USCIS Form N-470: Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes

Quick answer

What is USCIS Form N-470 used for?

Use this form if you are a lawful permanent resident who must leave the United States for a period of one year or longer to engage in qualifying employment and you want to preserve your residence to pursue naturalization. In general, you must have been physically present in the United States as an LPR for an uninterrupted period of at least 1 year prior to working outside the U.S. Qualifying employment outside the U.S. includes being: Employed by or under contract with the U.S. government; Employed by or under contract with an entity that is currently recognized by USCIS as an American institution of research; Employed by an American firm or corporation engaged in the development of U.S. foreign trade and commerce, or a subsidiary thereof if more than 50 percent of its stock is owned by an American firm or corporation; Employed by a public international organization of which the United States is a member by treaty or statute and by which the applicant was not employed until after becoming an LPR; or Engaged solely for the purpose of performing the ministerial or priestly functions of a religious denomination that has a bona fide organization in the United States, or engaged solely by a religious denomination or interdenominational mission organization having a bona fide organization within the United States as a missionary, brother, nun, or sister.

What to prepare before filling N-470

1. 01

   Confirm that Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes, matches the specific benefit, request, verification, or record you need.

2. 02

   Download the current Form N-470 and its separate instructions from USCIS, then compare the edition date before typing any answers.

3. 03

   For Form N-470, collect the identity records, receipt or account numbers, dates, addresses, and prior immigration documents that support your answers.

4. 04

   Because Form N-470 concerns employment or business activity, reconcile employer, job, wage, ownership, and work-authorization facts with the supporting records.

Current official filing details

The details below are condensed from the USCIS page reviewed on 2026-07-26. Follow the official page and instructions if they differ from this snapshot.

Official N-470 downloads and filing links

USCIS Form N-470 FAQ