N-470
Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes
Form N-470 is for a lawful permanent resident who has to leave the United States for one year or longer for certain employment and wants to preserve continuous residence to pursue naturalization. The instructions say the time spent outside the United States may be counted toward the residency requirement if the form is filed.
The USCIS page lists the qualifying employment: the U.S. government, an American institution of research recognized by USCIS, an American firm or corporation engaged in developing U.S. foreign trade and commerce or certain subsidiaries, a public international organization of which the United States is a member, and certain religious denominations or mission organizations.
The instructions add two notes. A reentry permit is still needed in advance of trips expected to last one year or more. Approval also does not exempt applicants from the physical presence requirements for naturalization unless they are employed by, or under contract with, the U.S. government.
One box for who the absence is on behalf of: the U.S. government, an American institution of research, an American firm developing U.S. foreign trade or protecting its property rights abroad, a public international organization, or a religious denomination or mission.
Names, including the name on the Permanent Resident Card, birth details, addresses, the date you became a permanent resident, every trip of 24 hours or more since then, the job abroad and its intended length, and a question on nonresident tax filings.
Whether permanent resident family members live with you in the United States and will live with you abroad, with the name, date of birth, relationship and A-Number for each one.
Whether you read the form yourself or used an interpreter, whether a preparer helped, your contact details, the certification and your signature.
Contact details, certifications and signatures for anyone who interpreted or prepared the application, plus extra space for longer answers.
The USCIS page lists edition 04/01/24. It says the application is generally filed before or after the employment begins, but before a continuous absence of 1 year. The instructions say filing is possible from outside the United States.
The instructions ask for the A-Number at the top right of each page, padded with zeros to nine digits, so A1234567 becomes A001234567. The USCIS page says it rejects the form if the Part 1 A-Number is missing.
Part 1 asks you to select only one box for the employer or organization the absence is on behalf of.
Item 13 asks for all trips of 24 hours or more since becoming a permanent resident, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, starting with the most recent. Item 14 asks for the job abroad and its intended length.
Type or print in black ink. Write N/A where a question does not apply and None for a zero answer. The instructions suggest starting a new form rather than using correction tape, and using Part 7 for extra space.
The USCIS page says it rejects the form if the applicant's signature in Part 4 is missing. The instructions say a parent or legal guardian may sign for an applicant under 14.
You get the real form, filled in a browser tab, with nothing standing between you and the finished PDF.
The USCIS page lists mailing addresses. By U.S. Postal Service: USCIS, Attn: N-470, P.O. Box 650809, Dallas, TX 75265. By FedEx, UPS or DHL: USCIS, Attn: N-470 (Box 650809), 2501 S. State Hwy. 121, Business Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067. Check the page before you send.
The page says the application is generally filed before or after the employment begins, but before a continuous absence of 1 year. Religious workers may file before or after the absence.
The USCIS page says the filing fee is on its Fee Schedule page, and the instructions point to Form G-1055. Fees can change, so check them on the day you file.
The instructions ask for the evidence they list, legible photocopies unless an original is requested, and a full English translation with the translator's certification for any foreign-language document.
USCIS may ask for an interview or biometrics. The instructions say an applicant who is overseas is told in the notice to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate or USCIS office outside the United States to schedule it.
The page says a representative submits Form G-28 with Form N-470, or at the time of the interview.
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No. The instructions say a reentry permit is still needed in advance of trips outside the United States expected to last one year or more.
Yes. The instructions say the applicant does not have to be in the United States to file, but the form is filed before a continuous absence of one year. Religious workers may also file after returning.
The instructions say the spouse and dependent unmarried sons or daughters receive the same benefit if they are members of the same household and reside with the applicant abroad. Part 3 lists them.
The instructions say approval does not exempt applicants from the physical presence requirements for naturalization unless they are employed by, or under contract with, the U.S. government.
The USCIS page lists only mailing addresses for Form N-470, one for the U.S. Postal Service and one for FedEx, UPS and DHL deliveries.
USCIS fees change, so this page does not list one. The N-470 page points to the USCIS Fee Schedule, and the instructions point to Form G-1055.
