What Are The Requirements To Become A Citizen Of The United States?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Be at least 18 years of age at the time you file the application;
  • Have been a lawful permanent resident for the past three or five years (depending on which category you are applying under);
  • Have continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;

What are the 4 ways to become a U.S. citizen?

In all, there are four fundamental ways to become a U.S. citizen:

by birth in the U.S., citizenship through derivation, citizenship through acquisition, and citizenship through naturalization

. Most immigrants in the United States become citizens through the naturalization process.

What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?

  • Age. …
  • Residency. …
  • Residence and Physical Presence. …
  • Good Moral Character. …
  • Attachment to the Constitution. …
  • Language. …
  • U.S. Government and History Knowledge. …
  • Oath of Allegiance.

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen 2020?

The average processing time for citizenship (naturalization) applications

is 8 months

as of May 31, 2020. However, that's just how long it takes USCIS to process Form N-400. The entire naturalization process has several steps and takes an average of 15 months.

Is it hard to become a U.S. citizen?

The chances to become a United States citizen depend mainly on how tricky it is for you to first become a

permanent resident

and get a green card. If you're extremely educated and can find work, you can expect to get citizenship in just over 5 years after becoming a green card owner.

How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen in 2021?

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.

What is the fastest way to become a U.S. citizen?

The fastest way to get a US green card is

through sponsorship from an immediate relative

. Unlike other permanent resident visa categories, the IR visa is not subject to quotas or lengthy waiting periods. You are eligible for this visa if you are a spouse, child under 21, or parent of a current US citizen.

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen in 2021?

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen? The national average processing time for naturalization (citizenship) applications is

14.5 months

, as of June, 2021.

How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen?

Currently it costs

$725

to become a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process (for most applicants). However, some individuals may qualify for a fee waiver. When filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, you must pay two separate fees: an application fee and a biometric services fee.

How long is a citizenship interview?

A typical citizenship interview lasts

about 20 minutes

, but the exact timeframe varies by applicant.

Can you be denied citizenship?

Even though the N-400 naturalization form is one of the least complicated aspects of , a

sizeable 10% of applicants

find that they've been denied citizenship each year. If you've received a citizenship application denial or a delay, it can be easy to panic.

What is the hardest country to get citizenship?


Austria, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States

are five nations that make it especially difficult for foreigners to establish permanent residency or obtain citizenship.

How hard is it to get a US green card?

As of May 2020,

completing the green card process is impossible for most people

, regardless of whether they are living in the U.S. or coming from overseas, owing to U.S. government office closures to in-person visits.

How can I get citizenship for free?

The application for U.S. citizenship, known as Form N-400, is among the immigration forms for which an applicant can request a fee waiver. The fee waiver application consists of Form I-912, which you will need to submit to USCIS together with your application and documents supporting your need for the waiver.

Can I buy U.S. citizenship?

This article was published more than 2 years ago. The EB-5 investor visa offers permanent U.S. residency and eventually citizenship when a person invests between US$500,000 and US$1-million in a new commercial enterprise that produces at least 10 full-time jobs. …

How much does a green card cost 2021?

Until the change goes through, the fees were (as of early 2021):

$535 for an I-130

; $435 for an I-360 (with exemptions for VAWA and many other applicants); $535 for an I-129F; and $700 for an I-140.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.