LPR. Spent 1year+ abroad after meeting 5 year residency requirement. Can I apply?

[ddelapena]

Hello everyone,

I am a legal permanent resident. I have already met the 5 year continuous residency requirement, but had to spend more than one year outside the United States afterwards (with a re-entry permit). Can I still apply for citizenship? Does continuous residence have to be the 5 years prior to application, or does the five years of continuous residence before my breaking it already count?

[rayb]

Your one-year outside the U.S., which would have included a period "exceeding 6 months" may be a deal breaker for your "continuous residency" requirement for Naturalization.

--Ray B

Hello everyone,

I am a legal permanent resident. I have already met the 5 year continuous residency requirement, but had to spend more than one year outside the United States afterwards (with a re-entry permit). Can I still apply for citizenship? Does continuous residence have to be the 5 years prior to application, or does the five years of continuous residence before my breaking it already count?