • Other documents showing your travel dates

Having accurate records ahead of your citizenship workshop appointment will make the application process much easier.

Trips of 180 days (about six months) or longer can raise questions about whether you maintained your residence in the United States.

USCIS may ask you to provide evidence that you continued to live in the U.S., such as:

  • Employment records
  • Tax returns
  • Lease or mortgage documents
  • Utility bills or other proof of residence

Multiple long or frequent trips can also affect your eligibility.

A trip of one year or more generally breaks your continuous residence for naturalization purposes.

In most cases, you’ll need to wait four years and one day after returning to the United States before applying for citizenship.

If you expect to be outside the U.S. for an extended period, you should speak with an immigration attorney before leaving. You may also want to apply for a re-entry permit, which can help protect your permanent resident status while you’re abroad.

Travel may have serious immigration consequences.

If you obtained your Green Card through asylum, using your home country’s passport or traveling back to the country where you feared persecution could affect your immigration status.

Before making travel plans, you should consult with an immigration attorney.

Before traveling:

  • Make sure your Green Card is valid.
  • Keep records of all international travel.
  • Plan your travel around any scheduled USCIS appointments.
  • Speak with an immigration attorney if you’ll be outside the U.S. for an extended period or if you received your Green Card through asylum.

Careful planning can help keep your citizenship application on track and protect your immigration status.