All green card holders, as long as they meet key conditions, can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (known as the “five-year rule”) — but those with a U.S. spouse and a green card through marriage can apply after only three years (known as the “three-year rule”).
How long does it take to get citizenship after green card?
Currently, it takes about six months to a year to get U.S. citizenship from the time you apply. The process starts when you first get your green card, but there’s no accurate way to tell how long each application will take. Your unique circumstances will determine your application status.
Can I apply for citizenship after 2 years green card?
Fortunately, for people who have spent two years as a conditional resident, those two years count as permanent residence when it comes to applying for citizenship—on one condition. You must have successfully become a permanent resident at the end of them.
Can I apply for U.S. citizenship after 3 years of marriage?
As a permanent resident who is married to a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible for naturalization after just three years. … To qualify, you must have lived in the U.S. continuously for the three years immediately preceding the date you file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Can I apply for citizenship after 4 years of green card?
An applicant applying for naturalization under INA 316, which requires 5 years of continuous residence, must then wait at least 4 years and 1 day after returning to the United States (whenever 364 days or less of the absence remains within the statutory period), to have the requisite continuous residence to apply for …
How long does it take to get citizenship 2021?
The national average processing time for naturalization (citizenship) applications is 14.5 months, as of June, 2021. But that’s just the application processing wait time (see “Understanding USCIS Processing Times” below). The overall naturalization process involves more steps and a longer citizenship timeline.
What is the fastest way to get U.S. citizenship?
Expedited Naturalization by Marriage
- Hold a green card for three years;
- Be married to and living with your US citizen spouse for three years;
- Live within the state that you’re applying in for three months; and.
- Meet all other requirements for US citizenship.
Can I apply for U.S. citizenship after 3 years of green card?
All green card holders, as long as they meet key conditions, can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (known as the “five-year rule”) — but those with a U.S. spouse and a green card through marriage can apply after only three years (known as the “three-year rule”).
Can a green card holder apply for citizenship before 5 years?
You may file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, 90 calendar days before you complete your permanent residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a: Permanent resident for at least 5 years; or. Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a US citizen.
What is the 4 year 1 day rule for U.S. citizenship?
The 4 year 1 day rule mostly works as follows. Once you’ve broken continuous residency, a new period will begin to run on the first day you return to the U.S. Form the day you must stay in the U.S. for a minimum of 4 years and 1 day before you can apply for naturalization again.
Can I lose my citizenship if I divorce?
Divorce Makes Applicants Ineligible to Apply for Citizenship in Three Rather Than Five Years. If you were hoping to get early citizenship after three years as the spouse of a U.S. citizen, understand that divorce will end that possibility.
How long does it take to get a green card after marriage 2021?
The current total wait time for a marriage-based green card ranges between 9 to 36 months, depending on whether you are married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder and where you currently live (not including possible delays).
Is having a green card the same as citizenship?
Green card holders can in theory stay in the U.S. indefinitely, but it’s not as secure a status as U.S. citizenship. The terms “permanent resident” and “U.S. citizen” are often confused with one another.
How long can a green card holder stay out of the country 2021?
International Travel
U.S. Immigration law assumes that a person admitted to the United States as an immigrant will live in the United States permanently. Remaining outside the United States for more than 12 months may result in a loss of lawful permanent resident status.
How long can a green card holder stay outside the United States 2021?
If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), you may leave the U.S. multiple times and reenter, as long as you do not intend to stay outside the U.S. for 1 year or more. This 1-year rule creates a rebuttable presumption that you intended to abandon your residency.
How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen in 2021?
How Much Will It Cost To Become A U.S. Citizen? As of February 2021, the total application fee for naturalization is $725. This fee consists of the processing fee of $640 and the biometrics fee of $85. The USCIS does not refund these filing fees regardless of the outcome of the naturalization application.