Millions of people looking for a fresh start or bright future are drawn to the United States because it still presents a unique promise of opportunity and optimism.
Several benefits, rights, and privileges are associated with being a US citizen. For this reason, people will make great sacrifices to come to the United States and apply for citizenship.
Although most Americans are born in the United States, foreign-born people can also obtain US citizenship in other ways. In this article, we’ll review the four routes you can take to help you overcome the challenges of obtaining US citizenship.
What are the Four Ways to Become a US Citizen?
Immigrants from many countries dream of living the American dream and starting a life as a United States citizen. You could be eligible for various paths to American citizenship. We’ve compiled the four types of US Citizenship routes:
1. Citizenship by Naturalization
For foreign nationals, citizenship through naturalization is the most common route to becoming a US citizen. The main requirement to apply for naturalization is to be one of the following:
- A green card holder
- A permanent resident of the US for at least five years to be eligible for this route
Requirements
There are other exceptional circumstances and eligibility requirements for citizenship that you must meet when you apply for naturalization. These include:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Proving that you have had continuous residence in the US for at least two and a half years during the five-year qualifying period
- Being able to read, write, and speak the English language
- Demonstrating that you are of good character
- Demonstrating knowledge of US history and government with Civics Test
- Demonstrating loyalty to the principles of the US Constitution
- Taking the Oath of Allegiance.
You can apply for citizenship based on naturalization by filling in form N-400. In addition, you can file online or on paper. When you submit your application form, you must provide supporting documents to prove you can meet the above requirements.
You may also have to attend an interview during the naturalization process. Also, you must sit for a Civics Test where a USCIS officer will ask up to 10 questions from a pool of 100 questions. You must answer six or more correctly.
2. Citizenship by Marriage
If you are married to a US citizen, then you could be eligible to apply for a Green Card. Your spouse must submit Form I-130 Petition for an Alien Relative to do this. This form establishes a relationship between you and your spouse.
To become a Green Card holder, you must prove that your relationship with your immigrant spouse is genuine and provide documents, such as a marriage certificate.
Requirements
After becoming a Green Card holder, you can apply for naturalization as a US citizen. However, you must first meet the requirements for the naturalization of US citizens.
These differ slightly for individuals who are married to a US citizen. You must:
- Have been a lawful permanent resident of the US for at least three years before the date of your application (this is usually five years for applicants who are not married to a US citizen)
- Have you lived in a marital union with your spouse in the US during the three years before your application?
- Have had continuous residence in the US for at least three years before your application
In addition, you must meet the other naturalization requirements, such as good moral character, speaking English (you may need an English test), and demonstrating a knowledge of US history for the Department of State to pass your application to become a US citizen.
3. Citizenship Through Parents
US citizenship can also be secured through the status of your parents. If both of your parents were born in the US and are married, then you are automatically entitled to US citizenship by birth, even if you were born outside the US.
If you have just one American citizen parent, you may still be able to acquire citizenship. To qualify if you have one US citizen parent and were born before November 14, 1986, but after October 10, 1952, then:
- Your parents must have been married at the time of your birth.
- The US citizen parent must have been physically present in the US or its territories for at least ten years at some point in their life.
- Five of these years must have been after their 14th birthday.
To qualify for this, if you have one parent with US citizenship and were born on or after November 14, 1986, then:
- Your parents must have been married at the time of birth.
- The US citizen parent must have been physically present in the US or its territories for at least five years at some point in their life before the birth.
- At least two of these years must have been after their 14th birthday.
To acquire US citizenship this way, you must complete and submit Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship.
If you have naturalized as a US citizen, your children under the age of 18 can derive US citizenship automatically as long as they have a Green Card and reside in the United States. They won’t have to go through the naturalization process themselves.
4. Citizenship Through the Military
Individuals who have served honorably in the United States armed forces can also become US citizens through military service and resulting naturalization.
The requirements for a naturalization ceremony vary depending on whether you have served during peacetime or a period of hostility. Furthermore, the US has been in a period of hostility since September 11, 2001.
Those who have served in active duty during a period of hostility can apply for naturalization immediately and are not required to become permanent residents before doing so.
If you have served during peacetime, you will need to have served for at least a year and 1 year before applying, applying while still in service or within 6 months of ending service, and obtaining a green card.
Can I Hold Dual US Citizenship?
Dual citizenship has many benefits, including being granted US citizenship rights in two countries. The United States government allows its citizens to hold dual citizenship, which means you do not have to give up your original nationality to become a US citizen.
However, it’s worth noting that to obtain citizenship from more than one country, both countries must legally allow it. As a dual citizen, you will still be expected to pay US taxes no matter which country you live in, and you must pay income taxes even on income earned outside of the US.
This means you could be required to pay taxes on the same income to the US and your other country of citizenship.
What are the Benefits of the United States Citizenship?
- Right to vote
- Eligibility for federal jobs
- Ability to sponsor family members for green cards
- Protection from deportation
- US passport for international travel
What are the Grounds for Refusal of the US Citizenship Application?
- Residency Requirements: Not meeting the continuous residence (5 years, or three if married to a US citizen) and physical presence requirements (30 months or 18 months)
- Moral Character: Criminal records, false testimony, or unpaid taxes can disqualify applicants.
- Security Concerns: Associations with terrorist activities or evasion of Selective Service registration
- Application Compliance: Incomplete applications or missed appointments.
- Language and Civics Knowledge: Failing the English and US history/civics tests after two attempts
- Constitutional Attachment: Refusal to take the Oath of Allegiance or lack of loyalty to US principles.
- Other Factors: Fraudulent activity or failure to support dependents.
If denied, you can file Form N-336 for a hearing within 30 days or reapply after addressing the issues.
