The physical presence requirement is a key part of the naturalization process for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) applying to become U.S. citizens. To qualify, applicants must have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the five years (or 18 months out of three years if applying based on marriage to a U.S. citizen) immediately before filing Form N-400. This means that actual, physical time spent inside the U.S. is counted—not just residency or holding a green card.
Lawful Permanent Residents are not issued an I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) upon entry to the U.S., so there is no official, centralized record of their travel in and out of the country unless they have maintained their own documentation. Without an I-94, it’s the applicant’s responsibility to accurately track and report all international trips lasting 24 hours or more on the N-400 application, including the dates of departure and return.
One of the most effective ways to verify your travel history is by reviewing saved airline tickets or travel itineraries, if available. If you no longer have these documents, checking the camera roll on your smartphone can help pinpoint travel dates—photos taken at airports, landmarks, or in other countries often include metadata with time and location. Using these tools can help you accurately reconstruct your time outside of the U.S. to meet the physical presence requirement and avoid delays or issues in the naturalization process.
