Jonah Patel
Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen of a country other than your own. In the United States, there are several requirements for citizenship through naturalization. One of the most important requirements is that you must have physically lived in the United States for at least half of five years (or three years if you're married to a U.S. citizen). This means that you must have lived in the U.S. continuously for the five years immediately preceding the date you file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. You must also be at least 18 years old when you submit the form, demonstrate good moral character, and pass an English and civics test.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time as a lawful permanent resident | 5 years |
| Physical presence in the United States | At least 30 months out of the 5 years |
| Age | 18 or older |
| Continuous residence in the same state or USCIS district | At least 3 months |
| Good moral character | Demonstrated over at least 5 years |
| English language proficiency | Basic level |
| Knowledge of U.S. history and government | Basic level |
| Spouse of a U.S. citizen | Wait time reduced to 3 years |
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What You'll Learn
- Naturalization is the process of becoming a US citizen
- Permanent residents must live in the US for five years
- You must be physically present in the US for 30 of the 60 months before filing
- Applicants must be 18 or over and pass English and civics tests
- Demonstrate 'good moral character' and attachment to the US Constitution
Naturalization is the process of becoming a US citizen
Naturalization is the process by which a non-US citizen can voluntarily become a citizen. There are several eligibility requirements that must be met to qualify for naturalization. These include:
- Being a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least five years.
- Being at least 18 years old when submitting Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
- Demonstrating continuous residence in the United States for at least five years immediately before filing Form N-400.
- Being physically present in the United States for at least 30 of the 60 months immediately before filing Form N-400.
- Living in the state or USCIS district with jurisdiction over your place of residence for at least three months.
- Being a person of good moral character for at least five years.
Additionally, certain applicants may be exempt from the English test for naturalization and may instead take the civics test in the language of their choice due to their age and time as an LPR.
Once an applicant has determined their eligibility and gathered the necessary documents, they can submit Form N-400 and pay the associated fees. Following this, a biometrics appointment may be scheduled, and an interview will be conducted to complete the naturalization process. USCIS will then mail a notice of decision regarding the applicant's Form N-400. If approved, the applicant can take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony and officially become a US citizen.
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Permanent residents must live in the US for five years
To be eligible for naturalization, permanent residents must meet several requirements. Firstly, they must be at least 18 years old when they submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. They must also demonstrate that they have been lawfully admitted as permanent residents of the United States for at least five years, with continuous residence in the country for at least five years immediately before the date they file Form N-400. This includes being physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of those five years.
In addition, applicants must show that they have lived for at least three months in a state or USCIS district with jurisdiction over their place of residence. This can be the state where they go to school or where their family lives if they are financially dependent on their parents.
It is important to note that an LPR's lengthy or frequent absences from the US can result in a denial of naturalization due to abandonment of permanent residence. For example, if an LPR expects to be absent from the US for more than a year, they should apply for a re-entry permit, which is typically valid for up to two years.
Certain applicants, because of their age and time as an LPR, are exempt from taking the English test for naturalization and may instead take the civics test in the language of their choice.
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You must be physically present in the US for 30 of the 60 months before filing
To be eligible for US citizenship, an applicant must meet certain eligibility requirements. One of the requirements for naturalization is that the applicant must have been physically present in the United States for at least half of the time for which continuous residence is required.
For an applicant to be eligible for naturalization based on being a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least five years, they must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least five years immediately before filing Form N-400. This means that the applicant must have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 of the 60 months (or 913 days) before filing.
The concept of continuous residence involves the applicant maintaining a permanent dwelling place in the United States over the required period of time. The residence in question is the same as the applicant's domicile or principal actual dwelling place, without regard to their intent. The duration of an applicant's residence in a particular location is measured from the moment they first establish residence there.
It is important to note that an applicant's physical presence and continuous residence are interrelated but separate requirements that must each be satisfied for naturalization. For example, an applicant who has been readmitted as an LPR after a deferred inspection or by an immigration judge in removal proceedings can satisfy the residence and physical presence requirements in the same way as any other applicant for naturalization.
Additionally, an applicant must have been physically present in the United States as an LPR for an uninterrupted period of at least one year prior to working abroad. They may file the application before or after their employment begins, but it must be before they have been abroad for a continuous period of one year.
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Applicants must be 18 or over and pass English and civics tests
To be eligible for U.S. citizenship, applicants must meet several requirements. Firstly, individuals must be at least 18 years old when they submit their Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. This age requirement is typically consistent across different paths to citizenship.
Secondly, applicants must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for a certain period. For most applicants, this means showing physical presence in the country for at least half of the five years immediately before filing Form N-400. This includes being physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of those five years. Additionally, applicants must have lived in the state or USCIS district of their residence for at least three months before filing the application.
It is important to note that absences from the United States can impact the continuous residence requirement. Trips outside the country should be less than six months to avoid disrupting the continuity of residence. During any trip abroad, individuals should maintain ties to the U.S. by continuing to file taxes, maintain a residence, and intend to return.
To become a U.S. citizen, individuals must also pass English and civics tests as part of the naturalization process. However, certain applicants may be exempt from these tests due to their age or disability qualifications. For example, some individuals may be allowed to take the civics test in the language of their choice.
In addition to the residency and testing requirements, applicants must demonstrate good moral character for the required period before applying for naturalization. This period is typically five years but can be reduced to three years if the applicant is married to a U.S. citizen. Demonstrating an "attachment" to the U.S. is an essential aspect of becoming a citizen.
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Demonstrate 'good moral character' and attachment to the US Constitution
To become a US citizen through naturalization, an applicant must meet certain eligibility requirements. One of the requirements is to demonstrate good moral character and attachment to the US Constitution.
Good moral character means that the applicant has respected the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others. They must also be willing to perform civil and military service when required by law. The applicant must also be willing to bear arms on behalf of the United States.
Attachment to the US Constitution includes an understanding and a mental attitude, including a willingness to be attached to the principles of the Constitution. The applicant must support and defend the Constitution, respect federal, state, and local laws, and participate in the democratic process. They must also be willing to obey the laws that result from the democratic, representational process established by the US Constitution.
An applicant who is hostile to the basic form of government of the United States or who does not believe in the principles of the Constitution is not eligible for naturalization. Membership in certain organizations may indicate a lack of attachment to the Constitution and may render the applicant removable. Information concerning an applicant's membership in a terrorist organization is important in determining the applicant's eligibility in terms of the good moral character and attachment requirements.
To demonstrate good moral character and attachment to the US Constitution, an applicant must be willing to perform the duties and responsibilities of a US citizen, including serving on a jury when called upon, paying taxes honestly and on time, and defending the country if necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
You must be a lawful permanent resident for at least five years to be eligible for naturalization. During this time, you must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States and not be absent from the country for more than six months at a time.
You must be at least 18 years old, show that you are a person of good moral character, and pass an English and civics test. You must also have lived in the state or USCIS district where you plan to file your application for at least three months.
Yes, if you are married to a US citizen, you only need to be a lawful permanent resident for three years to be eligible for naturalization.
You need to submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The amount of time it takes to become a naturalized US citizen can depend on your location. You may also need to take an English and civics test, depending on your age and time as an LPR.
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