One of the questions that frequently come up for permanent residents in the United States is, “How long do I have to wait to become a citizen?” The answer is not always straightforward since there are different rules depending on your individual circumstances. However, as a general rule, you must be a permanent resident for at least five years to be eligible for citizenship. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into the eligibility requirements and how to apply for citizenship after obtaining permanent residency.
Eligibility Requirements for Citizenship
To become a U.S. citizen, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old at the time of filing for naturalization.
- You must have been a permanent resident for at least five years or three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.
- You must have remained physically present in the United States for at least two and a half years out of the last five years before filing for naturalization.
- You must be able to read, write, and speak basic English.
- You must have basic knowledge of U.S. history and government.
- You must be a person of good moral character.
- You must be willing to support and defend the United States and its Constitution.
These are the basic requirements for citizenship. There are additional factors that could impact your eligibility, such as criminal history, prior immigration violations, and unpaid taxes, among others.
Applying for Citizenship
Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you can begin the application process for citizenship. The following is a summary of the steps you need to take:
- Complete Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
- Submit your application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Provide USCIS with any required supporting documents, such as your Permanent Resident Card or birth certificate.
- Attend an interview with a USCIS officer.
- Pass the U.S. Naturalization Test, which includes questions about U.S. history and government.
- Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in a naturalization ceremony.
It’s worth noting that the citizenship application process can take several months or even years, depending on the backlog of applications at USCIS. You may also be required to attend additional interviews or provide additional evidence to support your application.
Conclusion
In summary, becoming a U.S. citizen is a significant personal and legal milestone for permanent residents. To be eligible, you must have been a permanent resident for at least five years and meet other eligibility requirements, such as being able to speak English and having basic knowledge of U.S. history and government. If you are considering applying for citizenship, it’s important to gather all the required documentation and prepare for the USCIS interview and naturalization test. With careful planning and preparation, you can successfully achieve your goal of U.S. citizenship.
FAQ
How long does it take to get U.S. citizenship after PR?
Becoming a U.S. citizen is a process that takes time, effort, and patience. If you are a permanent resident in the U.S., you may be wondering about the timeline for obtaining citizenship. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the processing time for naturalization (citizenship) averages 8-14 months. However, there are several steps that you must complete before becoming a citizen, and these can vary based on individual circumstances.
To begin the process of becoming a citizen, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. These requirements include being at least 18 years old, being a lawful permanent resident, having a continuous residence in the United States for at least five years (or three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen), being physically present in the U.S. for at least half of the required residency period, and being a person of good moral character.
Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you must prepare and file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with USCIS. This application requires that you provide extensive personal and background information about yourself, as well as submit evidence of your eligibility and pay the application fee.
After USCIS receives your application, they will schedule you for a biometric (fingerprint) appointment and request additional information if necessary. Following the biometric appointment, you will be scheduled for an interview with a USCIS officer who will ask you questions about your application and background. You will also need to pass a civics and English test, unless you are exempt due to age or disability.
If everything goes smoothly and your application is approved, you will then attend an oath ceremony where you will take the Oath of Allegiance and become a U.S. citizen.
The timeline for obtaining U.S. citizenship after permanent residency can vary based on individual circumstances. However, the processing time for naturalization generally takes between 8-14 months, and there are several steps that you must complete before becoming a citizen. It’s important to be patient and thorough throughout the process to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
How can I get citizenship faster after green card?
After obtaining your green card, you may be wondering how you could become a US citizen faster. There are a few ways in which you could potentially speed up the path to citizenship, although the process will still require some patience.
One of the ways in which you could accelerate the process is by taking advantage of the 90-day early-filing rule for naturalization. This rule allows you to submit your N-400 application up to 90 days before you reach the three or five-year mark as a green card holder, as long as you have met all other eligibility requirements. However, it is important to note that you will still need to wait the full three or five years before becoming a US citizen, regardless of whether you filed your application early.
Another way to possibly expedite the citizenship process is by participating in expedited naturalization. This process is usually reserved for individuals in certain professions, such as active-duty military members or individuals who hold critical national security positions. In some cases, other individuals may also be eligible for expedited naturalization if they can demonstrate that there are compelling circumstances that require a quicker processing time.
It is also worth noting that you will need to meet certain residency and physical presence requirements in order to apply for US citizenship. As a green card holder, you must have lived in the US for at least half of the five-year period (or three years if married to a US citizen) immediately preceding your application. Additionally, you must have been physically present in the US for at least half of that time.
The path to citizenship offers no shortcuts, and it is important to ensure that you have met all eligibility requirements and have completed the necessary steps to become a fully-fledged US citizen. Enlisting the help of an immigration attorney or other qualified professional can also help you navigate the process and provide guidance on any potential issues or obstacles.
Can I apply for citizenship with an expired 2 years green card?
When it comes to applying for U.S. citizenship, an expired green card should not prevent you from filing your application. However, it is important to understand the circumstances surrounding your green card before starting the application process.
If you have a 2-year green card, also known as a conditional green card, it means that your eligibility for permanent residency is based on your marital status to a U.S. citizen. In this case, your green card is only valid for two years and you will need to apply for unconditional permanent residency status within 90 days before your green card expires. This is done by filing Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.
If you failed to file Form I-751 on time, your green card may have expired, putting you in an immigration status limbo. However, you may still be eligible for naturalization, which is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.
To qualify for naturalization, you need to have had a valid green card for at least 5 years if you are a lawful permanent resident, or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen and obtained your green card based on that marriage. In addition, you must be at least 18 years old, be able to read, write, and speak basic English, and pass a civics exam on U.S. history and government.
It is important to note that if your green card has been expired for more than six months, you may need to explain why you allowed it to expire and provide evidence of your continuous residency in the United States during that time. Also, if you have had any legal issues or criminal convictions during your residency in the U.S., it may affect your eligibility for naturalization.
While an expired green card may complicate the process of applying for U.S. citizenship, it should not completely prevent you from pursuing naturalization. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements and can demonstrate that you have been a lawful permanent resident in good standing, you may still be able to obtain citizenship.
Do you lose your green card after naturalization?
Once a person becomes a naturalized United States citizen, they will no longer need to hold a green card as it serves as evidence of their lawful permanent resident status. Instead, they will receive a Certificate of Naturalization, which is a proof of their citizenship. Naturalization is a process by which a foreign national living in the US can become a citizen, and gain all the rights and responsibilities that US citizenship entails, including the right to vote and hold public office, the right to apply for government jobs and security clearance, the right to obtain a US passport, and the ability to petition for green cards for their family members.
After a person takes the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony, they will be given their Certificate of Naturalization, which will replace their green card. Also, when naturalizing, you are required to turn in your Permanent Resident Card or “Green Card” to USCIS, which serves as evidence of your permanent resident status. This is to ensure that the Green Card cannot be used by any identity thieves or individuals who may attempt to use it to access US benefits or travel under the credentials it carries.
However, it is important to note that certain individuals may still need to keep their green card, even if they have become naturalized citizens. For example, if the person has a green card with conditions, such as a conditional green card based on marriage or investment, they will be required to maintain their green card until the conditions are removed. Also, a person who plans to travel frequently between the US and their home country may choose to continue carrying their green card as an additional form of identification, even after naturalization.
Becoming a naturalized US citizen means that a person will no longer need to hold a green card as it serves as evidence of their permanent resident status. Instead, they will be given a Certificate of Naturalization, which confirms their status as a citizen of the United States. However, certain individuals such as those with conditional green cards or those who frequently travel may choose to keep their green card even after becoming naturalized citizens.
