When and How can I Apply for U.S. Citizenship if I am a Lawful Permanent Resident?
If you have a green card and have been living in the United States for a while, you are probably wondering how long you have to wait to become an American citizen. The amount of time you have to wait has to do with what brought you to the states in the first place and how long you have been a permanent resident.
How Many Years Have You Lived in the States?
If a person already has a green card, the general rule is that they cannot apply for citizenship until they have lived in America as a permanent resident for at least five years.
Exceptions to the Five Year Rule
As most people know, there is an exception for foreigners who have married a citizen. If you initially came to the United States because you married an American, you will be considered a conditional resident for two years. You can apply for a green card after you have been a conditional resident for two years. After you have had your green card for three years, you may apply for citizenship. you must stay married to that person through the entire citizenship process. If your spouse passes away before your citizenship interview, you will not qualify for the marriage exception.
If you have been abused during a marriage, the immigration officer may grant you an exception. If you fill out a form stating that you have been abused and you may still be able to use the three-year exception for people who marry US citizens.
If you came to the US as a refugee, you will have to get a green card before applying for citizenship. However, you can start counting the amount of time you have been in the United States as soon as you were granted refugee status.
Early Application
Although you must wait five years from the date on your green card to apply for citizenship, you can submit your application 90 days in advance. The government allows you to do this because the application process can take a while. They are unlikely to start processing your application for at least three months anyway.
Filling out your N400 Paperwork
In order to start your application process, you must fill out an N400 form. In addition to asking you general questions about your address, age and how long you have lived in the country, they will ask you questions about your lineage and activities in the US. The form also requires you to consent to a full background check, which will include your criminal, financial and marital history. You must send in your application by mail. When the citizenship process begins, you will be interviewed and fingerprinted. You will take citizenship classes and a citizenship test. You will then be approved of or denied citizenship.
Finding the Right Attorney
People come from all over the world to become American citizens. You will need an immigration lawyer, who is well versed in the law and has many years of experience dealing with government offices and paperwork. Citizenship can become a reality with attention to details and the right attorney.
Authoritative Sources:
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