Guestbook Entry for Nick Popov , United States
Name
Nick Popov
Country
United States
State
CA
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Asylee Citizenship Interview Experience Re COP
This forum made me sleep better on many nights and told me what to expect at every step. Nothing was a surprise from Asylum to US Passport.
Waited many many years and got my Asylum I485 approved in 2002. Applied N400 in Aug 07, FP in Jan 08, Citizenship interview in April 08 and got my Oath in May 08. Applied for passport routine service at the oath ceremony and got my passport in 9 days. My online status still shows my case pending since Oct 2007 !!
Green Card
Citizenship and Naturalization
Relocating to India with GC, how to apply for US citizenship?
Question details
We primarily have questions on relocation to India and possibilities.
My wife and I want to retain our Green Cards and eventually get US citizenship. We are just 3 years away from getting our US citizenship.
However, we want to relocate to India for our aging parents. We want to be able to relocate to India now for a few years (5 years), but we also don’t want to miss out on the citizenship opportunity when we are this close to getting our US citizenship. Is this even possible without the hassle of staying 6 months in the US and 6 months in India, and would there be any tax implications if one of us continues to work for the same employer in the US remotely from India?
We are aware that we can take 2 years' permission by filing Form I-131 and staying outside the US for 2 years. However, we need more than 2 years to stay outside the US. Also, the citizenship clock resets if we take this option. Is there a way to avoid this?
FAQ Transcript
If you plan to relocate to India with a green card before obtaining U.S. citizenship, it can significantly complicate the naturalization process. To apply for U.S. citizenship, you must meet physical presence requirements: at least 2.5 years in the U.S. over the last five years and no single absence of a year or more. If you stay outside the U.S. for over six months but less than a year, you may need to provide an explanation.
A re-entry permit (Form I-131) allows you to stay outside the U.S. for up to two years without losing your green card, but it does not help with citizenship requirements. Form N-470 can protect your eligibility in limited cases, such as working for a U.S. company’s foreign branch, but it does not guarantee naturalization.
If you stay abroad for more than a year, you will likely need to restart your five-year residency requirement (or four years and one day if a re-entry permit was used). While re-entry permits can be renewed in certain cases, they do not protect your citizenship timeline.
Best advice: Obtain U.S. citizenship first and then relocate, as naturalized citizens can live abroad indefinitely without affecting their status. Please consult your lawyer regarding this.
USCIS Updates Fees Based on H.R. 1
USCIS Updates Fees Based on H.R. 1
Release Date
07/18/2025
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing a federal register notice (FRN) based on the H.R 1 Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 1). Applicants must submit the new fees with benefit requests postmarked on or after July 22, 2025. USCIS will reject any form postmarked on or after Aug. 21, 2025, without the proper fees.
Written Testimony of USCIS Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations
Written testimony of USCIS Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Associate Director Joseph Langlois for a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security hearing titled “Border Security Oversight, Part III: Examining Asylum Requests” Release Date: July 17, 2013
2247 Rayburn House Office Building
Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Directorate
What does Refugee, Asylum and International Operations (RAIO) do?
They are responsible for:
- Conducting protection screenings;
- Adjudicating asylum and refugee applications; and
- Adjudicating other immigration benefits both domestically and internationally.
RAIO is vigilant about fraud detection and national security, relying on careful vetting, innovative screening mechanisms, and sound adjudication.
In-Country Refugee/Parole Processing for Minors in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala (Central American Minors – CAM)
The Central American Minors (CAM) Refugee/Parole Program provides certain qualified minors in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras a safe, legal, and orderly alternative to the dangerous journey that some children are currently undertaking to the United States.
I-131 (Reentry Permit) and N-470 FAQ
USCIS Implements New Immigration Parole Fee Required by H.R. 1
Release Date
10/15/2025
The Department of Homeland Security is publishing a Federal Register notice to implement a new immigration parole fee required by the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill. The fee is $1,000 for FY 2025 and is subject to annual adjustments for inflation. You must pay this fee when you are paroled into the United States, unless you qualify for an exception.
USCIS Announces FY 2026 Inflation Increase for Certain Immigration-Related Fees
Release Date
11/20/2025
USCIS has issued a Federal Register notice that will increase certain H.R. 1 immigration-related fees for fiscal year (FY) 2026. These fee adjustments reflect the amount of inflation from July 2024 through July 2025.