What this calculator does
This calculator projects when a lawful permanent resident becomes eligible for naturalization, and the earliest date to file Form N-400, based on the standard 5-year continuous residency requirement or the 3-year rule for those married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse.
Worked example
Green card date of March 10, 2022 under the standard 5-year rule gives an eligibility date of March 10, 2027, with an earliest filing date 90 days earlier, onDecember 10, 2026.
Common mistakes
- Filing before the 90-day window opens. Applications submitted too early can be rejected — the window is exactly 90 days before your eligibility date, not more.
- Choosing the wrong residency rule. The 3-year rule has additional conditions (marriage to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse) beyond simply being married — verify eligibility carefully.
- Ignoring absences from the U.S. Trips abroad longer than 6 months (or especially 1 year) can disrupt continuous residence and delay eligibility — this calculator doesn't account for travel history.
- Letting travel documents lapse in the meantime. A years-long wait to eligibility is also long enough for a passport to need renewal — check its expiry separately.