IMMINCARE is a d/b/a name of John Chung Law LLC. All services, including consultations, are performed by licensed U.S. attorneys at our U.S. offices.
The information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Naturalization
Eligibility Requirements
Except in cases where citizenship is derived from parents, U.S. citizenship is only available to lawful permanent residents who are at least 18 years old. Applicants become eligible for citizenship after maintaining permanent resident status for either three years (if the green card was obtained through marriage) or five years (if obtained through employment or other methods). During this period, applicants must satisfy both continuous residence and physical presence requirements.
Continuous residence refers to maintaining uninterrupted residence in the United States as a lawful permanent resident. To satisfy this requirement, applicants must avoid any single trip outside the U.S. lasting 180 days or more until the naturalization process is complete.
The physical presence requirement means that applicants must have physically resided within the United States for at least half of the required residency period (18 months for the 3-year requirement, or 30 months for the 5-year requirement) before applying for citizenship.
Therefore, individuals intending to apply for U.S. citizenship should be particularly mindful of the length of their stays abroad.
Additionally, having a criminal record involving DUI, drug offenses, or other crimes can significantly complicate citizenship eligibility and even jeopardize permanent resident status. In such cases, consulting an immigration attorney is essential.
Naturalization Interview and Oath Ceremony
Point 1.
Citizenship interviews generally take place in a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere compared to green card interviews. However, if the officer suspects any past unlawful actions during the initial green card process, it could not only result in the denial of the citizenship application but also jeopardize your existing permanent resident status. Therefore, careful preparation and caution are essential.
Point 2.
During the citizenship interview, applicants will be tested on their basic knowledge of U.S. history and government through a civics test, along with simple English speaking and writing tests. However, these tests may be waived or simplified depending on the applicant’s age and duration of permanent residency in the U.S., so it is advisable to check eligibility for any exemptions in advance.
Point 3.
After successfully passing the interview, the naturalization process concludes with an oath ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, applicants receive their Certificate of Naturalization and surrender their green card, officially becoming U.S. citizens.
The oath ceremony usually takes place on the same day as your interview; however, depending on your state of residence or USCIS scheduling, it may be conducted at a later date.
For complex naturalization cases, consult an experienced immigration attorney
The naturalization process is generally more straightforward than obtaining a green card, However, complications such as prior criminal records, delayed interview outcomes, or cases involving out-of-wedlock birth, adoption, or derivative citizenship require careful legal review. Schedule a consultation with us for expert guidance.
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