Becoming a US citizen is a privilege for those non-immigrant foreign citizens who are working and residing in America on temporary basis. US citizens are granted several benefits and protections that are not available to permanent residents. The path to American Citizenship can be a long waiting process if an applicant does not qualify for permanent residency or commonly known as ‘Green Card’.
Obtaining permanent residency
Permanent residency can be gained directly by applying for an American Immigrant Visa either as a preference or non-preference system of visa allocation. It is a three-step process and every non-immigrant applicant willing to obtain this permanent residency must go through this three-step visa process.
The USCIS must approve your immigrant petition which is usually filed by a relative or employer for you
Firstly, an immigrant petition is filed for the applicant by an American relative or employer. It must be approved by USCIS unless, the application process stops here.
You must obtain an immigrant visa number meaning the USCIS has assigned you an immigrant visa
Secondly, as the Immigration petition is approved, an applicant must obtain an immigrant visa number. This will mean as USCIS has assigned the applicant for an US immigrant visa.
If you are in America, you may apply to adjust to permanent residence once your visa number becomes available. Lastly, a successful candidate may apply for an American permanent residence once his/her visa number becomes available to them.
Naturalization
Permanent residents of America are not automatically considered as citizen of America. There are a number of requirements and process, which must be met by a permanent resident that can change the status to that of American citizen. Some of the requirements, which must be fulfilled, are mentioned below:
Be at least 18 years old
Candidates for American citizenship must be at least 18 years old by law, until and unless they are exception to this rule and subject to waiver.
Have lawful permanent residence
A candidate applying for American citizenship must be a lawful permanent residence of America.
Have resided continuously as a lawful permanent resident in America for at least 5 years prior to filing with absences from America totalling not more than 1 year
Permanent residents of America applying for American citizenship must have resided in America for at least 5 years as a lawful permanent resident and must not absent from America more than 1 year by law.
Be a good moral character
Applicants for American citizenship must hold a good moral character and must not involve in any such offence during his permanent residency in America.
Be able to show he or she is attached to the principles of American Constitution
Applicants applying for American citizenship must have respect and dignity to the country from which they are associated and they must also be able to show that they are attached to the principles of American Constitution.
Be able to read, write and understand words in ordinary usage
An applicant must be able read, write, understand and communicate English language for ordinary usage in the country.
Has been residing in America subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for at least 15 years and is over 55 years of age
Permanent resident of America is eligible for American citizenship if he or she is a permanent residence of the country and should be over 55 years in age.
Has been residing in America subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for at least 20 years and is over 50 years of age
There are provisions for American citizenship to those American residents residing for at least 20 years in the country by law and should be over 50 years in age.
Has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects the applicant’s ability to learn English
Candidates with physical or mental impairment with strong medically determinable to learn English are welcome to apply for American citizenship in America.
Be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals
Candidates applying for American citizenship must have a fair knowledge and understanding about the fundamentals of the history and of the principles and formation of government of America.
Take the oath of allegiance
Permanent residents of America, applying for American citizenship must be loyal and committed to the below given principles:
- Support the constitution and obey the laws of America
- An American citizen must involve in supporting the constitution and obeying the laws of America from the inner part of his heart.
- Renounce any foreign allegiance and/or foreign title
An American citizen should be loyal to his/her country and should not involve in any loyalty or title, which is given from outside countries.
- Bear arms for the Armed Forces of the America or perform services for the American government when required
An American citizen must always be prepared to serve their country in any forms whenever it is required. It can be whether bearing arms for the Armed Forces or by performing services for the American government during crisis.