Citizenship in the United States

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 15, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

Once you live in the United States legally, and with a Green Card, for five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen, you can apply for citizenship. Your American citizenship gives you the rights and responsibilities of a U.S. national, including the right to live in the U.S. permanently and hold an American passport. This article explains everything you need to know about becoming a U.S. citizen.

What are the benefits of U.S. citizenship?

The main benefit of American citizenship is the right to live in the U.S. permanently, without the risk of being denied entry because you’ve overstayed on a tourist visa, or because they didn’t award you the tourist visa (which is not that uncommon). U.S. citizens also get the right to hold an American passport, which simplifies international travel and offers help from the U.S. government when you’re abroad. Additionally, U.S. citizens have the right to vote in federal elections, apply for federal jobs, and run for public office, even for governor. Citizens can also sponsor family members to join them in the U.S. and are eligible for federal grants and scholarships.

Do you need a Green Card to become a U.S. citizen?

Yes, you’ll need the Green Card—and live five years from it—to start your request for U.S. citizenship. There are plenty of pathways that don’t require the Green Card, but we’re talking about what the grand majority of jobseekers throughout the world would need to attain to start talking about being U.S. citizens. The Green Card is the same as the Lawful Permanent Residence.

Is it easy to become a U.S. citizen? How long does it take?

The conventional answer is that it’s very difficult to become a U.S. citizen, and that it should take around ten years, half of which will be the five years you need to live with the Green Card. Some applicants have easier paths than others because, for example, the Green Card lottery is open to a little over 40% of the world population. But the odds of winning the lottery are still very low.

You can expect a 10-year journey to reach U.S. citizenship if you start off with an MBA, which sometimes costs around $200,000 (in between tuition fees and living in expensive cities). But the MBA option is just an example. The best path to U.S. citizenship for most workers is to actually get a job that’s flexible enough to sponsor their place of employment. And it’s still a long haul, especially compared to neighbouring Canada or other high-income nations such as the Netherlands.

Does the United States allow dual citizenship?

Yes, the United States allows dual citizenship. This means you can be a U.S. citizen and also hold citizenship in another country. As a dual citizen, you owe allegiance to both the U.S. and the other nation. Also, curiously, you are expected to use your U.S. passport when entering or leaving the United States—a very unusual requirement, but that still takes almost no effort to comply with. Check if the other country allows dual citizenship; some require you to choose one nationality.

What are the ways to get U.S. citizenship?

There are different ways to become a U.S. citizen, either by birth or through naturalisation. If you're born in the United States or its territories, you automatically become a citizen. This is a typical procedure in the Americas and is called jus soli or “right of soil.”

You can also get citizenship at birth if one or both of your parents are U.S. citizens, even if you were born in another country.

For those not born as U.S. citizens, the most common way is naturalisation, which usually means living in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident (LPR), also known as a green card holder, for at least five years. This time can be reduced to three years if you're married to a U.S. citizen. In special cases, like serving in the military, you can become a citizen faster.

When can you apply for U.S. citizenship?

You can apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalisation if you've been a lawful permanent resident with a Green Card for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. You must have continuously resided in the U.S., show good moral character, and pass the English and U.S. civics tests. In addition, you must have spent at least 30 months physically present in the U.S. during the past five years before applying. There are exceptions for those with disabilities and military service.

What documents are required?

To apply for U.S. citizenship, you will need to submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalisation. You must provide proof of permanent residence (e.g., green card), documentation of continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S., tax returns, and two passport photos if you apply from abroad. Additional forms may be required depending on your situation, such as Form N-648 for disability exemptions, or marriage certificates if you’re applying based on a U.S. citizen spouse.

How to apply for U.S. citizenship?

To apply for U.S. citizenship, first make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for naturalisation. Then, complete Form N-400, either online or by mail. If you file online through the USCIS website, you can track your application status. After you submit the form, you must include all required documents and fees. Applicants who live outside the U.S. should also provide passport-style photos.

Next, attend a biometrics appointment, if required, where your fingerprints and photographs will be taken for background checks. Following this, you’ll have a naturalisation interview with a USCIS officer. During the interview, the officer will ask questions about your application, and you will need to take a naturalisation test, which consists of two parts: an English test and a civics test.

The English test assesses your speaking, reading, and writing skills. The civics test evaluates your knowledge of U.S. history and government. You will be asked up to 10 questions and must answer at least six correctly to pass. Some applicants, such as those over 50 with 20 years of permanent residency, may be eligible for language test exemptions. If you fail any portion of the English or civics tests, you will have another chance to retake the failed section within 60 to 90 days.

Once your application is approved, you will be scheduled for a naturalisation ceremony. At the ceremony, you will take the Oath of Allegiance, after which you will officially become a U.S. citizen and receive your Certificate of Naturalisation, which stands as proof of your new citizenship status. If you don't attend more than one naturalisation ceremony, your application may be turned down.

How long is the waiting time for U.S. citizenship?

The waiting time for American citizenship can vary, but recent trends show that processing times have sped up. As of 2024, the median processing time for Form N-400 is around 4.9 months, down from 6.1 months in 2023. After submitting your application, you can typically expect to receive your naturalisation interview notice within 4 to 6 months, with the Oath of Allegiance ceremony occurring about 5 to 7 months after filing.

Some applicants have reported even faster timelines. For example, one individual completed the entire process in just 47 days. While such rapid processing isn't the norm, it shows that the overall time frame can sometimes be shorter than expected. If it takes longer to process your application, USCIS will automatically extend your Green Card for up to 24 months.

Still, remember, this is the very last piece of the citizenship puzzle. Becoming a citizen can easily take up to 10 years.

Can your family members get U.S. citizenship?

Yes, your family members can become U.S. citizens, but there are steps they need to follow. As an American citizen, you can help them become permanent residents, often known as getting a Green Card. To achieve this, you need to file Form I-130 to show your family relationship and prove you can support them financially.

You can help your spouse, children, and, if you’re 21 or older, your parents and siblings. After they become permanent residents, they can apply for U.S. citizenship themselves if they meet the requirements.

What are U.S. citizenship fees?

The fee for applying for U.S. citizenship varies depending on how you file. If you file your application on paper, the fee is $760. For online submissions, the fee is $710.

If your household income is below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and you provide the necessary documentation, you may qualify for a reduced fee of $380. Certain applicants may also be eligible for a fee waiver. If you are applying for a fee waiver or a reduced fee, you must file a paper Form N-400 and submit Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. Payments are non-refundable, even if your application is not approved or if you withdraw your request.

What if your application is rejected?

If your application for U.S. citizenship is rejected, you will get a notice explaining why. If you think the decision was wrong, you can appeal by filing Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalisation Proceedings. You must file this form within 30 days of getting the denial notice. It’s important to address the reasons given for the not-go and provide any additional information required. You may also seek legal advice to help address any issues with your application. If you don't file Form N-336 within 30 days, the denial stands.

The number of times you can apply for naturalisation is unlimited, but you must pay the filing fee for each Form N-400 you submit.

Talk to an immigration expert

The first step to becoming a U.S. citizen is to establish legal residency in the United States. A practical way to achieve this is to find a job with an employer who can sponsor your Green Card.

At Relocate.me, we can connect you with immigration experts who can offer advice on moving to the United States, what’s the best path considering your options, or who can help you obtain citizenship. Reach out today and begin your path to U.S. citizenship.

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