How long for US citizenship?

I hear 3 years and I hear 5 years.

My wife got her residence a few years back, but we don't live in the states, just go once a year. We will be moving back in jan, but would like to know from people who've done it, how long does the citizenship take? We'd like to leave the states as soon as possible, so are we looking at 3 or 5? Thanks!

By bufalo on Aug 31, 2007, 18:39 in Friendly Talkzone.

Gator says on Aug 31, 2007, 19:53:

Permanent resident If married to a US Citizen three years from date of green card.
Five years as a permanent resident.

Both dates are figured from date of issuance of the green card (I-551). There are also exceptions for those serving in the military who are permanent residents. Check with the US Embassy to see if a re-entry permit is needed.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

RAAAY says on Sep 1, 2007, 00:30:

.............'.but we don't live in the states,"...................You got the Green Card..........but just go once a year to keep it active.....??
I may be mis-understanding your question...........but from what it appears to me............Green Card in the States.......go once a year to keep it active ......and you want to know how long for the citizenship...3 or 5 years............??

If I am understanding you correctly.........I would ask first..........have you been filing taxes in the States for the last 3 years....?

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

RussianFred says on Sep 1, 2007, 04:19:

Go to www.visajourney.com. I think it's two years.

Annual Drug Deaths: Tobacco: 395,000, Alcohol: 125,000, 'Legal' Drugs: 38,000, Illegal Drug Overdoses: 5,200, Marijuana: 0. Considering government subsidies of tobacco, just what is our government protecting us from in the drug war?--Ralph Nader

bufalo says on Sep 1, 2007, 11:48:

RAYY, We got married and then months later went to the states, then moved out. Since then we've been going once a year to maintain the green card, this is how it is explained to me:

-You get a green card, live in the states, in 3 years get citizenship.
-"They" want you in the states at least 6 months and a day each of the 3 years.
-If you don't you must at least go to the states once a year to maintain the green card, this time doesn't count toward citizenship, just maintains your residence. Doing this is "good" for 10 years when card expires. "Good" depends on who you get at the airport, someone can be a dick and say "you don't live here, you lost it, goodbye". We only got asked about it once and nothing happened.
Yes, we've been filing taxes in the states since married. We'll go to live there soon, spend 3 years, get citizenship, then off to somewhere else.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

RAAAY says on Sep 1, 2007, 14:00:

Bufalo.............I now assume you are a citizen and your wife got her residency card as a result of the marrige.

Therefore.....3 years is the time frame, but I believe you can submit the application sooner than the 3 years as it takes so long to be called for the appointment.

It is not nessairy to live there permanently during the process.......trips of six months or less during the process are ok........but you must maintain a permanent residence
at all times and make sure to have someone check your mail in case the appointment letter arrives in your absence.....

If however you are a permanent resident and sponsored your wife for her's using form I-130
you would need to be more careful.

Have you been filing taxes jointly or as individuals..?
Are you a citizen..?

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

Gator says on Sep 1, 2007, 15:04:

You can apply 90 days before the required 3-year time frame is met. Do NOT try and jump the 90 days or your application may/will be returned.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

bufalo says on Sep 3, 2007, 06:21:

OK gator, will check on all this, sorrry I left out details.

I'm from the US, typical gringo, a citizen. Married in Colombia and got her residency visa in Bogota about 4 years ago. Since then we've been hitting the US once a year. Our taxes are joint and have been so since marrying. My parents address is our permanent address. We don't have any other ties to the US though, only a joint credit card that we almost never use. So I don't know if they'll give her the citizenship right off the bat. I'd imagine we'd have to spend 3 solid years there, put bills in her name, etc?

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor