Does not spending a full 6 months in the country with residency status affect my ability to take the us citizenship?

Question

I would like to take the test in Spanish it requires 50 years of age and 20 years in the country with permanent residence status. I have been here for 23 years with permanent residency but my first 5 years I used to spend less the 6 months in the country because of educational schooling back in my native born country. Would that 5 year period affect my ability to take the us citizenship test in Spanish?

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

Based on the information you provided, spending less than 6 months per year in the United States during your first 5 years as a permanent resident should not affect your eligibility to take the U.S. citizenship test in Spanish, as long as you meet the other requirements. 
 
To be eligible for the Spanish-language test exemption, you must: 
 
1. Be 50 years old or older at the time of filing for naturalization. 
2. Have lived in the United States as a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 20 years. 
 
It is important to note that the 20 years of permanent residence do not need to be continuous. As long as you have maintained your permanent resident status and meet the age requirement, you should be eligible for the Spanish-language test. 
 
However, it is always best to consult with an immigration attorney or contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) directly to confirm your eligibility and ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements for naturalization.

Q: Does not spending a full 6 months in the country with residency status affect my ability to take the us citizenship?