Fill out N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes) online
Form N-470 is used by lawful permanent residents to preserve their continuous residence in the United States for naturalization purposes while employed abroad. Without this approval, extended absences from the U.S. can disrupt the continuous residence requirement needed to qualify for citizenship.
How to fill out N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes)
Confirm eligibility before departure
Verify that you have been a lawful permanent resident for at least one year, have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year after obtaining permanent residence, and that your employment abroad qualifies under the statute.
Enter personal and employment information
Provide your full legal name, A-Number, date of birth, current address, and date you became a permanent resident. Enter details about your employer, the nature of the employment, and the foreign country where you will be working.
Document the qualifying employment
Include a letter from your employer confirming the nature of your overseas assignment, your employment start date, and how the position qualifies under one of the statutory categories (U.S. government, U.S. research institution, American firm in foreign commerce, or qualifying international organization).
Submit before the one-year absence deadline
File the completed form with the filing fee and supporting documents before you have been continuously absent from the United States for one year. USCIS will adjudicate the application and issue a decision.
About N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes)
Who needs this form
Lawful permanent residents who are employed abroad by the U.S. government, a recognized U.S. research institution, a U.S. company engaged in foreign trade or commerce, or certain international organizations, and who need to preserve their continuous residence for naturalization. The application must be filed before the applicant has been outside the U.S. for one continuous year.
Where to submit
File with USCIS by mail to the address listed in the form instructions. The form must be filed before the applicant has been continuously absent from the United States for one year.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-24
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing after being outside the United States continuously for one year (the application must be filed before the one-year mark)
- Not demonstrating that the employment abroad falls within a qualifying category under the Immigration and Nationality Act
- Failing to establish at least one year of continuous physical presence in the U.S. after becoming a permanent resident and before departing
- Assuming N-470 approval also preserves physical presence requirements (it only preserves continuous residence)
Frequently asked questions
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Does N-470 approval also preserve my physical presence requirement for naturalization?
No. Form N-470 only preserves the continuous residence requirement. You must still meet the physical presence requirement for naturalization (typically at least 30 months of physical presence in the U.S. during the five-year statutory period). Time spent abroad, even with N-470 approval, does not count toward physical presence. Plan your travel accordingly to ensure you meet both requirements.
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