The wife of a US citizen, after getting her green card, can become a citizen after 3 years instead of the 5 year requirement.  Anyone aware of an additional requirement where you still have to maintain a residence for the full 5 years even though you were allowed to become a citizen at 3 years?

 

Thanks

In my limited experience (only one foreign wife) she may be eligible for US citizenship based upon your marriage in three years, but it might take as long as a year for the paperwork, background information, etc. to be completed 

 

The only time I have heard the five years mentioned is when it concerns US Social Security eligibility (survivors benefits)

From the USCIS website...summarizes the naturalization requirements for most types of applicants

 

Who Is Eligible for Naturalization?

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/article/chapter4.pdf

On ‎1‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 9:08 AM, Langsuan Man said:

The only time I have heard the five years mentioned is when it concerns US Social Security eligibility (survivors benefits)

I thought that the comment made about the 5 year requirement pertained to citizenship.  But now that I look back it was pertaining to SS survivor benefits.

 

I was not aware of a separate residency requirement for SS survivors benefits. 

 

So she can become a citizen at the 3 year mark, but can't draw SS unless she meets the 5 year residency requirement?  She can't draw until age 60, so she has another 13 years to go.  So as long as she lives in the USA for 5 of those 13 that would satisfy the requirement? 

 

Thanks