How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen after green card?

Naturalization: 3-5 Years After Obtaining a Green Card To naturalize, you must file Form N-400 with USCIS. Importantly, to apply for citizenship, you first have to have your green card for a certain period of time. Normally, you will have to have your green card for at least five years before applying for citizenship.

How long does it take to become a citizen after green card?

Who Qualifies For Citizenship? All green card holders, as long as they meet key conditions, can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (known as the “five-year rule”) — but those with a U.S. spouse and a green card through marriage can apply after only three years (known as the “three-year rule”).

What is the fastest way to get U.S. citizenship?

Military and marriage-related naturalization are usually the fastest, but even a typical green card route may take as little as five years.

What is the 4 year 1 day rule for U.S. citizenship?

The Four Year and One Day Rule

Essentially, if you broke your continuous residence, the four-year and one-day rule shortens the waiting period by one year. It offers an opportunity to become eligible for naturalization sooner, provided that you meet all the other requirements for citizenship.

Does marrying an American guarantee citizenship?

Will someone become a U.S. citizen if I marry them? Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not automatically grant someone U.S. citizenship. However, marriage to a U.S. citizen can be a pathway to immigration benefits, such as obtaining a green card.

How long do I have to have a green card before becoming a US Citizen? (3 vs 5 years)

How long it takes for a U.S. citizen to bring his wife?

- The processing time for U.S. citizens filing Form I-130 for a spouse beneficiary ranges from 13-54.5 months. - The processing time for legal permanent residents filing Form I-130 for a spouse beneficiary ranges from 32-67.5 months.

What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?

Can I stay on green card forever?

Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date, most are valid for 10 years. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years. It is important to keep your card up-to-date.

How long can a U.S. citizen stay outside the US?

You can travel abroad for as long as you'd like without any risk of losing your U.S. citizenship. And if you plan to stay outside of the United States for longer than a year, you won't need a re-entry permit in order to return, as is the case for green card holders (permanent residents).

How long can green card holders stay outside the US?

Remaining outside the United States for more than one year may result in a loss of Lawful Permanent Resident status.

How much does the U.S. citizenship cost?

The naturalization application fee is $725 (including the $85 biometric services fee) through March 31, 2024. Starting April 1, 2024, the application fee is $710 for those filing online and $760 for those filing on paper by mail. There will no longer be a separate biometrics fee.

How long does it really take to become a U.S. citizen?

On average, it takes 18 months to 24 months to complete the naturalization process and become a U.S. citizen.

Is America hard to get citizenship?

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.

What happens if I stay more than 6 months outside US with green card?

However, your trip must be temporary and you cannot remain outside the United States for more than 1 year. If the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer believes you do not intend to continue living permanently in the United States, they could revoke your status as a permanent resident.

How long does it take to get citizenship after applying 2023?

Processing times for Form N-400 (officially called the “Application for Naturalization”) have decreased in 2023, averaging 6.4 months. For more up to date timelines, we analyzes monthly processing times at USCIS field offices across the country; you can find our timeline estimates for Form N-400 here.

Can I get a US passport with a green card?

A green card holder is not a US citizen. Only US citizens, by birth or naturalization, may receive a US passport.

What is the 6 month rule for US green card?

An absence of more than 6 months (more than 180 days) but less than 1 year (less than 365 days) during the period for which continuous residence is required (also called “the statutory period”) is presumed to break the continuity of such residence.

What are the disadvantages of a green card?

Can I travel immediately after getting green card?

You can't leave the country until you have your approved travel document in hand, so you should expect to spend the 3–5 months after submitting your green card application in the United States. Theoretically, you could be out of the United States for as long as you have a travel document (one year plus renewals).

How do I keep my green card status while living abroad?

What are the benefits of green card holders over 65?

Green card holders above 65 can qualify for Medicare if they meet the eligibility criteria for the program. If they do not meet the eligibility criteria for Medicare, they can purchase domestic plans from healthcare.gov.

What happens to green card after 10 years?

You should file Form I-90 to renew your Permanent Resident Card if you were issued a card valid for 10 years that has either expired or will expire within the next 6 months. Also, if you became a permanent resident before you turned 14 years old, you are required to replace your card when you become 14 years old.

Can I become a U.S. citizen from UK?

Once you have lived in the US for a certain qualifying period of time as a permanent resident, you might be eligible to apply for US Citizenship. Both the UK and the US allow dual citizenship so UK Citizens wanting to become US Citizens can do so without having to worry about losing their status in their home country.

Do you have to speak English to become a U.S. citizen?

Naturalization requirements:

You must be physically present in the U.S. for at least half that time. You must be a person of “good moral character.” This means not having certain problems with the police or other authorities. You must be able to read, write, and speak basic English.

How do I become a full U.S. citizen?

There are two ways to become a United States (U.S.) citizen – by birth or through naturalization.