I have green card since 1999 i want apply for citizen ship ?

Question

i left United States of America sine 2001 can i now return to USA and apply for citizen there or can i renew my greencard expire 2009 can some one guide me to the right answer,thanks

Answer 1

Let me get this straight:

You have a green card since 1999, but you left the USA in 2001 and have not lived in the USA since. Your green card is valid until 2009 and you would like to apply for US citizenship.

Is that correct?

If that is correct, then the answer is no. Because you have been outside of the USA for more than 2 years, your green card is no longer valid. In order to apply for citizenship, you have to maintain permanent residence in the US for 5 years.

If a permanent resident leaves the USA for more than 6 months, that constitutes an interruption in their time as a permanent resident.

If a permanent resident leaves the USA for more than 12 months, they need a re-entry permit to re-enter the USA, otherwise their green card is no longer valid. The re-entry permit must be applied for BEFORE leaving the USA, and allows you to stay outside of the USA for up to 2 years.

If a permanent resident remains outside of the USA for more than 2 years, their status as a permanent resident is revoked without possibility of reinstatement.

So if the above applies to you, your green card is now useless.

Please post more details if I have misunderstood you.