When you have a U.S. spouse, you can apply for U.S. citizenship in
three years
instead of the normal five years. This shorter timeline can be incredibly helpful but also requires careful planning to get all the necessary documents and fill out the necessary forms.
Does marriage automatically give citizenship?
Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not guarantee a green card or U.S. citizenship
. Applications for U.S. green cards through marriage are scrutinized carefully, because the government takes fraudulent marriage very seriously.
How do I become a U.S. citizen after 3 years of marriage?
3 Years of Continuous Residence. The spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States
must have continuously resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance
.
How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen in 2021?
The national average processing time for naturalization (citizenship) applications is
14.5 months
, as of June, 2021. But that's just the application processing wait time (see “Understanding USCIS Processing Times” below).
How long does it take to bring spouse to USA 2021?
Average time –
Seven to 32 months
to get a Form I-130 petition (Petition for Alien Relative) approved by USCIS as of early 2021; another six to ten months or longer to get an immigrant visa to come to the United States.
Can I apply for citizenship after 2 years of marriage?
All green card holders, as long as they meet key conditions, can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (known as the “five-year rule”) — but
those with a U.S. spouse and a green card through marriage can apply after only three years
(known as the “three-year rule”).
How long after citizenship can you divorce?
Most people have to wait for
five years
. For the entire three-year period, you must: Live with your spouse the entire time. Not have your spouse's citizenship status change.
How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen in 2021?
How Much Will It Cost To Become A U.S. Citizen? As of February 2021,
the total application fee for naturalization is $725
. This fee consists of the processing fee of $640 and the biometrics fee of $85. The USCIS does not refund these filing fees regardless of the outcome of the naturalization application.
Can I apply for citizenship after 4 years?
An applicant applying for naturalization under INA 316, which requires 5 years of continuous residence,
must then wait at least 4 years and 1 day after returning to the United States
(whenever 364 days or less of the absence remains within the statutory period), to have the requisite continuous residence to apply for …
What is the 4 year 1 day rule for U.S. citizenship?
The 4 year 1 day rule mostly works as follows. Once you've broken continuous residency, a new period will begin to run on the first day you return to the U.S. Form the day you must stay in the U.S. for a minimum of 4 years and 1 day before you can apply for naturalization again.
How long does it take to get a green card through marriage 2020?
If your spouse is a green card holder and you currently live in the United States, then you will wait about
29-38 months
to receive your green card. If your spouse is a green card holder and you currently live outside the United States, then you will wait about 23-32 months to receive your green card.
What is the fastest way to get U.S. citizenship?
- Hold a green card for three years;
- Be married to and living with your US citizen spouse for three years;
- Live within the state that you're applying in for three months; and.
- Meet all other requirements for US citizenship.
Can I apply for citizenship before 3 years of marriage?
In addition to living with your U.S. citizen spouse for at least 3 years before filing N-400, Application for Naturalization,
your spouse must also have been a U.S. citizen for the entire 3-year period
. You must continue to be married for the remainder of the process – through the final Oath of Allegiance Ceremony.
What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?
Be able to read, write, and speak basic English; Demonstrate good moral character; Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government; Demonstrate a loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and.
Which is faster fiance visa or spouse?
Speed of Marriage
If your priority is to become married as soon as possible,
it will generally be quicker to marry outside the United States
. Obtaining a K-1 visa, typically the fastest way to the U.S., will take approximately 5-10 months. So visiting the fiancé in his or her home country will usually be faster.
What are the benefits of marrying a U.S. citizen?
- No Annual Limit on Visas. …
- Long Wait for Government Processing of Applications. …
- Possibility to Adjust Status After Legal U.S. Entry. …
- First Two Years of Residence Are Likely to Be Conditional.
What happens when a U.S. citizen marries a non U.S. citizen?
Marrying a foreigner for money is illegal, and
those participating in immigration fraud can face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both
, according to the U.S. Code § 1325: Improper Entry by Alien.
How much does it cost to get citizenship through marriage?
Cost Of Applying For A Marriage Based Green Card In The U.S. As of February 2021, the cost of applying for a marriage-based green card in the United States is
$1760
.
How much does it cost in total to apply for citizenship?
The current naturalization fee for a U.S. citizenship application is $725. That total includes
$640 for application processing and $85 for biometrics services
, both of which are nonrefundable, regardless of whether the U.S. government approves or rejects an application.
Can I apply for citizenship 3 months before 3 years?
Filing Early
The 90-day early-filing rule:
You may file your naturalization application with USCIS as early as 90 days before the end of your three- or five-year wait period as a green card holder
— as long as you've met all other eligibility criteria.
What are 3 ways to lose citizenship?
So, in what three ways can American citizenship be lost? Well, first is through
wrongfully gaining their American citizenship
. The second is through a voluntary act, and the third is through denaturalization.
Do you lose your green card if you get divorced?
The vast majority of green card holders are mostly unaffected by a divorce
. If you are already a lawful permanent resident with a 10-year green card, renewing a green card after divorce is uneventful. You file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to renew or replace the green card.
Can I lose my U.S. citizenship if I divorce?
Divorce Makes Applicants Ineligible to Apply for Citizenship in Three Rather Than Five Years
. If you were hoping to get early citizenship after three years as the spouse of a U.S. citizen, understand that divorce will end that possibility.
Can I buy a U.S. citizenship?
Investors can obtain US citizenship
, however, it is better to use a US passport when traveling abroad to maintain status. If a person wants to get another citizenship after the American one, he will lose his US passport. Details about the difference between second and dual citizenship.
Do I need a lawyer to become a U.S. citizen?
Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? No. You can file USCIS forms yourself, including Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, which can be submitted online. However,
some people choose to seek assistance from a lawyer or Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)-accredited representative
.
Can I get my citizenship for free?
USCIS charges a filing fee of $725 to apply for citizenship. However,
if you have very low income, you may qualify to apply for citizenship for free
, or at a discounted rate of $405.
