Someone born in the United States would be a natural-born citizen. An immigrant does not have this immediate option. Many people who immigrate to the U.S. hope to become citizens through a naturalization process.
If applicants desire to do this, they must fulfill certain eligibility requirements. For starters, an immigrant must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. Here’s what you should know:
Physical location of a naturalization applicant
An immigrant must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years before you may naturalize. They must have spent at least 30 months physically residing in the United States throughout the course of that five-year period.
Even if they went overseas during those five years, an immigrant’s primary home must have been in the United States the whole time. The process could be disrupted, however, if an immigrant was absent for six months to a year.
It is required that an immigrant has lived in the district or state where they submitted their application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for at least three months.
Moral character of a naturalization applicant
To naturalize as a citizen, an immigrant must be morally upright. English reading, speaking and writing proficiency are often required. They must demonstrate that they can uphold the ideals set out in the United States Constitution. They also require a fundamental knowledge of American history and civics.
After passing all of the exams and interviews required to become a citizen, an immigrant may participate in a ceremony when they swear allegiance to the United States.
It’s essential to check that everything is prepared for the naturalization process. Immigrants seeking naturalization may benefit from learning about their legal rights.