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

There are several routes to becoming a citizen in the United States, but by far, the fastest is to become naturalized by marriage. Expedited naturalization by marriage requires you to live in the United States with your citizen spouse for three years.

How fast can you get U.S. citizenship?

The current average processing time across all offices is 15.5 months. The whole naturalization process (including application processing, the citizenship interview and exam, and oath of allegiance ceremony) takes 18-24 months on average.

What is the shortest time to get citizenship?

In general, a noncitizen must spend at least 5 years as a lawful permanent resident to be eligible for naturalization while a spouse of a U.S. citizen must spend at least 3 years as a lawful permanent resident. The median years spent as an LPR for all citizens naturalized in FY 2023 was 7 years.

What are the fastest ways to become an American citizen?

Which US state is easiest to get citizenship?

The top three states with the largest population of lawful permanent residents eligible to become U.S. citizens are California, New York, and Florida.

How to Become a US Citizen Without Breaking the Law (But Maybe Bending It)

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

Who gets denied U.S. citizenship?

Based on the information gathered, USCIS may approve or deny the application. Reasons for denial include lack of eligibility and failure to meet test requirements. Security concerns such as criminal history or association with terrorist organizations can also be grounds for rejection.

What are the two ways to automatically become a U.S. citizen?

A person can become an American citizen in one of two ways: by birth or by naturalization. A person may be born a U.S. citizen by either jus soli, i.e., through place of birth, or jus sanguinis, i.e. through descent from his/her parents.

How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen?

The current naturalization fee for a U.S. citizenship application is $725. That total includes $640 for application processing and $85 for biometrics services, both of which are nonrefundable, regardless of whether the U.S. government approves or rejects an application.

Which citizenship is the hardest to obtain?

1. Qatar. Qatar, nestled in the Persian Gulf and known for its immense wealth driven by the natural gas industry, is renowned for the stringent requirements for obtaining citizenship. To become a Qatari citizen as a foreigner, one must reside in the country continuously for a staggering 25 years.

How long is U.S. citizenship process 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.

How many immigrants get denied citizenship each year?

Of the applications submitted each year, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves about 23%, denies about 2–3%, and leaves about 70% pending. This article covers the U.S. citizenship by naturalization process and statistics on that process.

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.

Can I travel while waiting for citizenship?

You may travel to another country, including your home country, provided no other legal impediment precludes you from doing so. However, if your trip lasts longer than 180 days, USCIS may determine that you have not continuously resided in the United States and therefore are ineligible for naturalization.

What is the difference between citizenship and naturalization?

While both documents serve as proof of U.S. citizenship, the Certificate of Naturalization is issued to those who have become U.S. citizens through the naturalization process, while the Certificate of Citizenship is issued to those who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth or through other means.

What are 3 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?

Be of the minimum required age (typically, at least 18) Continuously and physically live in the United States as a green card holder for a certain number of years. Establish residency in the state or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) district where they intend to apply. Have “good moral character”

How much is citizenship 2023?

$640. (Add the $85 biometric fee for a total of $725, where applicable. See exceptions below.) If you file your Form N-400 online, you may pay your fee online.

Can I get U.S. citizenship in 1 year?

In general, you may qualify for naturalization if you are at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen) and meet all other eligibility requirements.

What automatically makes you a citizen?

Amendment XIV, Section 1, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution directs that all persons born in the United States are U.S. citizens. This is the case regardless of the tax or immigration status of a person's parents.

Do you have to take the citizenship test if you marry an American?

You cannot get US citizenship by marrying a US citizen. You must apply for naturalization on your own, after having qualified for legal permanent residency (a green card), and obeyed all the rules for green card holders for three to five years, depending on how you got your green card.

Which person is automatically a U.S. citizen?

A. General Requirements for Acquisition of Citizenship at Birth. A person born in the United States who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a U.S. citizen at birth, to include a child born to a member of an Indian, Eskimo, Aleutian, or other aboriginal tribe.

Do I lose my green card if my citizenship is denied?

Ordinarily, denial of U.S. citizenship leaves the person with permanent residence, but there's a risk of green card cancellation and deportation.

Does your credit score affect your citizenship?

The USCIS does not consider an applicant's credit score or financial history when determining eligibility for citizenship. However, if your financial situation leads to issues that could demonstrate a lack of good moral character, such as fraud or deceit, this could potentially affect your application.

How can I become a U.S. citizen without taking the test?

The USCIS states you may skip the English portion of the test if: You are at least 50 years old at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a green card holder in the United States for at least 20 years. This exception is commonly known as the 50/20 exemption.