Land of the Free: How to Become a United States Citizen
More than a million immigrants immigrate to the US each year in search of a better life. Understandably, the United States is a rich and diverse country bursting with opportunity. Plus, the amicable citizenry and friendly environment make any immigrant feel right at home.
However, free the United States is, it has a very strict immigration policy. If getting a tourist visa is sometimes very stressful, you can imagine how getting permanent citizenship could be. If you’re wondering how to become a United States Citizen, then read on as we take you through the steps to becoming one.
Citizenship by Naturalization
Naturalization is the process through which a United States immigrant can become a permanent US citizen. So the only way you can become a US citizen as an immigrant is through naturalization.
Citizenship by naturalization has strict requirements, and you can only become a citizen if you’re a green card holder or are in or have served in the military. Green card holders are immigrants who have permission from the US government to work and live permanently in the United States.
Your eligibility for US citizenship by naturalization depends on a couple of factors, which are:
- If you currently hold a green card
- How long you’ve had your green card
- Whether you served in the military
Green Card Holders
If you have authority by the United States government to work and live permanently in the United States, then you qualify for citizenship by naturalization. You can group green card holders into two categories which are, ordinary green card holders and green card holders with special circumstances.
The former are ordinary immigrants with the authorization to live and work in the United States. The latter are individuals who got their green cards from special circumstances. They form a very small group but are still worth mentioning.
Ordinary green card holders can apply for US citizenship after completing five years in the US from when they received their green cards. Out of those five years, you must also have been in the United States physically for thirty months, which is about two and a half years.
These conditions also apply for green card holders with special circumstances. However, you first need to consult with the USCIS to know whether you qualify for citizenship.
Married to a US Citizen
An immigrant married to a US citizen can apply for citizenship five years after acquiring their green card. The spouse must be a United States Citizen for more than three years, and you must have physically been in the US for at least eighteen months.
Widow/Widower of an Ex-Military Serviceman/Woman
If you’re the spouse of a military serviceman/woman who lost their life while serving in the army, you can apply for US citizenship at any time. However, you need to prove that you were living with your spouse during the time of death. You also need to be a legitimate green card holder.
Military Service
An immigrant serving in any capacity in the military can become a US citizen by naturalization. Here’s how you can become a US citizen if you serve or served in the military.
Served in the Military Less Than a Year During Peacetime
Peacetime describes the period when a country isn’t at war. If you’ve served for less than a year during peacetime, you qualify for US citizenship.
However, you must be a legitimate green card holder for at least five years. Your time of service also counts in those five years. Out of those five years, you must also have physically been in the US for at least 30 months.
Served in the Military for Whatever Period During Wartime
You can apply for US citizenship if you’ve served during wartime regardless of whether you hold a green card or not. The only condition is that you must have been physically present in the US or any of its territories when you were enlisted in the military.
If your spouse meets the above conditions, you can also qualify for citizenship regardless of whether you hold a green card or not.
Other Requirements for Naturalization
The above are the major conditions for citizenship by naturalization. Besides the above, to qualify for naturalization citizenship, you must:
- Be over the age of eighteen.
- Show a willingness to serve in the US military
- Demonstrate a willingness to defend the US constitution
- Pass a naturalization test
- Sufficiently be of good moral character
- Be or have been a resident of the state you plan to be a citizen in for at least three months
- Not have taken trips outside of the US for more than six months during the three or five year period as a green card holder
You can also become a US citizen through derivative naturalization. This means that you get citizenship when you’re born to “naturalized” parents, or when you get adopted by the same.
You Now Know How to Become a United States Citizen
Hopefully, you now know how to become a United States citizen. Make sure you give it some thought before finalizing your decision.
It may take a while before your application is processed for the USCIS to grant you full citizenship. However, if you meet all the eligibility requirements, then you have nothing to worry about. The United States is very welcoming to immigrants who want to become a US citizen through the correct procedures.
For more informative reads, be sure to check out the other pieces on the site.
