You will know how to become a U.S. citizen, as well as the conditions, costs, and benefits of becoming an American citizen if you read the following article by ImmiPath. Take a look right now!
Many permanent residents living legally in the United States, once qualified, will find a way to naturalize there, enjoy all the same rights as natives, and have in their hands one of the most powerful passports in the world, with a travel capacity of 186 nations. They do not need a visa and can sponsor family and relatives to reunite in the US.
However, not everyone understands all the conditions for naturalization in the US, the costs, and the steps to take the citizenship test.
In this article, ImmiPath will help you answer these questions. See it now!
1. What conditions must be met to obtain US citizenship?
U.S. naturalization is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen for immigrants and people born outside the United States. There are many ways to help you become an American citizen such as through the military, marriage, or being sponsored by a relative.
To obtain U.S. citizenship, you need to meet the following requirements:
To become a naturalized citizen, you must be a green card holder and a legal permanent resident in the US for at least 5 years to qualify for this route.
In addition, there are other conditions that you will need to meet when applying for U.S. citizenship. It includes these requirements below:
- Be 18 years old or older
- Prove that you have continuously resided in the US for at least two and a half years during the five-year qualifying period
- Can read, write, and speak English
- Prove that you are a person of good moral character
- Demonstrate knowledge of US history and government
- Demonstrate allegiance to the principles of the United States Constitution
- Read the U.S. citizenship oath
When submitting your application, you will need to provide some supporting documents to demonstrate that you can meet the above requirements. When you naturalize, you need to attend an interview.
2. Who can take the US citizenship test?
Eligibility for U.S. citizenship depends on several factors:
- How long have you had your green card?
- How many years have you lived in the United States?
- Have you ever served in the United States military (and if so, whether your service was in “peacetime” or “wartime”)
ImmiPath summarizes for you the most common groups of individuals eligible for US citizenship and when to apply:
- If you are a green card holder without special circumstances, you can apply for U.S. citizenship at least 5 years after receiving your green card. You must also have lived in the United States for at least 30 months (two and a half years) out of those five years.
- If you have been married to a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years and lived with your spouse for that entire period, you can apply to become a U.S. citizen at least 3 years after receiving your green card. You must also have lived in the United States for at least 18 months (one and a half years) during those three years, and your spouse must have been a US citizen for at least 3 years.
- If you are the widow of a U.S. citizen who died while serving honorably in the U.S. military (and you were living with them at the time of their death), you can apply for U.S. citizenship at any time as long as you are a green card holder at the time of your naturalization interview. You do not need to have had a green card for a certain number of years or to have lived in the US for any number of months before applying.
- If you served in the U.S. military for at least 1 year during peacetime, you may apply while on active duty or within 6 months of honorably leaving the military. You do not need to have had a green card for a certain number of years or to have lived in the United States for any number of months before applying for citizenship.
- If you have served in the U.S. military for less than 1 year during peacetime, you can apply for U.S. citizenship 5 years after receiving your green card (honorable service for 5 years may also be counted toward that required time). You must also have lived in the United States for at least 30 months (or two and a half years) of those 5 years.
- If you have served in the U.S. military for at least 1 year in peacetime and apply after 6 months of honorable separation from the military, you can apply to become a U.S. citizen 5 years after receiving your card. green (honorary service for 5 years may also be counted towards that required time). You must also have lived in the United States for at least 30 months (two and a half years) out of those five years.
- If you served in the U.S. military for any period during wartime, you can apply at any time and do not need to be a green card holder.
2. How to become a U.S. citizen?
To apply for U.S. citizenship, you need to go through the following steps:
2.1 Step 1: Apply for naturalization
The first step to becoming a U.S. citizen is to file an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) and pay the application fee. You can fill out and submit a paper application or complete the application online. If you apply online, you must first create an online account with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
If you are applying based on military service, from a foreign country, or for a reduced or waived fee, you must not complete the application online. You must submit your application to the appropriate USCIS office.
90-Day Early Filing Rule: You can submit your N-400 to USCIS as early as 90 days before reaching your 3- or 5-year waiting period as a green card holder as long as you have met all other eligibility requirements. However, you still have to wait 3 or 5 years to become a US citizen.
2.2 Step 2: Make an appointment for biometrics
The next step is to set up a biometric, fingerprint appointment at your local USCIS office. Just like the family-based green card process, USCIS will take your fingerprints during the naturalization process to conduct a background check.
The fingerprint appointment usually takes place about a month after USCIS receives your application for U.S. citizenship.
2.3 Step 3: Interview and Citizenship test
Interview
The U.S. citizenship interview is usually scheduled approximately 14 months after applying. However, exactly how long it will take to process your naturalization application depends heavily on the USCIS office handling your case, which is assigned to you based on your ZIP code.
During this interview, a USCIS officer will verify that all of the information in your naturalization application is accurate.
The interview usually takes place at the nearest USCIS office. If you are applying from abroad, you will attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate. If you are serving in the military, your interview may be held at a military facility.
Test
Many permanent residents in the US who ask ImmiPath for advice on how to become US citizens always wonder, “Is there a US citizenship test?”. In fact, whether the US citizenship test is difficult or easy depends on each person’s age and English level.
To take the U.S. citizenship test, the USCIS officer will give you a two-part naturalization test (unless you qualify for an exemption): The first part, the English test, will carefully evaluate your English speaking and writing skills. The second, the civics test, will assess your knowledge of U.S. history and basic information about how the U.S. government works.
If you pass the interview and exam, the USCIS officer will approve your application at the end of the interview. In some cases, USCIS may ask you to provide additional documents or schedule a second interview.
If you do not pass, USCIS will send you a denial letter explaining the reason, but you can appeal the decision within 30 days of receiving the letter or reapplying.
2.4 Step 4: Declare Your Oath
After your application is approved, you will attend the U.S. citizenship oath ceremony. It is very important that you complete this step. You are not a US citizen until you have taken the oath.
You will be asked to return your green card when you register. Once the ceremony is over, you will receive your certificate of naturalization and begin your life as a U.S. citizen.
3. How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen?
The US government’s current application fee for naturalization applications is $725, which includes $640 for processing and $85 for biometric services.
Military applicants are exempt from both the application fee and the biometric fee. Applicants from 75 years old or older are exempt from the biometric fee.
3.1 Benefits of U.S. citizenship
Once you officially receive your certificate of naturalization, you will have access to some benefits that were not available to you before as a permanent resident. Specifically:
3.2 Voting Rights
As a green card holder, you can vote in certain local municipalities, but with a Certificate of Citizenship, you can make an impact on the country by voting in federal elections.
3.3 Eligible to Run for Election
To be eligible to run for office in U.S. elections, you must be a citizen, meaning that with your Certificate of Naturalization, you can run for office.
3.4 No longer Immigrants
In the future, you will not need to go through the rigorous application process with USCIS. That means no more application fees, no more green card renewals or replacements, and no more having to register with the US government whenever you decide you want to move.
3.5 New Job Opportunities
Under U.S. law, only U.S. citizens can be employed by the U.S. government. Although income levels vary, federal employees typically get paid more and have more benefits than their private sector counterparts.
3.6 Greater Access to Government Support Programs
As a green card holder, you have limited access to federal programs like Social Security and Medicare. But with a U.S. naturalization certificate, you will no longer face these restrictions.
In some cases, you can even apply for federal University aid, which is available exclusively to U.S. citizens.
3.7 No more Evictions
If you become a U.S. citizen, you will no longer worry about being deported. However when you commit a serious crime or are arrested.
3.8 The Right to Sponsor Relatives
With a Certificate of Naturalization, you can sponsor any sibling, parent, or adult child who wants to apply for legal permanent residence in the United States.
3.9 Automatic Citizenship for Children
Once you become a U.S. citizen, your children automatically have citizenship, even if they were born abroad. If your child was born outside the United States, be sure to notify the U.S. Embassy or consulate.
3.10 Power of U.S. Passport
When you know how to become an American citizen, you will own an American passport, allowing you to travel to 186 countries without a visa. If while abroad you have an emergency, you will be able to contact your local U.S. consulate or embassy.
You will also be almost completely free to travel around the world because the U.S. government places no limits on the length or frequency of trips abroad. (Note: you should check the specific visa requirements for any country before making travel arrangements)
4. Some Frequently Asked Questions about How to Become a U.S. citizen
4.1 What is a naturalized U.S. citizen?
A naturalized U.S. citizen is a person born outside the U.S. and has U.S. citizenship. Only immigrants who have been legal permanent residents for 3-5 years or meet certain military service requirements are eligible.
4.2 What do the terms “peacetime” and “wartime” mean?
“Peacetime” refers to any time. “Wartime” specifically refers to the following periods:
- World War I (April 6, 1917–November 11, 1918)
- World War II (September 1, 1939 – December 31, 1946)
- Korean War (June 25, 1950 – July 1, 1955)
- Vietnam War (February 28, 1961–October 15, 1978)
- Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – April 11, 1991)
- War on Terror (September 11, 2001 – present)
4.3 Can I have dual citizenship?
Dual citizenship comes with many benefits in that you will be granted citizenship in two countries. The U.S. government allows its citizens to have dual citizenship. This means you do not have to give up your original citizenship to become a US citizen.
However, you may be able to obtain citizenship from many countries. However, both countries must legally allow it.
It’s also worth noting that as a dual citizen, you are still required to pay U.S. taxes no matter which country you live in, and you must pay income taxes even on income earned outside the U.S. This means you may have to pay taxes on the same income for both the U.S and your other nationality.
4.4 How to get a green card to qualify for U.S. citizenship?
Getting a green card is an important step in the journey toward U.S. citizenship for foreign nationals. A green card, also known as a permanent resident card, is an identification document that proves that you are a permanent resident of the United States.
There are many different ways to get a green card including:
- Green card through family
- Green card through employment
- Green card as a special immigrant
- Green card through refugee status
- Green cards for victims of human trafficking and criminals
- Green cards for victims of abuse
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the pathway through which you are applying for your green card, but you can learn more about them on the USCIS website or ask ImmiPath for assistance. To apply for a green card, you will need to fill out form I-485, application for permanent residence.
4.5 So How to Successfully get U.S. Citizenship?
Although there are many ways to become a U.S. citizen, the process is always complicated. When you apply for U.S. citizenship, you will need to prove that you can meet many strict requirements. If you do not meet or lack the required requirements, your US citizenship application will be rejected.
This is why we recommend that you seek the help of an experienced immigration firm that can help guide you before applying for U.S. citizenship.
At ImmiPath, we own a team of experienced consultants, with both offices in the U.S and Vietnam, and are proud to be a unit specializing in consulting on U.S. immigration, supporting the processing of spousal sponsorship applications, relatives, settled in the US under EB3 – EB5, advises on how to prepare evidence, guides interviews with the consulate, and supports permanent residents with legal green cards to successfully apply for US citizenship.
If you want to become a U.S. citizen but are not sure about your options or have any questions about how to become a U.S. citizen, you can comment directly below the article. ImmiPath’s team of experienced consultants is happy to explain in more detail the paths to becoming a U.S. citizen so you can decide which will be the best choice, helping you fulfill your American dream to the fullest.
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