We've established that visa wait times grow because there is a statutory limit on the number of green cards the government may issue each year . But there's more. In addition to that, U.S. immigration law says no more than seven percent of all immigrant visas can be given to people of one country in a given year.
How long does it take for an immigrant to become a US citizen?
Currently, it takes about six months to a year to get U.S. citizenship from the time you apply. The process starts when you first get your green card, but there's no accurate way to tell how long each application will take.
Why is it so hard to become a US citizen?
Becoming a U.S. citizen shouldn't be so hard, but it is due to the long processing time, financial and personal costs , and the fact that most immigrants do not have a direct relative that is a citizen of the United States. The requirements of USCIS are also very complex and may not be understandable to outsiders.
Why is my naturalization taking so long?
As of early 2020, the most likely reason for this delay is the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic , which has resulted in the closure of USCIS offices and cancellation of swearing-in ceremonies for the immediate future. ... USCIS or the federal courts are backed up in fitting people into their scheduled ceremonies.
Why is USCIS taking so long to process 2020?
Due to a large backlog of immigration applications , review times at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are delayed for most applications and services. USCIS received a higher volume of applications than normal in 2020 and 2021, and offices remain understaffed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is the fastest way to get US citizenship?
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.
Can citizenship be denied after passing interview?
If you received a notice stating that your N-400 was denied after the interview, this means that the USCIS officer has found you ineligible for naturalization . The USCIS policy manual on naturalization lists nine grounds that the USCIS officer may deny your application.
What's the hardest country to immigrate to?
- Vatican City. Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world. ...
- Liechtenstein. For a foreign-born resident to become a citizen of Liechtenstein, they need to live there for at least 30 years. ...
- Qatar. ...
- United Arab Emirates. ...
- Kuwait. ...
- Switzerland. ...
- Bhutan. ...
- China.
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 if I marry a U.S. citizen?
A marriage green card allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder to live and work anywhere in the United States. A green card holder will then have “permanent resident” status until they apply for U.S. citizenship, if they choose to do so. ... Also, you still require sponsorship from your spouse.
What happens if you fail citizenship test twice?
If you fail either test a second time, your request for naturalization will be denied . If you are denied naturalization, you will receive a written notice in the mail. You will receive instructions on how to proceed if you want to appeal the denial.
What is the 4 year 1 day rule for US 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 .
Does spouse need citizenship interview 2020?
Your spouse will be required to accompany you to the interview .
How do I speed up USCIS processing time?
You can generally request expedited processing by contacting the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY for the deaf, hard of hearing, or those having a speech disability: 1-800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.
How long does it take USCIS to make a decision after interview 2020?
If you did not receive a decision at the end of your interview, you should expect to receive a decision from USCIS within 30 days . We are aware of many cases, however, where USCIS does not meet this deadline.
How many cases does USCIS process per day?
According to documents obtain by The Washington Post, USCIS is creating the “Organization of Professional Responsibility” to enhance oversight of the way its employees handle the more than 26,000 cases the agency decides each day.
