# When can a green card holder apply?

Works out the earliest date a green card holder can file for U.S. citizenship (Form N-400): 90 days before the 5-year or 3-year resident date, and the days left.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/days/citizenship-date-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/days/citizenship-date-calculator.json
- Version: 31ce4fd10d50

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Resident since March 15, 2022, Residence period 5 years, Count from October 5, 2026) on the example date Monday, October 5, 2026: With a green card dated March 15, 2022, you can file for citizenship from Tuesday, December 15, 2026.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| since | Resident since | The “Resident Since” date on your green card (permanent resident card). |
| yrs | Residence period | 5 years for most permanent residents; 3 years if you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen. |
| on | Count from | The date to count the days from. Today, unless you change it. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| file | Earliest filing date | Resident since + 5 or 3 years − 90 days: the first day USCIS accepts Form N-400. |
| anniversary | Residence period met | Resident since + 5 or 3 years. |
| days | Days until you can file | Days from the count-from date to the earliest filing date; 0 when you can file now. |
| status | Status | Whether you can file on the count-from date. |

## Method

residence date = resident since + 5 years (or 3); earliest filing date = residence date − 90 days.

## Assumptions

- Only the residence date is checked. You must also meet physical presence, 3 months in your state or district, good moral character and the other requirements.
- A February 29 resident date reaches its anniversary on February 28 in a common year.
- Long trips abroad can break continuous residence and move the date; this page does not count trips.

## Worked examples

1. since = 2022-03-15, yrs = 5, on = 2026-10-05 gives anniversary = 2027-03-15, file = 2026-12-15, days = 71, status = Not yet: 71 days to go. Source: USCIS, Early Filing Calculator (file up to 90 days before you reach the 5-year or 3-year permanent resident date), https://www.uscis.gov/archive/uscis-early-filing-calculator (retrieved 2026-10-05).
2. since = 2023-06-01, yrs = 3, on = 2026-10-05 gives anniversary = 2026-06-01, file = 2026-03-03, days = 0. Source: USCIS, Early Filing Calculator (file up to 90 days before you reach the 5-year or 3-year permanent resident date), https://www.uscis.gov/archive/uscis-early-filing-calculator (retrieved 2026-10-05); 8 CFR 334.2(b): an application may be filed up to 90 days before the end of the required period of residence, https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/8/334.2 (retrieved 2026-10-05).
3. since = 2020-02-29, yrs = 5, on = 2024-01-01 gives anniversary = 2025-02-28, file = 2024-11-30, days = 334. Source: USCIS, Early Filing Calculator (file up to 90 days before you reach the 5-year or 3-year permanent resident date), https://www.uscis.gov/archive/uscis-early-filing-calculator (retrieved 2026-10-05).

## FAQ

### When can I apply for citizenship with a green card?

Most permanent residents can file Form N-400 up to 90 days before the 5-year anniversary of the “Resident Since” date on their green card. A card dated March 15, 2022 reaches 5 years on March 15, 2027, so you can file from December 15, 2026.

### What if I am married to a U.S. citizen?

If you have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse for 3 years, the period is 3 years instead of 5. You can still file 90 days early.

### What happens if I file too early?

USCIS denies an N-400 filed more than 90 days before the residence date, and does not refund the fee. File on or after the earliest filing date.

### Does the 90-day window cover every requirement?

No. It covers only continuous residence. You must also meet physical presence (30 months in 5 years, or 18 in 3), 3 months in your state or USCIS district, good moral character, and the English and civics test.

### Can trips abroad change the date?

Yes. A trip of more than 6 months may break continuous residence, and a trip of a year or more breaks it. This page assumes no such trip.

### Which date on the green card counts?

The “Resident Since” date, the day you became a permanent resident. For a conditional resident who removed conditions, it is still the first card’s date.

## Sources

- USCIS, Early Filing Calculator: file up to 90 days before reaching the 5-year or 3-year permanent resident date. https://www.uscis.gov/archive/uscis-early-filing-calculator (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- 8 CFR 334.2(b): filing up to 90 days before the end of the required period of residence. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/8/334.2 (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- USCIS, I am a Lawful Permanent Resident of 5 Years: the other requirements. https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization/i-am-a-lawful-permanent-resident-of-5-years (retrieved 2026-10-05)