Can I apply for citizenship after 4.5 years?

The basic rule is that you cannot submit your Form N-400 to apply for U.S.
U.S.
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citizenship (or apply to naturalize) until you have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least five years. That means exactly five years, to the day.
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Can I apply for U.S. citizenship after 4 years?

An applicant applying for naturalization under INA 316, which requires 5 years of continuous residence, must then wait at least 4 years and 1 day after returning to the United States (whenever 364 days or less of the absence remains within the statutory period), to have the requisite continuous residence to apply for ...
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Can a green card holder apply for citizenship after 4 years?

You may file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, 90 calendar days before you complete your permanent residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a: Permanent resident for at least 5 years; or. Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a US citizen.
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Can I apply for naturalization after 4 years and 9 months?

Permanent residents and visa holders who desire to become U.S. citizens must go through the process known as naturalization. One of the primary requirements for naturalization is to be a permanent resident (EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3) for at least four years and nine months.
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What is the 4 year 1 day rule for U.S. citizenship?

The 4 year 1 day rule mostly works as follows. Once you've broken continuous residency, a new period will begin to run on the first day you return to the U.S. Form the day you must stay in the U.S. for a minimum of 4 years and 1 day before you can apply for naturalization again.
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How long do I have to have a green card before becoming a US Citizen? (3 vs 5 years)



Can I stay on green card forever?

Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date, most are valid for 10 years. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years. It is important to keep your card up-to-date.
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Can I apply for citizenship 90 days before 5 years?

Filing Early

The 90-day early-filing rule: You may file your naturalization application with USCIS as early as 90 days before the end of your three- or five-year wait period as a green card holder — as long as you've met all other eligibility criteria.
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What is the three 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.
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How much will it cost to become a U.S. citizen in 2020?

What are the Citizenship by Naturalization fees? As of 10/14/2020, $725 is the current fee to become a U.S. citizen. This total includes a $640 fee for processing the Form N-400 and an $85 biometric services fee.
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Can I apply for citizenship after 3 years?

Who Qualifies For Citizenship? All green card holders, as long as they meet key conditions, can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (known as the “five-year rule”) — but those with a U.S. spouse and a green card through marriage can apply after only three years (known as the “three-year rule”).
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What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?

Be able to read, write, and speak basic English; Demonstrate good moral character; Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government; Demonstrate a loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and.
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How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen in 2021?

How Much Will It Cost To Become A U.S. Citizen? As of February 2021, the total application fee for naturalization is $725. This fee consists of the processing fee of $640 and the biometrics fee of $85. The USCIS does not refund these filing fees regardless of the outcome of the naturalization application.
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How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen in 2020?

The average processing time for citizenship (naturalization) applications is 8 months as of May 31, 2020. However, that's just how long it takes USCIS to process Form N-400. The entire naturalization process has several steps and takes an average of 15 months.
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What happens if your N-400 is denied?

The denial of N-400 does not automatically make your case ready for deportation. However, if USCIS officers find any fraud or other grounds making you ineligible to obtain permanent residence, you may face deportation proceedings. They may cancel your card and place you in immigration court.
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How many years of tax returns are required for citizenship?

Your tax returns are very important proof that you are eligible for naturalization. On the day of your interview, bring certified tax returns for the last 5 years (3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen).
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How long takes to get U.S. citizenship?

On average, it takes anywhere from 18 months to 24 months to complete the naturalization process and become a U.S. citizen. The naturalization process has 5 general steps; beginning with filing Form N-400 and ending with taking the Oath of Allegiance.
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Can you buy a citizenship?

Citizenship by Investment (CIP): These are programs where you can literally pay a fee (usually more than $100,000) or invest in property in exchange for full citizenship and a passport. Countries that fall into this bucket include Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, Cyprus, and Malta.
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Do I need a lawyer to become a U.S. citizen?

Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? No. You can file USCIS forms yourself, including Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, which can be submitted online. However, some people choose to seek assistance from a lawyer or Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)-accredited representative.
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Is it hard to become a U.S. citizen?

Becoming a U.S. citizen shouldn't be so hard, but it is due to the long processing time, financial and personal costs, and the fact that most immigrants do not have a direct relative that is a citizen of the United States. The requirements of USCIS are also very complex and may not be understandable to outsiders.
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Can I apply for citizenship after 5 years?

As a permanent resident, you are generally eligible for naturalization after five years. This is the most common way that people apply to become a U.S. citizen. To qualify, you must have lived in the U.S. continuously for the five years immediately preceding the date you file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
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Who gets a 10 year green card?

If you got your residency through your employer or your parent or adult child or brother or sister you will be issued the regular 10-year card. Also if you get residency through marriage and have been married more than two years at the time you are granted then you also will get the regular 10-year card.
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Can I apply for citizenship after 2 years green card?

In ordinary circumstances, green card holders must wait five years before applying to naturalize. Exceptions do exist, such as for the spouses of U.S. citizens, who can apply after three years if they have been married and living together all that time.
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How can I get my green card faster than 90 days?

There are several quick ways to achieve that goal.
  1. Marriage to U.S. Citizen. This is the fastest way to immigrate. ...
  2. Immigration through family reunification. ...
  3. Political Asylum in the USA. ...
  4. Immigration of extraordinary ability people. ...
  5. Investment immigration.
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Can I apply for citizenship while waiting for removal of conditions?

However, many conditional residents wonder whether or not they may pursue the Naturalization process while they have an I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, pending adjudication with the USCIS. The short answer is yes, they can!
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How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen?

The current naturalization fee for a U.S. citizenship application is $725. That total includes $640 for application processing and $85 for biometrics services, both of which are nonrefundable, regardless of whether the U.S. government approves or rejects an application.
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