How To Get a US Citizenship?

In order to get US Citizenship, you need to go through a process called Naturalization. Every year, more than thousands of people from all over the world begin the naturalization process. According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency welcomed more than 7.4 million naturalized citizens over the last decade.

 Understanding the Naturalization Process

Any individual above 18 looking for US Citizenship has to start the naturalization process by filing an Application for Naturalization, Form N-400. To become a US citizen, you must meet the following terms and conditions:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Must have a clean criminal record
  • Speak English and pass the English test
  • Pass a US government and history test
  • Have been in the same state for three months before filing
  • Have been living in the US for at least 30 months out of the last five years of being a green card holder

 In addition to the terms and conditions listed above, you may also seek citizenship if:

  • You are a US citizen living outside of the US and have a child born outside the US.
  • You have a green card and have lived in a marital union with a US citizen for at least three years, and meet all other requirements.
  • You are serving or have served in the US armed forces and meet the different needs.

 Visas: The path to US Citizenship

Visas are the gateway for any foreign national looking to visit, work, or get legal residency in the US. There are many different types of visas, and with the continuous change of immigration laws, understanding which visa is right for you can be difficult.

 There are two main types of visas, including:

  • Family-Based Visas: If you are a citizen or lawful permanent resident, you can help individual family members get a family-based visa. Typically, spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 receive preference over others.
  • Employment-Based Visas: If you are a foreign national looking to work in the United States, or you’re an entrepreneur seeking foreign talent, an employment-based visa will satisfy your needs.

 Green Cards and Lawful Permanent Residency

A green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, allows you to live and work in the United States permanently. While green card holders are not citizens and cannot vote, become

an elected officials, or travel with a US passport, they may live and work in the country indefinitely. It’s a significant first step on many immigrant’s paths to full citizenship.

 There are a few techniques to get a green card. You can do so through employment, family sponsorship, as a victim of abuse, as an extraordinary immigrant, through the registry, or refugee or asylum status. Where you live will conclude which process you use to apply for a green card.

 

  • Adjustment of status with USCIS: If you are already present in the US, you can apply to change your current immigration status to a lawful permanent resident.
  • Consular processing: If you are outside the US, you can visit a US embassy to apply for a green card.

 At Reyes Schroeder Law & Associated, our experienced lawyers will help you obtaining US citizenship and legal residency. We also specialize in child custody, deportation defense, clean criminal record, appeals, and more. Give us a call, schedule a free consultation today with our lawyers, and get your queries solved!


Related Article: All You Need to Know About Family Based Visas


Location: United States

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