Form N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization

OMB No. 1615-0056; Expires 10/30/06

N-470, Application to Preserve
Residence for Naturalization Purposes

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Instructions
Please read these instructions carefully to properly complete this form. If you need more space to complete an answer, use a separate sheet
(s) of paper. Write your name and Alien Registration Number (A #), if you have one, at the top of each sheet and indicate the number of the
item to which the answer refers. NOTE: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is comprised of offices of the former
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

Use Form N-470 to preserve your lawful permanent
resident status for naturalization purposes.
You will need to give us:

U.S. corporation or as a member of the U.S. military. For
additional information, call our National Customer Service
Center at 1-800-375-5283 or visit our internet website at
www.uscis.gov.

A completed and signed Form N-470

When Should I Use Form N-470?

Documents to support your application

Generally, applicants for naturalization must reside in the
United States for five years (three years if qualifying under
the citizen-spouse exemption) immediately preceding the date
of filing an application for naturalization. Additionally,
naturalization applicants are required to have been physically
present in the United States for at least 30 months of those
five years (18 months if eligible under the citizen-spouse
exemption).
Permanent residents who remain outside the United States for
more than one uninterrupted year will disrupt their
naturalization residence requirement, unless they are the
beneficiaries of an approved Form N-470.

Appropriate filing fee
See Step 3 for specific filing instructions.

What Is the Purpose of This Form?
In certain limited situations, a person may be able to preserve
residency, previously accumulated for naturalization
purposes, even though he or she may be residing outside the
United States for longer than one year. Thus the time spent
abroad may be counted toward the residency requirement.
These cases involve persons employed in specific jobs in the
United States government and private sector as well as
religious organizations.
To obtain approval to preserve residency, such permanent
residents must file a Form N-470 application before departing
from the United States.

You should use Form N-470 if you are a lawful permanent
resident (permanent resident) who will be absent from the
United States for more than one year due to qualifying
employment and you want to preserve your residence for
naturalization purposes.

The regulations are different for religious workers proceeding
abroad to perform religious duties. Religious workers may
apply before or after departure, or after return to the United
States. They are not required to have lived in the United
States for a specific period of time prior to filing Form N-470.

Please note that in most cases you must have been physically
present and residing in the United States for an uninterrupted
period, without any absences whatsoever, for at least one
year after your admission as a lawful permanent resident
before you can file a Form N-470.

Filing a Form N-470 does not relieve a permanent resident
from obtaining a reentry permit, in advance of trips outside
the United States for a year or more, nor does it relieve the
applicant from the naturalization law's physical presence
requirement.

In addition, you must submit the Form N-470 to USCIS
before you have been absent from the United States for a
continuous period of one year. However, if your absence
from the United States is, was or will be solely as a clergyman
or clergywoman, missionary, brother, nun or sister of a
religious denomination or interdenominational mission
organization having a bona fide organization within the
United States, you may file this application before or after an
absence of one year or more.
For additional information regarding qualifying employment
and eligibility, see Step 1 of these instructions.

An applicant qualifying for the residency preservation may
extend the benefit to his or her spouse and dependent children
who are all members of the same household and have lived
with the principal applicant while abroad.
Another exception to the residency requirement is made for
alien members of the U.S. armed forces. A permanent
resident employee of the U.S. government abroad who has
filed a Form N-470 is considered physically present in the
United States during such employment abroad. He or she
does not need to obtain a reentry permit.
NOTE: As a naturalization applicant, you may be eligible for
expeditious processing if your U.S. citizen spouse is
employed outside the United States as a missionary, or by a

How Do I File Form N-470?
You do not have to be in the United States to file Form N-470,
but you must file it before you have been absent for a
continuous period of one year. However, members of a
qualifying religious or interdenominational mission
organization may file Form N-470 before or after an absence
of one year or more.
Form N-470 (Rev. 10/26/05) Y

You may include in your application a qualifying spouse and
dependent unmarried children, sons and daughters. These
family members must be permanent residents and are or will be
residing outside of the United States as members of your
household.
Follow the steps below to complete your application:
Step 1 - Reason for Filing Form N-470
Step 2 - Fill Out the Form N-470
Step 3 - Submit Your Application

Notice
USCIS wants to make sure that you receive the requested
benefit. To do this, we may ask for more evidence, interview
you and/or conduct an investigation. If you give us false
documents, misrepresent facts or otherwise engage in fraud,
USCIS will take appropriate action. This means we will not
only deny your application, you may lose current and future
immigration benefits. You may also face penalties, including
criminal and/or civil prosecution leading to fines and/or
imprisonment.

Step 1. Reason for Filing Form N-470.

Step 2. Fill Out the Form N-470.
Use black ink. Type or print clearly using capital letters. If
an item does not apply to you, write "N/A." If the answer is
none, write "NONE."
This form is divided into Parts 1 through 5. The following
information should help you fill out the form.

Part 1. Information about you.
Family Name (Last name) - Give your legal name. If you
have two last names, include both and use a hyphen (-)
between the names, if appropriate.
Home Address - Give your physical street address. This
must include a street number and name or a rural route
number. Do not put a post office box (P.O. Box) number
here.
Mailing Address - Give your mailing address, if different
from your address.
Daytime Telephone Number - Give a telephone number
with area code where you can be reached during the day.
Country of Birth - Give the name of the country where
you were born.

Check the box in Part 2 of Form N-470 that applies to your
request.

Country of Citizenship - Give the name of the country of
which you are a citizen.

My absence from the United States is:

Date of Birth - Use eight numbers to show your date of
birth (example: May 1, 1979, should be written 05/01/1979).

On behalf of the U.S. Government - Check Box A if you
are, or will be employed by, or are under contract with the U.
S. Government. This includes members of the U.S. Armed
Services.
For the purpose of carrying on scientific research on
behalf of an American institution of research - Check
Box B if you are employed by a qualifying organization.
For the purpose of engaging in the development of
foreign trade and commerce of the United States on
behalf of an American firm or corporation or a
subsidiary thereof - Check Box C if you are employed by a
qualifying firm or corporation.
Necessary to the protection of property rights outside the
United States of an American firm or corporation
engaged in the development of foreign trade and
commerce of the United States - Check Box D if you are
employed to perform such services.
On behalf of a public international organization of which
the United States is a member- Check Box E if you are
employed by a qualifying organization.
NOTE: Your employment cannot have started until after
your admission as a permanent resident.
Solely because of my capacity as a clergyman or
clergywoman, missionary, nun, or sister of a
denomination or mission having a bona fide organization
in the United States - Check Box F if you are to serve in
such capacity for a qualifying mission or organization.

A # - This is your Alien Registration File Number. It can
be found on your Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card.
U.S. Social Security # - If you do not have a U.S. Social
Security number, leave this blank.

Part 2 - Reason for request.
Check one box that applies to your particular request.
Note that your absence from the United States is:
-- On behalf of the U. S. Government.
-- For the purpose of carrying on scientific research on
behalf of an American institution of research.
-- For the purpose of engaging in the development of foreign
trade and commerce of the United States on behalf of an
American firm or corporation or a subsidiary thereof.
-- Necessary for the protection of property rights outside the
United States of an American firm or corporation engaged
in the development of foreign trade and commerce of the
United States.
-- On behalf of a public international organization of which
the United States is a member.
-- Soley because of your capacity as a clergyman or
clergywoman, missionary, brother, nun or sister of a
denomination or mission, having a bona fide organization
in the United States.
Form N-470 (Rev. 10/26/05) Y Page 2

Part 3 - Additional information.
Number 1 - Give the date you entered the United States as
a lawful permanent resident or the date you adjusted status
to that of a lawful permanent resident.
Number 2 - Mark the appropriate box.
Number 3 - When furnishing information regarding
absences, you must show each departure from and return
to the United States, including absences in foreign
contiguous countries (i.e., Canada, Mexico), no matter
how short.
Numbers 4 through 7 - Give all the requested information.

Part 4 - Signature.
As the applicant, you must sign and date the Form N-470.
If you do not sign the form, the application will be
returned as incomplete.

Part 5 - Signature of person preparing form,
if other than the applicant.
If you, the applicant, did not fill out Form N-470, the
preparer must also sign, date and give his or her address.

Step 3. Submit Your N-470.
Your must include the following items.

Your signed and completed Form N-470.
Filing fee. The filing fee for Form N-470 is $155.00.
Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or
money order for the application fee.

-- The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or
other financial institution located in the United States
and must be payable in U.S. currency; and
-- Make the check or money order payable to the
Department of Homeland Security, unless:
If you live in Guam and are filing your application
there, make it payable to the Treasurer, Guam.
If you live in the U.S. Virgin Islands and are filing
your application there, make it payable to the
Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands.

-- Your check or money order must be honored by the
bank or financial institution on which it is drawn. If it
is not, we will charge you a fee and your application
and any document issued to you will not be valid.
NOTE: Please spell out Department of Homeland
Security. Do not use the initials "USDHS" or "DHS."
How to Check If the Fee Is Correct.
The fee on this form is current as of the edition date
appearing in the lower right corner of this page. However,
because USCIS fees change periodically, you can verify if
the fee is correct by following one of the steps below:
-- Visit our website at www.uscis.gov and scroll down to
"Forms and E-Filing" to check the appropriate fee, or
-- Review the Fee Schedule included in your form
package, if you called us to request the form, or
-- Telephone our National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 and ask for the fee information.

Evidence. Attach copies, showing the front and back
of the following documents, if available. Do not send
original documents unless instructed to do so.
As evidence of your eligibility, submit letters or affidavits
from the appropriate officer or the department or agency of
the U.S. Government, American research institution,
American firm or corporation, public international
organization, or religious denomination or interdenomination
mission organization. Depending on the circumstances why
you are applying to preserve your residence, the letters or
affidavits should include the following documentation:
-- An official communication from the appropriate office of
the department or agency of the U.S. Government, or the
public international organization; or
-- Affidavit or affidavits executed by the appropriate
administrative official of the American institution or
religious denomination or interdenominational mission
for whom you are, were or will be employed or with
whom you entered into a contract; or by the appropriate
administrative official of the American firm or
corporation, or subsidiary thereof by whom you are or
will be employed.

Form N-470 (Rev. 10/26/05) Y Page 3

-- When an affidavit is made with respect to employment by
such firm, corporation or subsidiary, it should state:
The title of the official making the affidavit, the name
of the firm or corporation in which he or she holds
office and whether he or she has access to records of
the same.
Whether the employing organization is an American
firm or corporation engaged in the development of
foreign trade and commerce of the United States, or
subsidiary thereof.

In addition, you must submit the following evidence.
-- Attach a copy showing the front and back of your I-551,
Permanent Resident Card.
-- Copies of legal evidence of a name change or date of birth
(See Part 3 of the form).
-- A complete copy of all passports in your possession,
expired or unexpired, issued to you since your admission
as a permanent resident to the United States.

The nature of the business conducted by the employing
organization, church, religious denomination or
interdenominational mission organization.

Translations. Any document in a foreign language must be
accompanied by a full English translation that the translator
has verified as complete and correct. The translator must
certify that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign
language into English.

If it is a corporation, the name of the State under laws
of which it was organized, the date of incorporation
and that it is existent.

What is the effect of claiming
nonresident alien status?

If it is a subsidiary (whether American or foreign) of an
American firm or corporation engaged in the
development of foreign trade and commerce of the
United States, the affidavit should be:

-- Executed by an appropriate administrative
official of the parent organization, and

-- Should state the facts of ownership and/or

After having been admitted to the United States as a
permanent resident, if you claim or claimed nonresident alien
status under the income tax laws, you may be regarded as
having abandoned your residence in the United States and as
having lost permanent resident status under the immigration
and nationality laws. Consequently, you may be or become
ineligible for naturalization or for preservation of residence.
If you have claimed nonresident alien status, submit a full
explanation. This should be written on a separate sheet(s) of
paper.

control of the subsidiary, and

-- Should state the exact percentage of stock

What is the effect on employment changes
or on a valid document for reentry?

owned by the parent organization.
The facts of your employment, including the nature of
the services performed by you during the period or
periods of absence to be considered.
Whether you will be engaged in the development of
foreign trade and commerce of the United States; or
Your absence from the United States was or will be
necessary for the protection of the property rights
abroad of the employing firm or corporation or
subsidiary during the period or periods of absence to be
considered; or

Approval of this application will be only for the employment
and conditions stated. Any changes of employment must be
approved by a new application.
Approval of this application will not relieve you of the
requirement to present a valid document for reentry into the
United States.

Submit your application.
You should submit your application at the USCIS district or
suboffice having jurisdiction over your place of residence in
the United States.

Solely in the capacity of a regularly ordained
clergyman or clergywoman, missionary, brother, nun
or sister; and
In the case where employment is for a public
international organization, the date when and place
where you were first employed.
Form N-470 (Rev. 10/26/05) Y Page 4

Processing Information.
Our goal at USCIS is to process all applications fairly. The
processing time will vary, depending on the specific
circumstances of each case. We may reject an incomplete
application. We may deny your application if you do not give
us the requested information or do not go to a scheduled
interview.

Check List
Did you completely fill out and sign the form?
Did you attach all required evidence?
Did you attach a check or money order for the
application fee?
You should keep copies of your application and documents
for your records.

Address Changes. If you change your address, you must
submit a completed Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address
Card. Mail it to USCIS address listed on the form.
USCIS Forms and Information. To request USCIS forms,
call our toll-free forms line at 1-800-870-3676. You may also
get USCIS forms and information about immigration laws,
regulations and procedures by calling our National Customer
Services Center at 1-800-375-5283 or from our internet
website at www.uscis.gov.
Use InfoPass for Appointments. As an alternative to waiting
in line for assistance at your local USCIS office, you can now
schedule an appointment through our internet-based system,
InfoPass. To access the system, visit our website at www.
uscis.gov. Use the InfoPass appointment scheduler and
follow the screen prompts to set up your appointment.
InfoPass generates an electronic appointment notice that
appears on the screen. Print the notice and take it with you to
your appointment. The notice gives the time and date of your
appointment, along with the address of the USCIS office.
Privacy Act Notice. USCIS will use the information on Form
N-470 to determine eligibility for the requested benefit. We
may provide information on your application to other
government agencies.
Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. An agency may not
conduct or sponsor an information collection and you are not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it
displays a current valid OMB control number. USCIS tries to
create forms and instructions that are accurate, can be easily
understood and that impose the least possible burden on you
to provide us with information. Often this is difficult because
some immigration laws are very complex.
The estimated average time to complete and file this
application is as follows: (1) 10 minutes to learn about the law
and form; (2) 35 minutes to complete the form; (3) 15
minutes to assemble and file the application; for a total
estimated average of 1 hour per response.
If you have comments regarding the accuracy of this estimate
or suggestions for making this form simpler, write to: U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Regulatory
Management Division, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20529. Do not mail your completed
application to this address.
Form N-470 (Rev. 10/26/05) Y Page 5

OMB No. 1615-0056; Expires 10/30/06

N-470, Application to Preserve
Residence for Naturalization Purposes

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

START HERE - Please type or print in black ink.

Part 1.

For USCIS Use Only
Returned

Information about you. (Person filing this application)

Family Name

Given Name

A # (if any)

Middle Name

U.S. Social Security # (if any)

Home Address - Street Number and Name

Apt. #

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Receipt

Date
Date
Resubmitted
Date
Date
Reloc Sent
Date

Mailing Address - Street Number and Name

Apt. #

Date
Reloc Rec'd
Date

C/O (in care of):

Date
Remarks

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Daytime Phone # (Area/Country Code)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Country of Birth

Country of Citizenship

Part 2. Reason for request.
My absence from the United States is: (Check one box.)
A.

On behalf of the U.S. Government.

B.

For the purpose of carrying on scientific research on behalf of an American
institution of research.

C.

For the purpose of engaging in the development of foreign trade and commerce
of the United States on behalf of an American firm or corporation or a
subsidiary thereof.

D.

Necessary for the protection of property rights outside the United States of an
American firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and
commerce of the United States.

E.

On behalf of a public international organization of which the United States is a
member.

F.

Solely because of my capacity as a clergyman or clergywoman, missionary,
brother, nun or sister of a denomination or mission having a bona fide
organization in the United States.

Action Block

To Be Completed by
Attorney or Representative, if any.
Fill in box if G-28 is attached
to represent the applicant.
ATTY State License #

Form N-470 (Rev. 10/26/05) Y

Part 3. Additional information.
1. Give the date that you obtained lawful permanent resident status.
Enter date (mm/dd/yyyy)
2. Since lawfully entry as a permanent resident, have you resided in and been physically present in the United States for an
uninterrupted period of at least one year?
Yes
No
3. List all you absences from the United States since your admission as a lawful permanent resident. Begin with your most recent trip.
Date of Departure
(mm/dd/yyyy)

Date of Return
(mm/dd/yyyy)

Port of Entry Into
the United States

Purpose of Trip

4. Explain the position of employment that requires your absence from the United States and the intended length of employment.

5. Is the name you provided in Part 1 different from the name that appears on your Form I-551, Permanent
Resident Card?
Yes
No
If "Yes," note the information that is different. You must provide evidence showing the legal basis for the difference.

6. Since becoming a lawful permanent resident, have you ever filed an income tax return as a nonresident
or otherwise claimed or received benefits as a nonresident alien under U.S. federal, state or local
income tax laws?
Yes
No
7. Are other family members who are lawful permanent residents intending to reside outside the United States
with you?
Yes
No
Give the following information about other family members who will reside outside the United States with you.
Name (Last/First/Middle)

Date of Birth
(mm/dd/yyyy)

Relationship

A # (if applicable)

Part 4. Signature. Read the information on penalties in the instructions before completing this part.
I certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America, that this application and the evidence submitted
with it is all true and correct. I authorize the release of any information from my records that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services needs to determine eligibility for the benefit sought.
Signature
Daytime Phone Number (with area code) E-Mail Address (if any)
Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

NOTE: If you do not completely fill out this form or fail to submit required documents listed in the instructions, you may not be found eligible
for the requested document and this application may be denied.

Part 5. Signature of person preparing form, if other than above.

(Sign below)

I declare that I prepared this application at the request of the applicant and it is based on all information of which I have knowledge.
Signature
Print or Type Your Name
Firm Name and Address
Daytime Phone Number (with area code)

Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
E-Mail Address (if any)

Fax Number (if any)

Form N-470 (Rev. 10/26/05) Y Page 2