Do you have to live in the US for 10 years to become a citizen?

No, you generally don't have to live in the U.S. for 10 years; the standard requirement for lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) to apply for citizenship through naturalization is 5 years, or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen, with specific continuous residence and physical presence rules. You must meet other criteria, including being at least 18, having good moral character, and passing English/civics tests, but 10 years isn't the typical benchmark.

How long do you need to live in the US to gain citizenship?

To become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, you generally need to be a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) for 5 years, or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen, meeting continuous residence, physical presence, and good moral character requirements, along with English and civics knowledge tests. 

What is the 10 year rule for citizenship?

After 10 years spent living in the United States, undocumented immigrants can apply for a so-called "10-year green card," but only if they are in removal (deportation) proceedings before an immigration court judge.

What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?

To become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, the five main requirements are being at least 18, having permanent residency for 3-5 years, demonstrating good moral character, passing English and U.S. civics tests, and taking the Oath of Allegiance, with other rules like continuous residency and physical presence also applying. 

Can I get U.S. citizenship without living there?

Generally, to qualify for citizenship, you must demonstrate that you have continuously resided in the United States for at least 5 years before submitting Form N-400. This means you must be residing exclusively in the United States – not in any other country.

Every Way To Become A United States Citizen

What is the 3-3-3 rule for citizenship?

Your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for the entire three years leading up to your application. Even if you were married, time before they became a citizen doesn't count toward the three years. You must have your permanent resident status for three years before you can apply for citizenship through marriage.

What are the 4 types of citizenship?

The four common types of citizenship acquisition are By Birth (born in the country, jus soli), By Descent (born to citizen parents, jus sanguinis), By Naturalization (a formal legal process for foreigners), and By Marriage (granted to spouses of citizens), though other routes like registration, adoption, or investment also exist. These methods define how individuals gain legal status, rights, and responsibilities within a nation.
 

What disqualifies you from U.S. citizenship?

You can be disqualified from U.S. citizenship for serious crimes (murder, aggravated felonies), failing to show "good moral character" (dishonesty, drug use, certain criminal acts), not meeting residency/physical presence, failing English/civics tests (unless medically exempt), not registering for selective service (if applicable), or misrepresenting information on applications. Major disqualifiers include convictions for murder or aggravated felonies, while lesser offenses require a waiting period to prove good moral character, notes this article from Rivas & Associates. 

What is the fastest way to get U.S. citizenship?

The fastest ways to get U.S. citizenship involve joining the U.S. Military, which can allow filing for naturalization immediately, or marrying a U.S. Citizen, which shortens the permanent residency (Green Card) waiting period for naturalization to three years instead of the standard five, with some reporting eligibility to file at 2 years and 9 months. Both routes still require you to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) first and meet other requirements like continuous residence and good moral character, but they significantly reduce the time needed to apply for naturalization (Form N-400). 

What is the new law for citizenship 2025?

While no sweeping "new law for citizenship 2025" has passed, significant proposed legislation (like the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 and Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025) and major regulatory changes by USCIS (new civics test, stricter character review) are dominating discussions and affecting the citizenship process, with legal challenges to executive actions on birthright citizenship underway.
 

What is the 10 year law in the US?

Cancellation of Removal is only available for someone who has been in the US for at least 10 years prior to a removal action being filed with the Immigration Court. Also, the immigrant must show good moral character without a serious criminal or immigration history.

How long after a green card can I get citizenship?

You can generally apply for U.S. citizenship (naturalize) after 5 years as a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), but you can apply sooner, after 3 years, if you're married to and living with a U.S. citizen, and you must meet continuous residence and physical presence requirements for either timeframe. You can file your application (Form N-400) up to 90 days before reaching the 5-year or 3-year mark, but you must meet all other criteria, including being of good moral character and demonstrating basic English/civics knowledge. 

At what age do you stop taking the citizenship test?

For U.S. citizenship, age exemptions simplify testing: the 65/20 Rule (age 65+ & 20+ yrs LPR) gets a simplified civics test in their language; while the 50/20 Rule (age 50+ & 20+ yrs LPR) and 55/15 Rule (age 55+ & 15+ yrs LPR) exempt you from the English test, letting you take civics in your native language with an interpreter. These are based on your age and time as a Lawful Permanent Resident when you file your application (Form N-400). 

Can I be denied naturalization?

USCIS requires applicants to demonstrate good moral character (GMC) during the statutory period—generally five years before filing (three years if married to a U.S. citizen). Certain criminal offenses can lead to a determination of poor moral character, resulting in denial.

Why are so many immigrants undocumented?

Many immigrants are undocumented due to a combination of factors, primarily the desire for economic opportunity in the U.S., an outdated and restrictive legal immigration system that offers few pathways for low-skilled workers, and push factors in their home countries like violence, instability, and poverty, alongside significant barriers (cost, language, logistics) to obtaining visas or legal status, leading many to overstay visas or cross borders without authorization. 

Can I get U.S. citizenship in 3 years?

Yes, you can become a U.S. citizen after 3 years as a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) if you are married to a U.S. citizen, provided you meet specific criteria like continuous residence in the U.S. for those three years, living in marital union with your citizen spouse for that time, and proving good moral character, with the ability to file Form N-400 up to 90 days before the 3-year mark. 

How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen?

Application Fees for Citizenship Range from $380-$760

If you file a paper application (form N-400) your cost will be $760. If you file an online application the fee is reduced by $50 and you will pay $710. If you qualify for a reduced fee, then you can expect to pay $380.

Why is it so difficult to get citizenship in the US?

It's hard to become a U.S. citizen due to complex, lengthy processes involving visa backlogs, strict eligibility (residency, English, civics), background checks for "good moral character," and extensive documentation, with recent policy changes potentially adding more scrutiny, making it a multi-year journey even for legal permanent residents. The main hurdles are the long waits for green cards (sometimes decades for family-based), proving continuous lawful residency, and meeting specific requirements like passing English and civics tests. 

What is the easiest citizenship to get as an American?

Easy Countries To Get Citizenship by Descent

1. Italy Citizenship by Descent. Italian citizenship by descent is one of the easiest to obtain. ...
2. Poland Citizenship by Descent. Similar to Italy, Poland citizenship by descent also requires you to have an ancestor born in the country post-1900. ...
3. Hungary Citizenship by Descent.

Who cannot become a U.S. citizen?

Criminal Record.

You cannot establish that you are a person of good moral character if you have been convicted of murder, at any time, or of any other aggravated felony, if you were convicted on or after November 29, 1990. Other offenses may be temporary bars to naturalization.

Why do people fail citizenship interviews?

If your English isn't very strong, they will ask you for definitions. They want to make sure you understand what you are saying yes and no to. If you answer “no” to the question, have you ever committed Genocide and you don't know what “Genocide” means, you won't pass the interview.

How far back does a background check go for citizenship?

Usually this is the five years before you applied, or three years if you're applying for citizenship on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen. You will also need to give a statement under oath about any criminal background you have in the period of good moral character.

What is the hardest citizenship to get?

The hardest countries to get citizenship often include Qatar, Vatican City, North Korea, China, Bhutan, and Saudi Arabia, due to extremely long residency requirements (like 25 years for Qatar), strict cultural assimilation (Arabic, Islam), lack of dual nationality, or near-total restrictions on non-birthright entry, making them highly exclusive. These nations prioritize very few naturalizations, often tied to unique political, social, or demographic factors. 

Can you have dual citizenship?

Yes, you can have dual citizenship (or dual nationality) in many countries, including the U.S., meaning you're a citizen of two nations at once, but it depends on the laws of both countries involved. While the U.S. recognizes dual nationality and doesn't force citizens to choose, you'll owe allegiance and must obey the laws of both countries, potentially facing military obligations or limited consular help from the U.S. in the other nation.
 

What documents do you need for citizenship?

A citizenship document checklist generally includes your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), valid and expired passports, state ID, birth certificate (with translations if needed), marriage/divorce/death certificates (for marital history), IRS tax records (past 3-5 years), and proof of U.S. residency (pay stubs, leases). You'll also need specific forms like N-400, photos, and potentially military records (Form N-426) or Selective Service info, plus fees for your application.