Green card through your family. A family member in the United States can sponsor you. If your family member is a U. S. citizen, then they can sponsor their spouse, unmarried children under twenty-one years of age, and parents. They can also sponsor siblings, married children, and unmarried children over twenty-one years of age. Green card through your job. If you have an offer of permanent employment, you are eligible to petition to get a green card. Others with exceptional ability can petition themselves and don’t need an employer to sponsor them. [2] X Trustworthy Source US Citizenship and Immigration Services U. S. government agency in charge of the naturalization and immigration systems Go to source Green card as a refugee or asylum seeker. Refugees and asylum seekers in the United States for one year may petition for a green card.
You must have been lawfully admitted into the U. S. You must demonstrate continuous residence in the U. S. for at least five years immediately before you file for naturalization. For example, if you want to apply in January 2018, you must have been a resident since January 2013. You must have been physically present in the U. S. for at least thirty months during those five years. You must prove you have lived for at least three months in the state or USCIS district where you apply.
You must be at least eighteen years old when you file your application to become naturalized. You should be able to speak, write, and read in English. You will have to pass an exam to demonstrate your proficiency in the language. You must be a person of good moral character. Essentially, this means you are an upstanding member of society who works, pays their taxes, and doesn’t break the law. [5] X Research source
You will have to submit supporting documents along with your application. Read the instructions to find out what to supply. For example, you must supply a copy of your permanent resident card. As of June 2017, the filing fee is $640. You also need to pay a biometric service fee of $85. Make your check or money order payable to “U. S. Department of Homeland Security. ” Don’t use other initials. To find out where to file, call 1-800-375-5283.
Your fingerprints will be sent to the FBI for a background check. Make sure to pick up your study booklet to prepare for your English and civics tests.
Think about attending an English or citizenship preparation class. To find your nearest class, visit this website: https://my. uscis. gov/findaclass. You can also take practice civics tests, which are available online. [8] X Research source
Gather required documents ahead of time. A checklist should be sent to you (Form 477). [10] X Research source
At the end of the ceremony, you will receive your certificate of naturalization. [11] X Research source
If you’re already living in the U. S. after entering legally, then you can adjust your status at the same time. Complete and submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residency or Adjust Status. Your spouse can submit this form along with Form I-130. If you’re currently living outside the U. S. , then you’ll need to wait for your visa to be approved. You’ll attend an interview at the nearest embassy or consulate. [12] X Research source Once admitted into the U. S. , you can adjust your status by filing Form I-485.
Where did you meet your spouse? How many people attended your wedding? Who does the cooking and who pays the bills? What did you do for your spouse’s birthday? What forms of birth control do you use?
You must have been a green card holder for the three years immediately before you apply for naturalization. You must have been a continuous resident for the three years before you apply and have been physically present in the U. S. for at least eighteen months. You must have lived in a marriage with your U. S. citizen spouse during the three years. Your spouse must have been a citizen during the entire time. You must have lived within the state or USCIS district for at least three months before you file your application.
You must be at least eighteen years of age. You must be able to write, read, and speak English. You need to be a person of good moral character. Generally, this means you haven’t broken a serious law and that you meet your legal obligations, such as paying taxes and child support. [16] X Research source You must have entered the country legally. For example, you can’t be in the United States illegally and get citizenship simply because you married a citizen.
Read the instructions to find out what documents you must submit along with your application. Make payment to “U. S. Department of Homeland Security. ” As of June 2017, the filing fee is $640 and the biometric fee is $85. You can pay using money order or check.
Several practice civics tests are available here: https://my. uscis. gov/prep/test/civics.
The parent also must have spent at least two of those years in a state/territory after they were aged fourteen. [20] X Trustworthy Source US Citizenship and Immigration Services U. S. government agency in charge of the naturalization and immigration systems Go to source The child must have been born on or after November 14, 1986. There are some other circumstances, which you can read about at the USCIS website.
The mother is a U. S. citizen at the time of birth and the mother has been physically present in the U. S. or an outlying territory for at least one year. The genetic father is a U. S. citizen at the time of birth. The child’s mother can be an alien. However, you must prove with clear and convincing evidence that the father is the child’s biological father, and he must agree in writing to provide financial support for the child until they are eighteen years of age. The father also must have been living in the United States for a certain amount of time.
One parent must be a U. S. citizen. The child must be under eighteen years of age. The child should reside in the United States. The parent who is the U. S. citizen must have legal and physical custody of the child. If the child was born before February 27, 2001, then different requirements apply.
The parents adopted the child before the child’s sixteenth birthday and reside with the child in the U. S. for at least two years. Alternately, the child was admitted into the U. S. as an orphan (IR-3) or Convention adoptee (IH-3) and the adoption was completed outside the U. S. The child must have been adopted before their eighteenth birthday. The child was admitted into the country as an orphan (IR-4) or Convention adoptee (IH-4) who arrived to be adopted. The child must have been adopted before their eighteenth birthday.
You’ll have to pass exams in both English and civics. You can find information about the exams online.
Serve honorably for at least one year. Obtain a green card. File an application while still in service or within six months of separation.
USCIS has customer service specialists who can answer questions from military members and their families. Call 1-877-247-4645 Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. You can also email militaryinfo. nsc@dhs. gov.
