The requirements for applying for citizenship
To determine if you meet the requirements for applying for citizenship, you can review the following ten (10) criteria.
If you meet all the general requirements, you can take advantage of our ‘DIY Application Service.’
However, if your case falls under any of the exceptional criteria, it may be beneficial to have an experienced immigration lawyer handle your case from the beginning. In such instances, we recommend our ‘Regular Application Service’ instead of our ‘DIY Application Service.’
Generally, you must be at least 18 years of age or older to apply for citizenship.
However, there are exceptions:
If you are a member of the U.S. armed forces, special circumstances may allow you to become a citizen even if you are under 18.
Generally, you must have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years to apply for citizenship.
However, there are exceptions:
- If you have been a permanent resident for at least 3 years and have been married to a U.S. citizen during that period, your Continuous Residence Requirement is met.
- Survivors of domestic violence who obtained their Green Card as the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen can meet the Continuous Residence Requirement after residing in the U.S. for at least 3 years as a lawful permanent resident, even if the marrriage with U.S. citizen has not been maintained.
- If you honorably served in time of war during a designated period, there are special circumstances where you may apply for citizenship even if you are not a permanent resident.
- If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is regularly stationed abroad in qualifying employment (work for U.S. government, American institution of research, American firm, religious organization) there are special circumstances where you may apply for citizenship without meeting the Continuous Residence Requirement.
*Please note that you may apply for citizenship up to 90 days prior to the continuous residence requirement is met.
Generally, you must not have had any single trip outside the U.S. longer than 6 months within the past 5 years (or within the past 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
However, there are exceptions:
If you can prove that your continuous residence has been maintained and not disrupted, there are special circumstances where you can apply for citizenship even if your single trip outside the U.S. was longer than 6 months but shorter than 12 months.
If you are regularly stationed abroad in qualifying employment (work for U.S. government worker, American institution of research, American firm, Media organizations, Interpreter, translator, or security-related position, religious organization), there are special circumstances where you may apply for citizenship without meeting the No Disruption of Continuity of Residence Requirement.(470 &12 physical)
If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is regularly stationed abroad in qualifying employment (work for U.S. government, American institution of research, American firm, religious organization), there are special circumstances where you may apply for citizenship without meeting the No Disruption of Continuity of Residence Requirement.
Generally, you must have been physically present in the U.S. for more than 30 months within the past 5 years (or more than 15 months within the past 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen for the same period).
However, there are exceptions:
- If you are regularly stationed abroad in qualifying employment as a U.S. government worker or a missionary, there are special circumstances where you may apply for citizenship without meeting the Physical Presence Requirement. (N470 & 12months physical)
- If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is regularly stationed abroad in qualifying employment (work for U.S. government, American institution of research, American firm, religious organization), there are special circumstances where you may apply for citizenship without meeting the Physical Presence Requirement
Generally, you must be able to read, write, and communicate orally in basic English.
However, there are exceptions:
You are exempt from the English language requirement in the following cases,
1)If you are 50 or older and have lived in the U.S as a permanent resident for 20 years or more at time of filing: or
2)If you are 55 or older and have lived in the U.S as a permanent resident for 15 years or more at time of filing.
Generally, you must be able to pass the civic test conducted in English requiring Knowledge in U.S. history and government.
However, there are exceptions:
You may take the test in the language of your choice (not English) using an interpreter,
1)If you are 50 or older and have lived in the U.S as a permanent resident for 20 years or more at time of filing:
2)If you are 55 or older and have lived in the U.S as a permanent resident for 15 years or more at time of filing: or
3)If you are 65 or older and have lived in the U.S as a permanent resident for 20 years or more at time of filing. (If you meet this requirement, you will be given a simplified version of the civic test.)
You must demonstrate good moral character for a specified period, usually the past 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen during that time).
Committing a crime during this period may raise concerns about your moral character. However, It’s important to note:
1) Single petty crime typically does not automatically demonstrate a lack of good moral character.
2) Serious crimes, even if committed more than 5 years ago, could still be considered as evidence of lacking good moral character.
Each case is assessed individually, taking into account the nature and severity of the crime, rehabilitation efforts, and other factors. Therefore, it is important to present a clear and comprehensive case to demonstrate good moral character for citizenship.
You must submit your application to the state or service district that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. You should have lived in that location for at least three months before filing the application.
You must understand and commit to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
The filing fee required by USCIS is $760 (or $710 for online filing).
You may qualify for a reduced filing fee of $380 if your household income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Additionally, you may be eligible for a fee waiver (where no fee is required) under the following circumstances:
- If you, your spouse, or household head receive means-tested benefits,
- If your household income is less than 150% of the federal poverty guideline,
- If you are experiencing financial hardship.
If you are requesting a filing fee waiver or reduction, you will need to provide evidence to support your request. You may still use our service, but you might require multiple consulting sessions with our attorney and/or assistance from a financial expert (such as a CPA or tax preparer) unless you are proficient in understanding and gathering your financial information.