People from all over the world who immigrate dream of living in America. It takes a long road to becoming a citizen, and arriving in the country of opportunity is only the first step. Obtaining a green card allows the majority of immigrants to remain in the country lawfully (becoming a legal permanent resident).
There are four main ways for immigrants to become citizens of the US: naturalization, marriage, birth, and military service.
What Is the Easiest Way to Become a US Citizen?
The most typical way for most people to start the citizenship application process is by submitting a green card application. The usual route for most immigrants to naturalize as citizens of the United States is through citizenship.
You can choose the approach that is ideal for your circumstances by consulting this list of the four primary ways to become a citizen of the United States.
How to Become a US Citizen
Here’s how you can fulfill your dream of becoming a citizen of the United States by using the four ways mentioned above:
1. How to Become a US Citizen Through Naturalization
Being in possession of a green card makes naturalizing into a citizen of the United States more simpler. In essence, having a green card indicates you are already a legitimate permanent resident of the United States. As a result, it is definitely feasible to live and work freely in the United States.
As long as you fulfill specified standards, you may obtain a green card. For instance, if you received a fantastic job offer, you may ask your employer to submit a green card petition on your behalf. However, if you can show that you have strong abilities, you can also petition for yourself.
If you have a relative who is legally residing in the United States, you may receive a green card. You may be able to obtain the green card you so desperately want if you are the citizen’s unmarried child under 21 or if you are the spouse or parent.
Last but not least, if you were a refugee or asylee who spent a year in the country, you may also get your green card.
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What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Naturalized Citizen?
There are still some requirements you must fulfill even though you can get naturalized in the ways listed above, such as:
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
- Understanding the fundamentals of US governance and US history
- Proof that you lived permanently in the United States for at least five years before applying for naturalization
- Evidence that you were physically in the country for at least 2.5 years of that time
- You must be literate in English, both written and spoken.
- Sound morals.
- Demonstrate that you have spent at least 30 months residing in the same USCIS district or state.
2. How to become a US Citizen Through Marriage
If you are married to a citizen of the United States, you may also become a citizen of US. Form I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative, must be submitted. This supports your application for a green card because it solidifies your relationship with your significant other. But before you can get that green card, there are some things you’ll need to verify. In essence, you will require proof that you are married, such as your marriage certificate.
Not to mention that the immigrant spouse will need to wait a specific period of time to get their visa if they reside outside of the United States. After that, a visit to the embassy or consulate is required for an interview. The spouse may submit Form I-485 to modify the status after they are eventually allowed to enter the country.
If your spouse is currently residing in the United States with you, they may also change their status when you fill out the I-130 form. In addition, Form I-485 must be filled out.
3. How to become a US Citizen Through Parents
It makes it simpler for you to become a citizen of the United States if your parents were married and reside in the country. Naturally, this works if your parents are still together. If they are, you are still eligible to apply for citizenship even if you were not born here. However, previous to the child’s birth, at least one of the parents had to have resided in the United States.
You still have the chance to become a citizen of the United States even if just one of your parents is a citizen. In essence, if you wish to be eligible, your parents must be wed. In addition, the parent must have spent a significant amount of time in the United States. He/she must have physically resided in the United States for at least five years before the birth of their child, to be more precise.
Even if the parents are not married, citizenship can still be obtained. This is possible as long as the child’s father can substantiate that he is the child’s biological father and that he was a citizen of the United States at the time of the child’s birth.
It is also feasible if the mother of the child was a citizen of the United States at the time of the child’s birth and spent at least a year on American soil.
4. How to become a US Citizen Through Military Service
You may submit a naturalization application if you have served in the military. This proves that you performed honorably during your time in the military. But if you want to do it this way, there are several conditions you need to satisfy.
What Conditions Must Be Met to Become a Citizen Through the Military?
- You must be familiar with American politics and history.
- When applying, you must be at least 18 years old.
- You must be a morally upright person, which means that you pay your taxes and child support and haven’t been convicted of any severe crimes.
- You must be able to read, write, and speak English.
How Long Does It Take to Become a U.S. Citizen?
The route you choose will determine how long it will take you to become a citizen of the United States. Citizenship obtained through naturalization is the most popular route. It could take at least six months to process your Form N-400, but it could take up to eight to fourteen months.
You could be asked to submit more supporting material or take the test again. After making a determination, USCIS may promptly grant or refuse you citizenship. If your application is accepted, you will go to a ceremony to take the Oath of Allegiance and finish the difficult process of becoming a citizen of the United States.
You should start the route to citizenship right away. If you want to get a passport, participate in elections, and give your kids all the rights and privileges of citizens. The earlier you start, the better because delays and backlogs can happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Becoming U.S. citizen hard?
It is challenging due to the prolonged processing delays, the associated financial and human costs, and the reality that the majority of immigrants do not have a close relative who is an American citizen. Furthermore, some immigrants may find it difficult to comprehend the complicated requirements for U.S. citizenship.
What are the 3 rights only for US citizens?
Right to apply for federal jobs that require citizenship in the United States. the ability to run for office. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are all freedoms.
Do you get deported if you fail the citizenship test?
Normal refusal of U.S. citizenship leaves the person with permanent residence, but there is a possibility of deportation and cancellation of their green card.
Conclusion
As long as you fulfill the standards, you can realize your ambition of becoming a citizen of the United States. You can see that there are four ways to become a responsible citizen. You can therefore employ one of these methods and start living in the United States, depending on your circumstances.
Make sure you and your spouse take the necessary actions, such as filing the appropriate documents, and that you have the relevant documentation to support your condition.