Benefits of Becoming a US Citizen
There are plenty of reasons why someone would want to become a US citizen. There is so much diversity contained in America, and you can find different cultures across states and cities. Even if you’re just visiting the U.S. for a holiday, it truly is a memorable experience to see so many different people coexisting together and working to keep things running. And because the country is so large, you can move to another state whose lifestyle better suits your tastes. You can feel like you’ve moved to a different country without having to leave the continent!
Perhaps the most alluring factor of becoming a U.S. citizen is the economic opportunity you gain. With the right education and drive, you have the chance to get whatever job you want—especially a high paying one. For citizens of countries with a strict class system where it is nearly impossible to move up, the United States presents an environment where you choose your own future, and this future is attainable so long as you’re willing to work for it.
How to Become a US Permanent Resident
If you want to become a US Citizen, the first thing you need to do is become a US permanent resident. Most people know this process as “getting a green card.” With a green card, you will be able to live and work in the United States, serve in the country’s military, and have the right to own a firearm.
Requirements to Become a US Permanent Resident
The process by which you obtain your green card will vary—it all depends on your current situation. Sometimes, you may need to get a temporary visa before you can get permanent residency. Other times, you will be able to find a program that will let you get your green card almost immediately.
When you are getting ready to apply for your green card, it’s important to note that there are four ways to become a US citizen, or rather four routes you can take to get your green card.
If you are able to get a job with a U.S. company, then that company can sponsor you to get your green card. In this case, your permanent residency will be in the form of a
work visa.
Family sponsorship is a more common approach to getting your permanent residency, as it’s easier than some of the others. In this route, you can have an immediate family member sponsor you for your green card. There are six different paths you can choose in regards to a family sponsorship, including through immediate relatives, spouses and minor children, unmarried children, married children, and siblings. No matter the route you choose, your sponsor will need to file a few additional documents in order to help you get your green card, including
family petitions.
- Investment/Entrepreneurship
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa is for investors who are looking to move to the U.S. as entrepreneurs. If you invest in a business that will have the capacity for at least 10 full-time jobs within two years of starting, then you will qualify for this program.
When you are trying to apply for a green card and discover that either a) none of the above three routes apply to your situation, or b) the waiting period is just too long, you might consider applying for the Diversity Visa Lottery. This is a lottery program that randomly picks 50,000 people from regions with low U.S. immigration rates for permanent residency. The requirements for participants in this lottery include either a high school education or two years of work experience, and the applicant’s country can’t have high statistics of U.S. immigration.
You should keep in mind that there may be some factors that will prevent you from getting permanent residency, and you are required to take part in certain processes before your application can be finalized and approved. For example, you’ll need a health examination and must receive any necessary vaccinations before you can obtain your green card. If you have a criminal record, your application may not get approved. If you are deemed a threat to national security, you won’t be allowed a green card.
There are many other requirements to becoming a US permanent resident. The applications you fill out will usually state what these are, and how you can check if any of them apply to you.
Steps to Become a US Citizen
After you have gotten your permanent residency secured, now it’s time to apply for
citizenship.
Before you can secure your spot as a U.S. citizen, you must first go through the naturalization process. We’ll go into more detail in the steps to become a U.S. citizen below.
Requirements to Become a US Citizen
Before you can start your application to become a U.S. citizen, there are some general requirements you’ll need to meet, including:
- Physical Presence -
You must spend five years in the US as a permanent resident, with no more than 30 months spent outside of the country. One single trip away from the U.S. cannot last for more than a year. You can be exempt from these requirements if your travel was for work, or if you got approved for a longer trip by the USCIS.
- Local Residency -
When you are applying for naturalization as a permanent resident, you will usually complete this process from the area that you currently live in. You will need to live in this area for at least three months before starting your application, so don’t plan to move if your naturalization date is coming up!
- English Language Proficiency -
Your citizenship interview and naturalization test will be conducted in English, so you need to be able to read, write, and speak basic English.
- Civics Knowledge -
Your naturalization test will feature 10 questions regarding the history and government of the United States. You can get a study guide for this test from U.S. Customs and Immigration, and can also find resources online to help you get better acquainted with the topics on your naturalization test.
- Good Moral Character -
If you have abided by all of the U.S. laws during the five-year period of your permanent residency leading up to the naturalization process, and if you have met all the requirements for your green card, then this demonstrates that you have good moral character. So long as you meet these statutes, you should be able to check off this final requirement without issue.
Naturalization Process
After you have met all of the requirements to apply for US citizenship, it’s time to start the naturalization process. The first thing you’ll need to do is complete and file Form N-400, or the Application for Naturalization. There will be additional documents you may need to file along with this form, which will be stated in the form itself. Make sure to include these documents, and that you pay any attorney or filing fees.
After your application has been processed, the USCIS will reach out and make an appointment for you to complete a biometric screening, which is a short health exam where you will have your height and weight recorded, as well as some bloodwork done. After this screening is complete, you will then attend a second appointment where you will undergo a citizenship interview, which includes an English Language Test and a Naturalization Test.
Once you’ve completed your interview and testing, you’ll then wait for the USCIS to reach a decision on your application status. If you get approved, you’ll be invited to take part in a naturalization ceremony, where you’ll take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States. It’s at this ceremony where you’ll officially become a U.S. citizen.
Expedited Routes to Naturalization
Although most U.S. permanent residents are required to wait five years before they can apply for citizenship, you can greatly reduce this waiting period if you’re married to a U.S. citizen or if you serve in the U.S. military. However, you will still need to meet all of the other naturalization requirements and wait the allotted time on other applications before you can gain citizenship status.
The Law Offices of Malvern C. Burnett APLC doesn't just help immigrants become U.S. citizens, though. We assist with all legal threats that many immigrants face. If you are going through the
deportation process, our team can help defend you and ensure that you aren’t getting removed from the country on unlawful grounds. For
asylum seekers in fear of their life, our team can help you file the proper paperwork so that you can remain in the U.S.
No matter what you need, The Law Offices of Malvern C. Burnett APLC is here to support you and offer legal counsel. Let us help you with your immigration needs. Call us today to get started: (800) 208-8472.
