How Long Does It Take to Obtain U.S. Citizenship? The Most Accurate Timeline

Obtaining U.S. citizenship is a dream for many residents worldwide because it grants privileges only available to U.S. citizens, including holding one of the most powerful passports in the world, which allows visa-free travel to 189 countries.

However, to become a U.S. citizen, you must first go through a period of legal permanent residency with a green card and live in the U.S. for a specified duration.

So, how long does it take to obtain U.S. citizenship after immigration? The following article by ImmiPath addresses this question and provides more information about U.S. citizenship. See it now!

1. How Long does it take to Obtain U.S. Citizenship After Immigration?

A common question is how long it takes to become a U.S. citizen. Generally, the eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship requires 3 years of residence in the U.S. if married to a U.S. citizen, and 5 years for those under family sponsorship, investment, or employment-based visas.

The average processing time for citizenship application (naturalization) is 9 months, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). During this time, while the government processes the naturalization application, the applicant must complete several steps before becoming a citizen.

In practice, the naturalization process may take longer or shorter, depending on the applicant’s location. This is because some USCIS offices process applications much faster than others.

2. What Steps are Included in the Process of Obtaining U.S. Citizenship?

To obtain U.S. citizenship, you need to ensure the following procedures:

1. Submit Application for Citizenship: First, you need to complete and submit Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) along with the application fee. This can be done online or by mailing a paper application.
2. Schedule Biometrics Appointment: Next, you will need to schedule an appointment to provide fingerprints at a local USCIS office.
3. Interview and Citizenship Test: You will then undergo an interview and take a test to assess your English language skills and knowledge of U.S. history and government.
4. Oath of Allegiance Ceremony: After your application is approved, you will attend a Naturalization Oath Ceremony, which is the final step to becoming a U.S. citizen.
5. Start Receiving Citizen Benefits: Once you are a citizen, you can begin receiving benefits such as Social Security and Medicare, register to vote, and obtain a U.S. passport.

Important Notes:

• For applicants applying from abroad or based on military service, the process may have some variations.
• The steps and processing times may vary depending on the USCIS office handling your case.

3. How Long Does it take to Get Citizenship in the U.S.?

The time required to be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship is typically 3 years (for those married to a U.S. citizen) or 5 years (for those under family sponsorship, investment, or employment-based categories). The average processing time for the citizenship application (naturalization) is 9 months according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

However, the processing time can vary depending on the USCIS office handling your case, and there may sometimes be delays. The process may take longer or shorter than estimated, depending on your location and the efficiency of the USCIS office.

4. Why Does the Processing Time for U.S. Citizenship Applications Seem Random?

With the large volume of U.S. citizenship applications, USCIS distributes them across various field offices nationwide to optimize processing times.

Each field office handles a different number of applications, leading to discrepancies in processing times between locations. USCIS regularly updates the processing times for each office and provides this information publicly.

The USCIS processing time tool displays times as a range between two numbers. For example, the processing time for Form N-400 at the Boston, MA field office is 10 to 14 months.

In some cases, processing times can exceed 20 months. To save time, applicants should ensure they apply when they believe they are eligible for U.S. citizenship.

If you are still unsure about how long it takes to obtain U.S. citizenship, ImmiPath emphasizes that “The total processing time for U.S. citizenship applications ranges from 9 to 12 months, depending on the field office handling the specific case.”

5. What Can You Do to Shorten the Time for U.S. Citizenship?

Once you submit Form N-400, your citizenship application, the entire process typically takes between 9 to 12 months. You can check the status of your application online at any time after you receive a receipt number.

The USCIS website provides processing times for Form N-400 at the field office handling your case. If your case is taking longer than the estimated time provided by the USCIS tool, you can submit an inquiry.

While applying for U.S. citizenship can be complex, working with an experienced immigration specialist can make the process smoother.

If you prefer not to handle the citizenship process on your own, ImmiPath can assist you. You can also comment below the article “How Long to Settle in the U.S. to Obtain Citizenship,” and our team of advisors will help turn your American dream into reality.