Who gets denied U.S. citizenship?

U.S. citizenship is denied to applicants who fail to meet eligibility, lack "good moral character" (due to crimes, fraud, or dishonesty), don't pass English/Civics tests, or misrepresent information, with common issues including criminal records, missed residency/physical presence, unpaid taxes/support, failing tests, or lying on applications, leading to rejection or even green card issues.

What disqualifies you from getting citizenship?

Permanent Bars Based on Criminal Convictions

You will be permanently barred from obtaining U.S. citizenship if you have been convicted of murder or of an aggravated felony if the conviction was issued on or after November 29, 1990.

How many people get denied U.S. citizenship?

On average, around 10% to 12% of naturalization applications are denied annually by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For example, in recent years, out of approximately 850,000 to 900,000 applications received each year, about 80,000 to 100,000 applicants have been denied.

Is it possible to be denied citizenship?

This could be due to insufficient evidence, failing to satisfy the good character requirement, or not meeting other eligibility criteria. A rejection, on the other hand, means that no substantive consideration of your citizenship application has taken place.

Why do people fail citizenship interviews?

Failing the English and Civics Tests

One of the most common reasons for Form N-400 denial is failing the required English language and U.S. civics tests. These tests assess your ability to read, write, and speak basic English, as well as your knowledge of U.S. history and government.

Nigerian DENIED UK Citizenship For 32 YEARS!

On what grounds can citizenship be denied?

The most common reasons for citizenship denial include criminal record issues affecting good moral character, continuous residence breaks from long trips abroad, physical presence shortfalls, unpaid taxes or child support, selective service non-registration, and misrepresentation on naturalization applications.

How hard is it to pass a citizenship interview?

The 2025 naturalization civics test is an oral test consisting of 20 questions from the list of 128 civics test questions. You must answer 12 questions correctly to pass the 2025 test. You will fail the test if you answer 9 of the 20 questions incorrectly.

Why would people be rejected for citizenship in the United States?

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. 

Can you reapply for citizenship if denied?

Yes, you can almost always reapply for U.S. citizenship after a denial, but you must address the reason for the denial first, whether by waiting for time to pass (like for good moral character issues or residency) or by fixing the problem (like studying for tests), and you'll need to pay fees and start the process over. The best time to reapply depends heavily on the specific reason for the initial denial, and consulting an immigration lawyer is highly recommended to strategize your next steps, which could also include appealing the decision. 

What happens if citizenship is refused?

If your U.S. citizenship application is denied by USCIS, you have options, primarily filing an administrative appeal (Form N-336) within 30 days for a new hearing with a different officer, or potentially appealing to Federal Court if the appeal fails, but you generally remain a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) unless fraud was involved, in which case your Green Card could be at risk. 

What is the hardest citizenship to get?

The hardest countries for citizenship often involve extremely long residency (like Qatar's 25 years, Liechtenstein/San Marino's 30 years) with strict conditions (Arabic, Islam for Qatar; local votes for Liechtenstein), while some nations like Vatican City have near-impossible conditions (religious/diplomatic roles). Bhutan, the Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait), and sometimes Switzerland and China are also cited due to high barriers, limited paths, or cultural integration demands, making them very difficult. 

How many immigrants fail the citizenship test?

Applicants who fail 1 or both test components will have a second opportunity to pass both portions of the test, called a re-exam. The diagram below shows that 95.7% of all applicants pass the naturalization test.

Which US state is most welcoming to immigrants?

California, Oregon, Illinois, New Jersey, and Washington are consistently ranked as the most immigrant-friendly states due to strong protections, access to services like driver's licenses, and limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, though friendliness can vary by city and specific policies. Other states like New York, Maryland, Colorado, and Connecticut also offer significant welcome and support for immigrant communities. 

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 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 three ways of losing citizenship?

Residing abroad on a permanent basis. Serving in a foreign military or foreign government. Failure to reaffirm one's citizenship by a certain age (often an age between 18 and 30 years old) Failure to revoke other citizenships by a certain age (e.g. 22 years old in the case of Japan)

Will I lose my green card if I get denied citizenship?

Even if your US citizenship application is denied, your Green Card usually remains valid. Denials due to failing the English or History test, applying too early, or not meeting residency requirements typically do not affect your permanent resident status.

What is the denial rate for citizenship?

Citizenship Denial Rate

A common question immigration attorneys face is: How many immigrants get denied citizenship each year? In 2024, the answer was 10.58%, with approximately 86,000 applicants denied US citizenship.

How many times can I apply for U.S. citizenship?

You can apply for U.S. citizenship (naturalization) as many times as you need to, as there's no limit on applications, but you must re-submit Form N-400 and pay the fee each time, and resolve any issues that led to denial, like failing tests or lacking good moral character, before reapplying. You get two chances to pass the English and civics tests, with a retest offered within 60-90 days if you fail the first time. 

What to do if U.S. citizenship is denied?

You will need to pay a filing fee with Form N-336, which costs several hundred dollars. Once you file Form N-336, USCIS will schedule a hearing within 180 days. A USCIS officer who is different from the officer who denied the original application will review the application and the related administrative record.

How many immigrants are denied citizenship each year?

Each year, tens of thousands of U.S. citizenship (naturalization) applications are denied, with recent figures showing around 86,000 to over 100,000 denials annually, translating to roughly a 10-13% denial rate, though this fluctuates with factors like increased applicant volume or policy changes. Common reasons for denial include failing English/civics tests, character issues, insufficient residency proof, or paperwork errors, with denials spiking to over 100,000 in FY 2022/2023 before slightly decreasing in FY 2023. 

What is the hardest part of becoming a U.S. citizen?

There are common challenges that many people face during the naturalization process.

• Language difficulties. ...
• Money issues. ...
• Complicated paperwork. ...
• Waiting a long time. ...
• Adjusting to a new culture. ...
• Limited information.

What is the hardest question on the citizenship interview?

Arguably the hardest question on the U.S. citizenship test is number 67: The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. This answer is unknown to even most American citizens because the Federalist Party ceased to exist back in 1824.

What is the new law for citizenship in 2025?

In 2025, new U.S. citizenship laws focus on a revamped civics test with more questions, stricter "good moral character" (GMC) reviews including community involvement, and potential legislation like the "Exclusive Citizenship Act" targeting dual nationality, alongside changes to fee payments. The new civics test, effective for applications filed after Oct 20, 2025, expands the question pool to 128, with applicants answering 20 questions and needing 12 correct, while GMC reviews now consider positive contributions beyond just a clean record.