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The Path to American Citizenship

The path to American citizenship can be a long process, especially if you do not immediately qualify for permanent residency. Gaining permanent residency involves obtaining a permanent residency card, commonly called a "Green Card," which allows the person to live and work unrestricted in America.

Obtaining permanent residency is a 3 step process:

• First, the USCIS must approve your immigrant petition which is usually filed by a relative or employer for you;
• Second, you must obtain an immigrant visa number meaning the USCIS has assigned you an Immigrant Visa; and
• Thirdly, if you are in America, you may apply to adjust to permanent residence once your visa number becomes available (applicants outside America at the time their immigrant visa number comes available must complete their processing at their local American consulate).

Even if the USCIS approves your immigrant petition, it may mean you do not receive your immigrant number immediately. This is due to the fact that the amount of immigrant visa numbers made available each year does not meet the demand for permanent residency.

 Free Online Green Card Assessment

Another means of obtaining permanent residency, or a green card, is through the Diversity Lottery. This is an annual lottery-style selection process run by the State Department's National Visa Centre where qualifying entrants are selected from the lottery pool and invited to apply for permanent residence.

Naturalisation

A permanent resident is not automatically considered to be an American citizen. There are a number of requirements which must be met before a permanent resident can change their status to that of a citizen.

To obtain citizenship, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old (unless they are an exception to this rule and subject to a waiver);
• Have lawful permanent residence;
• Have resided continuously as a lawful permanent resident in America for at least 5 years prior to filing with absences from America totalling no more than 1 year;
• Be of good moral character;
• Be able to show he or she is attached to the principles of the American Constitution;
• Be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language, unless on the date of filing the applicant:
  • 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;
  • 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; or
  • Has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects the applicant's ability to learn English;
• Be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history and of the principles and form of government of America; and
• Take the oath of allegiance, swearing to:
  • Support the Constitution and obey the laws of America;
  • Renounce any foreign allegiance and/or foreign title; and
  • Bear arms for the Armed Forces of the America or perform services for the American government when required.

The spouse of an American citizen who has resided in America as a lawful permanent resident may apply for citizenship after 3 years if they are able to meet all physical presence and residence requirements.

 Free Online Green Card Assessment