How to calculate the residence time for applying for a green card in the United States?

For those who have obtained a green card for five years, naturalization applicants who meet the actual residence time and requirements need to prove that their actual residence time in the United States is not less than 30 months. If you marry a citizen and get a green card for three years, the spouse of an American citizen needs to prove that he has actually lived in the United States for not less than 18 months. If you leave the United States for more than one year in any of the five years (or three years), the previous residence time cannot be counted, and the residence time should be recalculated from the date of this return to the United States.

However, if the spouse of the applicant is an American citizen, the applicant only needs to live in the United States for three consecutive years. However, if the spouse of a non-citizen divorces before the expiration of three years, or the spouse of an American citizen dies, the special rule of continuous residence for three years does not apply. However, if the applicant obtains a green card according to the provisions of the Anti-Abuse of Women Law, he can still apply for naturalization according to the special provisions of continuous residence for three years, regardless of whether he is divorced or not.

The immigration law allows you to apply for naturalization three months before the expiration of your continuous residence. Therefore, applicants can apply for naturalization after four years and nine months of continuous residence or two years and nine months.