How we calculate USA eligibility

Our USA calculator follows the USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 12 Part D precisely. We check both Physical Presence (Ch. 4) and Continuous Residence (Ch. 5):

1. 1

   1. Identify the qualifying period

   Counting backward from N-400 filing date: 5 years (standard) or 3 years (spouse of US citizen).

2. 2

   2. Calculate physical presence

   Total days in the qualifying period minus days absent. Per USCIS, any portion of a calendar day in the US counts as a full day. So departure & return days both count as PRESENT, not absent. Need ≥913 days (5y) or ≥548 days (3y).

3. 3

   3. Identify longest single trip outside the US

   The longest single absence determines continuous residence risk: <150 days (safe), 150-180 (warning), 181-364 (rebuttable break), 365+ (automatic break).

4. 4

   4. Apply continuous residence rules

   A trip of 181+ days creates a REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION that continuous residence was broken. A trip of 365+ days breaks it AUTOMATICALLY — you must re-establish residence.

5. 5

   5. Determine overall eligibility

   Eligible if (a) physical presence ≥ required AND (b) longest trip < 181 days. Color coding: green (safe), amber (borderline), red (likely issues).