What is Form N-470?
Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes, is vital for certain U.S. residents who plan to be outside the country for extended periods. This form helps maintain their residency status, which is essential for naturalization. By filing it, applicants can protect their residency while meeting the requirements for citizenship. It ensures that time spent abroad does not affect their naturalization process, allowing them to return and continue their journey toward becoming a U.S. citizen.
What is Form N-470 used for?
Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes, helps certain applicants maintain their residence status while living abroad:
- to apply for naturalization while outside the U.S.
- to preserve residence for naturalization eligibility.
- to request exemption from continuous residence requirements.
How to fill out Form N-470?
- 1
Read the instructions on Form N-470 carefully to understand requirements.
- 2
Fill in your personal information, including name, address, and immigration status.
- 3
Provide details about your time abroad and explain why you need to preserve your residence.
- 4
Attach any required evidence, such as travel documents or employment letters.
- 5
Review your completed form to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- 6
Check official resources for the latest information on signature requirements before signing.
Who is required to fill out Form N-470?
Form N-470 is completed by lawful permanent residents leaving the U.S. for specific employment purposes. It helps preserve their residency status for naturalization.
After completion, the form is used by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to evaluate residency claims for naturalization.
When is Form N-470 not required?
If you are a U.S. citizen or have already been naturalized, you do not need to file Form N-470. Lawful permanent residents who do not plan to naturalize also skip this form.
Additionally, spouses of U.S. citizens working abroad, who qualify under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), are exempt from continuous residence requirements. Lastly, if your absence from the U.S. is less than one year, Form N-470 is not required.
When is Form N-470 due?
The deadline for Form N-470 is generally before the applicant has been absent from the United States for a continuous period of one year.
For religious workers, this form can be filed before leaving the U.S., after departing, or after returning. Most applicants should file it after being physically present and residing in the U.S. for at least one uninterrupted year after becoming a permanent resident.
How to get a blank Form N-470?
To get a blank Form N-470, visit our website. You can fill out the pre-loaded version directly in our editor and download it for your records.
This form is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
How to sign Form N-470?
To sign form N-470, you must provide a handwritten signature. First, download the PDF version of the form and print it.
Once printed, sign where indicated. Always check the latest guidelines to ensure compliance.
Where to file Form N-470?
Form N-470 should be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Sumbission methods: mail.
