Are there any circumstances in which a person can obtain US citizenship while failing the physical presence residency test?
- I am a Canadian Citizen, married to a US Citizen (5+ years), with a daughter who is a US Citizen (born in the USA)
- I am a US Permanent Resident (Have a Green Card)
- I have been approved for an N-470, which allows my time outside the US to count toward US citizenship, and to retain my permanent residency status (Green Card) while living / working outside the US (it is an approved absence)
My understanding of the N-470, is that while it allows me to count time outside the US toward citizenship, it does not kick in until we move back to the United States, and file a petition from there.
FYI, we are also maintaining a physical residency (home) in the State of Michigan, and I file my US taxes, every year.
ARE THERE ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH I CAN APPLY FOR US CITIZENSHIP BEFORE WE MOVE BACK TO THE US? I am out of the country for work and not sure how soon we'll be able to return.
Also, when traveling back to the US to visit family, etc., should I be declaring my place of residence as the US home which we are maintaining, but failing to live in for more than 6 months per year, or the foreign address (a home we own) which is temporary in nature, even though we are here 90% of the time and probably will be for at least 3 more years???

