Citizenship Requirements

Some people derive citizenship from their parents,grandparents, or obtain it upon birth in the United States. Others must follow a path to naturalization, which includes going through permanent residency. The requirements to become a U.S. Citizen depend on how one became a Permanent Resident as the path is different for someone who is the spouse of a U.S. Citizen

Citizenship Requirements for Permanent Residents who are not married to a U.S. Citizen

• Age 18 or older
• Be a green card holder (permanent resident) for at 5 or more years immediately preceding the time of filing the Citizenship application.
• Live within the state, or USCIS district that has jurisdiction, for at least 3 months prior to filing the petition.
• Continuously reside in the U. S. as a permanent for 5 or more years immediately preceding the time of filing the Citizenship petition.
• Physically present in the U.S. for 30 or more months out of the last 60 months before filing the petition with no breaks of 6 months or longer (in some instances a break of 6 to 12 months will be excused).
• Read, write, and speak English (unless eligible for a waiver).
• Knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government (civics). There is a 100 question database that applicants for citizenship are expected to know.
• Have been and still are a “person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.”

Citizenship Requirements for Spouses of a U.S. Citizen

The requirements are essentially the same except spouses of U.S. Citizens can apply for citizenship after being a Permanent Resident for only 3 years. Therefore 2 requirements are different. To qualify under this 3 year rule the permanent resident must reside in the same household as the U.S. Citizen spouse.

• Continuously reside in the U. S. as a permanent for 3 or more years (instead of 5) immediately preceding the time of filing the Citizenship petition.
• Physically present in the U.S. for 18 or more months out of the last 36 months before filing the petition (instead of 30 out of 60 months).

What are the advantages of becoming a United States Citizen? Here are our top 10 Reasons to Become a Citizen. You can read about a popular program the EB-5 Investor Green Card, too.