Why is U.S. citizenship so hard to get?

Why Is It So Hard To Become A U.S. citizen? It is hard because of the long processing times, the financial and personal costs involved, and the fact that most immigrants do not have a direct relative that is a citizen of the United States.


Is the US the hardest country to get citizenship?

Austria, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States are five nations that make it especially difficult for foreigners to establish permanent residency or obtain citizenship.

What are the reasons to be denied US citizenship?

Citizenship Denial Reasons
  • Having a Criminal Record. ...
  • Failing to Provide Child Care and Support. ...
  • Failing to Pay Taxes. ...
  • Committing Fraud on Your Citizenship Application. ...
  • Not Meeting Physical Presence Requirements. ...
  • Failing Your English or Civics Test During the Interview Process. ...
  • Forgetting Selective Service Registration.


What are the hardest citizenships to get?

Getting dual citizenship – especially by naturalization – is rarely an easy task. But some countries make it more difficult than others.
...
The 17 hardest countries to get citizenship are:
  • Qatar.
  • Vatican City.
  • Liechtenstein.
  • Bhutan.
  • Saudi Arabia.
  • Kuwait.
  • Switzerland.
  • China.


Why is US citizenship taking so long?

Processing times for Form N-400 (officially called the “Application for Naturalization”) have increased significant between FY 2017 and FY 2022, with FY2021 processing times averaging 11 months. The spike in recent years is largely due to a naturalization application backlog.


How Hard Is It To Legally Enter The U.S.?



How often is citizenship denied?

Citizenship Denials and Delays. Even though the N-400 naturalization form is one of the least complicated aspects of immigration, a sizeable 10% of applicants find that they've been denied citizenship each year.

How long is citizenship process 2022?

At a Glance: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is about 8 to 12 months. Keep track of your naturalization application on the USCIS website and stay in touch with your immigration lawyer for any advice.

Who Cannot get US citizenship?

You have been convicted of or admitted to a crime involving moral turpitude, such as fraud. You spent 180 days or more in jail or prison for any crime. You committed any crime related to illegal drugs other than a single offense involving 30 grams or less of marijuana.


What is the rarest citizenship in the world?

According to the Independent, the Catholic order, which had its sovereignty recognized by Pope Paschal in 1113, is home to the world's rarest passport. In fact, only 500 of these passports are in circulation around the globe right now, according to the Order.

Which country is easiest to get US citizenship?

Italian citizenship by descent is one of the easiest to obtain. You may be eligible for citizenship if you have Italian heritage. To acquire citizenship, you must have an ancestor who was a citizen of Italy on March 17th, 1861 or was born in the country after that.

Can I lose my green card if my citizenship is denied?

Ordinarily, denial of U.S. citizenship leaves the person with permanent residence, but there's a risk of green card cancellation and deportation.


How many people fail the US citizenship interview?

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 96.1% of all applicants pass the naturalization test.

Why do people fail citizenship interviews?

The first most common reason for a naturalization denial is failing the Civics and English component of the test at the interview. Although the Civics and English component of the test seems easy enough, failing the exam is more common than you think.

What is the fastest way to become a U.S. citizen?

The fastest way to become a U.S. citizen is to be born in the United States. How long do you have to live in the US to become a citizen? You may qualify for naturalization and become a U.S. citizen if you have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years. 3 years in case you are married to a U.S. citizen.


Is there a faster way to become a U.S. citizen?

There are several routes to becoming a citizen in the United States, but by far, the fastest is to become naturalized by marriage. Expedited naturalization by marriage requires you to live in the United States with your citizen spouse for three years.

How powerful is American citizenship?

The Rights of a U.S. Citizen After Naturalization. You cannot be deported to your country of former citizenship or nationality. You'll have just as much right as any other American to live and work in the United States. Even if you're charged with a crime in the future, you'll be able to stay in the United States.

What do you call a person with no citizenship?

A stateless person is someone who, under national laws, does not enjoy citizenship – the legal bond between a government and an individual – in any country.


Can a US citizen be a triple citizen?

Yes, the U.S. does allow for triple citizenship and does not require naturalized U.S. citizens to give up citizenship in their home country or other countries.

Does US allow dual citizenship?

Dual Citizenship or Nationality

Dual citizenship (or dual nationality) means a person may be a citizen of the United States and another country at the same time. U.S. law does not require a person to choose one citizenship or another.

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

Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the time you file the application;
  • Have been a lawful permanent resident for the past three or five years (depending on which naturalization category you are applying under);
  • Have continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;


What is the 3 year rule for citizenship?

3 Years of Continuous Residence. The spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States must have continuously resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance.

How long is the wait for U.S. citizenship?

Total time to naturalize: 18.5 months to 24 months

Completing your application right the first time — and getting started on the process as early as possible — is also crucial to a successful naturalization process.

Will USCIS speed up in 2023?

USCIS will increase capacity, improve technology, and expand staffing to achieve these new goals by the end of FY 2023. Currently, the agency's publicly posted processing times show the amount of time it took USCIS to complete 80% of adjudicated cases over the past six months.


What are the most common U.S. citizenship questions?

Below are some examples of questions USCIS may ask during your naturalization interview.
...
Your Immigration Status
  • Which country or countries are you a citizen of?
  • When did USCIS approve your green card?
  • How long have you been a U.S. permanent resident?


Can I travel while waiting for citizenship?

You may travel to another country, including your home country, provided no other legal impediment precludes you from doing so. However, if a trip lasts longer than 180 days, USCIS may determine that you have not continuously resided in the United States and therefore are ineligible for naturalization.