If you already have a permanent resident card (green card), you can wait until you can apply for US citizenship through the naturalization process. Certain naturalization requirements may be changed or waived for certain applicants, including US military personnel, and for spouses and children of American citizens.
Generally, the basic requirements for obtaining US citizenship are as follows:
• Be a legal permanent resident with a green card.
• Have uninterrupted residence for a specified period of time (usually 5 years) without leaving the United States for travel of 6 months or more. This time is reduced to 3 years for spouses of US citizens who have been married for at least 3 years and the spouse has been a US citizen for at least 3 years.
• Period of (non-permanent) physical presence in the United States, usually 30 months. The time is reduced to 18 months for spouses of US citizens who have been married for at least 3 years and the spouse has been a US citizen for at least 3 years.
• Be over 18 years of age.
• Have good moral character and a favorable attitude towards the United States.
• Know the principles of the US Constitution, history, and the US government.
• Pass the test for US citizenship. People aged 50 and over with a total permanent resident of 15 years or more can take the citizenship test in the language of their choice. People aged 65 and over with a total residency of 20 years can go through a simplified and reduced version in the language of their choice.
• Ability to read, write and speak English, with the exception of people 55 and older who have been a permanent resident for at least 15 years; or he is 50 years old and has lived for at least 20 years; or has a physical or mental impairment that prevents him from complying with this requirement.
• If you are a male and entered the United States as a resident between the ages of 18 and 25, you generally must be registered with the Arm Forces Selective Service System.
The basic requirements for US citizenship also include specific naturalization requirements. There are two basic rules for living. Each applicant must understand them well when applying for naturalization.
1) Continuous residence.
To be eligible to apply for citizenship, you need to have a permanent green card for 5 years. If you received a green card as a result of marriage and are still married, you can apply for naturalization after you have held a green card for at least 3 years without leaving the US for a travel of 6 months or more. , but if you received a green card as a result of marriage and now you are divorced, then you need to wait for a green card for the usual period of 5 years, without leaving the United States for travel for 6 months or more.
2) Physical presence.
In addition to the continuous residency requirement, to be eligible for naturalization, you must be physically present in the United States, typically for 30 months (2 and a half years) or 18 months (1.5 years) for married people. with a US citizen for at least 3 years and a US citizen for at least 3 years. The difference between physical presence and permanent residency is that physical presence does not have to be continuous, it is simply the total amount of time you have been in the country, including the time of entry and exit before and after trips that you have made outside the United States. but uninterrupted residency must be uninterrupted and may be interrupted if you have been outside the United States for 6 months or longer.
Certain naturalization requirements may be changed or waived for certain applicants, including a spouse of a U.S. citizen currently working abroad, with one of the following conditions:
- US military or US government
- Recognized religious organizations in the United States
- US Research Institutes
- American firms involved in the development of US foreign trade and commerce.
- A designated public international organization with the participation of the United States.
