What Are The Steps To Become US Citizen?
When given a US green card, you have two choices: renew it repeatedly or request to become a US citizen.
How To Become a US Citizen?
Are you thinking about immigrating to the US? Haven’t dealt with USCIS before? You must submit certified translations for all your documents if they’re not in English.
Benefits of being a US citizen
Though you are not expected to become a US citizen when you get your green card, becoming one has several benefits. Here are some benefits of being a US citizen:
- Run for community office
- Get the right to take part in an election
- Enjoy overseas travel longer than six months
- Be qualified for national benefits and service
- No fear of banishment
- Ability to support other eligible family members
- Profit from the tax laws
- Be allowed to carry a US passport
- Be qualified for the monetary scholarship or grants
The process
Depending on the conditions, obtaining US citizenship can take less than a year or many years. One of the ideas is based on where you are settled when you apply for citizenship. If you are not yet a green card holder, this is where your whole process to become a US citizen will begin. If your parents are not US residents, you must migrate to the US and become a resident. After that, you must build the 5-year constant residency and apply for the naturalization process. The residency condition is shorter by about two years if you are wedded to a US resident or a member of the US Military.
If you are already a green card holder and you have met the claimed years of continuous residency, you are qualified to apply and become a US citizen.
What are the four ways to become a US citizen?
- Citizenship through naturalization: You go through the process of immigration and spend a specific amount of time in the US to become a citizen
- Citizenship through marriage: You apply for citizenship because you are married to a US citizen
- Citizenship through parents: If one or both of your parents are US citizens, you will become one, too
- Citizenship through military: If you serve honorably in the military, you will be eligible to apply for US citizenship
What qualifies you to be a US citizen?
- Being a green card holder for at least five years
- Being married to a citizen of the US
- Being the child of American parent or parents, even if you were born outside the US
- Serving honorably in the military of the US
- Fulfilling all the requirements of the USCIS when you apply for citizenship
How much does it cost to become a US citizen in 2020?
If you are applying for US citizenship through naturalization, you will have to pay a fee of $725. But there are other expenses you will also have to take care of. You will have to get your birth certificate translated by qualified experts. The fee you must pay an immigration attorney if you hire one is separate.
How long does it take to become a citizen us?
It can take you anywhere between a year to a year and a half to become a citizen of the US. The naturalization application alone will be processed in eight months. After that, your citizenship interview and review will take four months. You might also have to wait for four months to get a decision on your application. Taking the oath of allegiance and getting your certificate of naturalization will take additional one and a half months.
The steps to become a US citizen
The first move to become a citizen is to register Form N-400 and pay the fees. USCIS will process your request. A small error in your application is associated with obstacles in processing, so make sure that this necessary first move is correct. You can get advice from a migration lawyer and ensure that a certified translator translates all your needed documents or certificates not in English and that the translation is done according to USCIS requirements.
Once USCIS has evaluated and accepted your request, you will get a notification from the bureau. You’ll be notified of the timing of the immigration interview and test. The meeting time will depend on where you are, as longer waiting lists are in some regions.
When you pass the test and interview, you may still need to wait for a day, 180 days or two years before you can receive the citizenship oath, which is the ultimate step to becoming a US citizen. Your area and the number of people expecting citizenship consent affect the waiting time for the oath-taking ceremony, where you will get your naturalization certificate.
If you are already a permanent citizen in the US, the naturalization process can take six months to two years. You must meet all the conditions of the USCIS. Ensure all your needed papers are in sequence, have all your non-English documents translated and certified, and keep duplicate copies of everything.
If you need a professional translation, contact Universal Translation Services and let’s talk about your needs.
Dual Citizenship & U.S. Law
Permanent residents in the United States must meet specific eligibility requirements to become naturalized citizens, a process overseen by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Among these requirements, continuous residence in the U.S. is crucial, ensuring that applicants have established a significant period of physical presence within the country.
Additionally, certain individuals may expedite their path to citizenship through military service, highlighting the nation’s appreciation for those who serve. The United States also allows for dual citizenship, enabling individuals to retain their original nationality while embracing U.S. citizenship. This policy reflects the country’s diverse and inclusive approach to building its population, recognizing the value of cultural and national identities.
The citizenship application process for eligibility for naturalization as an American citizen involves several critical steps, catering to both individuals who are citizens by birth and foreign nationals seeking to join the American fold. Applicants must provide proof of citizenship, which can vary depending on whether their claim is based on their country of birth, country of origin, or a direct familial connection.
The process includes submitting detailed documentation, enduring potentially lengthy processing times, and attending a biometrics appointment, where fingerprints and photographs are taken for identification purposes. Notably, individuals born in territories like Puerto Rico are recognized as U.S. citizens by birth, simplifying their proof of citizenship. This comprehensive process ensures that all applicants meet the stringent requirements set forth by U.S. immigration laws, maintaining the integrity of American citizenship.
Military Naturalization Process Guide
Members of the armed forces can undergo a specialized process of naturalization to obtain U.S. citizenship, which recognizes their service and commitment to the country. This process often involves expedited application procedures and may culminate in receiving a certificate of citizenship through a USCIS field office. For servicemembers, the prerequisites for permanent residence and the required period of time spent in the U.S. prior to application can be adjusted to facilitate their naturalization.
The application process for those in the military might also include fee reductions or waivers as an acknowledgment of their service. Additionally, individuals who acquire citizenship at birth but require formal documentation can apply for a certificate of citizenship, solidifying their status officially. This tailored approach ensures that those who serve or have served in the armed forces have accessible pathways to citizenship, reflecting the nation’s gratitude for their dedication.
The acquisition of citizenship involves navigating through various legal and procedural steps, which can be influenced by factors such as holding public office, having a criminal record, or previous involvement in domestic violence. Applicants from any foreign country must carefully follow the process, which includes receiving an appointment notice for proceedings held in federal courts or designated field offices, based on their ZIP code. This comprehensive process ensures that all aspects of an applicant’s background are thoroughly reviewed to maintain the integrity of citizenship.
Additionally, the government provides study materials to help applicants prepare for the citizenship test, ensuring they have the knowledge required to successfully integrate and participate fully in the country’s civic life. This meticulous approach underscores the importance of upholding the nation’s legal and moral standards in the citizenship process.
USCIS Your Guide to Naturalization
Immigration plans, especially those involving the path to citizenship, require careful consideration of various factors by naturalization applicants, including the understanding of physical custody requirements, application fees, and additional costs such as the biometrics fee. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) oversees this intricate process, guiding citizenship applicants through each step.
From the initial application to the final oath ceremony, the citizenship timeline can vary significantly, influenced by the complexity of individual cases and the current workload of the USCIS. Applicants must be prepared for the financial aspects of their journey, as both the application and biometrics fees are critical components of the process, reflecting the investment and commitment required to achieve the goal of becoming a U.S. citizen.
The U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Services, operating under the Department of State, plays a pivotal role in the conferring of nationality to individuals seeking to become U.S. citizens. This intricate process is governed by U.S. nationality law, which outlines specific criteria, including military service requirements for certain applicants and visa requirements for others.
The pathway to citizenship is a testament to an individual’s commitment to fully embrace the responsibilities and privileges of being a U.S. citizen. Through a comprehensive evaluation of each applicant’s eligibility, the U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Services ensures that the principles of fairness and justice are upheld, reflecting the nation’s values in its process of welcoming new citizens.
Dual Citizens Immigration
Holding dual nationality presents unique considerations, especially when it comes to legal residence and navigating the complexities of immigration laws. In states like South Dakota, where the landscape of immigration can vary, individuals with dual nationality may face specific residency requirements, often needing to maintain legal residence for two-and-a-half to three-to-five years as part of their naturalization process.
For those with criminal convictions, the path to citizenship can become more complicated, necessitating the guidance of a team of immigration experts to navigate the legal intricacies. Meanwhile, active-duty military service members may be afforded certain exemptions or expedited processes in recognition of their service.
This nuanced approach to immigration underscores the importance of understanding each individual’s unique circumstances, particularly for those balancing the responsibilities and privileges of dual nationality.
Immigration fraud poses significant challenges to the integrity of immigration systems worldwide. Publications like those from Oxford University Press often highlight the complexity of this issue, shedding light on how it can undermine the efforts of various institutions, including police department workers and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, dedicated to upholding naturalization laws and curbing illegal immigration.
The fraudulent manipulation of the initial application process not only jeopardizes the legal pathways to citizenship but also disrespects the honorable service of individuals genuinely seeking to contribute to their new homeland. Addressing immigration fraud requires a concerted effort from all levels of enforcement and legal oversight to ensure that the principles of fairness and justice are preserved for those who follow the rigorous journey toward naturalization.
