widow of us citizen

[cora]

Hi everyone,
I am a widow of a US citizen who lived in the Philippines.
I have been in the USA for 2 years with a permanent resident green card.
I am confused on how long I have to wait to apply for USA citizenship . Some say 3 years because I am a widow and some say 5 years. Can someone please advise me?
thanks so kindly

[MaryH]

If u obtained your Residency based on marrying a US Citizen, even though he has passed, you would still be elegable to apply under the three years' guidelines. You application can be submitted three months prior to the; Three Years' Anniversary of having your Permanent Resident Card.

[cora]

Thank you Mary

If u obtained your Residency based on marrying a US Citizen, even though he has passed, you would still be elegable to apply under the three years' guidelines. You application can be submitted three months prior to the; Three Years' Anniversary of having your Permanent Resident Card.

Thank you Mary.

[rayb]

Mary,

I don't believe it is quite as clear as you make out. Being married to a U.S. citizen who dies does not automatically give one eligibility Naturalization. The couple must have lived together (before he died) for three years.

I am willing to be corrected on this point, but I can't find any information from USCIS indicating that being with a husband less than three years before his death allows eligibility to apply naturalization.

But, for what's it's worth, one Filipina on another forum was married to a U.S. citizen who died within 4 months of the three-year timeframe, and she was approved during her interview, so perhaps there is some flexibility on this requirement.

--Ray B

If u obtained your Residency based on marrying a US Citizen, even though he has passed, you would still be elegable to apply under the three years' guidelines. You application can be submitted three months prior to the; Three Years' Anniversary of having your Permanent Resident Card.

[blackbay]

The same problem

Hi everyone,
I am a widow of a US citizen who lived in the Philippines.
I have been in the USA for 2 years with a permanent resident green card.
I am confused on how long I have to wait to apply for USA citizenship . Some say 3 years because I am a widow and some say 5 years. Can someone please advise me?
thanks so kindly

Hello All,
I am having the same question. I went for my Citizen interview and the immigration officer said I have to wait 5 yrs but she is not sure and will check. I tho it was 3 yrs. Can someone please send me a link to a US government website that says 3 yrs so I can mail it to the immigration officer.