Can I apply for citizenship after 4 years and 6 months?

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 ...

Can you apply for U.S. citizenship after 4.5 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.

Can I apply for U.S. citizenship after 4 years and 9 months?

Being a permanent resident for at least 4 years and 9 months prior to applying for naturalization. Permanent residents and visa holders who desire to become U.S. citizens must go through the process known as naturalization.

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.

How long before 5 years can I apply for citizenship?

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.

How long do I have to have a green card before becoming a US Citizen? (3 vs 5 years)

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”).

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.

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.

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.

How long do you have to be in the US before applying for citizenship?

To apply for U.S. citizenship, you must have physically lived in the United States for at least half of five years (more specifically, 913 days, or roughly 2.5 years) or at least half of three years (more specifically, 548 days, or a little over 1.5 years) if you're married to a U.S. citizen.

What's the earliest you can apply for citizenship after green card?

If you're a green card holder with no special circumstances, you can apply for U.S. citizenship at least five years after obtaining your green card. You also must have physically lived in the United States for at least 30 months (two-and-a-half years) out of those five years.

Can I apply for citizenship after 4 years of residency?

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 ...

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.

Can I apply for citizenship 90 days before 5 years?

You may file Form N-400 ninety (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 U.S. citizen.

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.

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen in 2021?

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen? The national average processing time for naturalization (citizenship) applications is 14 months, as of April 2022. But that's just the application processing wait time (see “Understanding USCIS Processing Times” below).

Can a green card holder apply for citizenship before 5 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.

How hard is it 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.

Why does it take so long to become a U.S. citizen?

Why Does Getting U.S. Citizenship Take So Long? The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives many applications each year and takes time to review each one carefully. Because of the high scrutiny they have for each application, it can take many months before they finally get to yours.

Can I divorce after getting a 10-year green card?

Divorce After Receiving a 10-Year Green Card

Typically, USCIS doesn't care too much if you divorce after you receive a 10-year green card. This is your permanent green card, and it's what you're required to have if you choose to apply for United States citizenship.

Can green card be revoked after 5 years?

Basically under 8 U.S.C. Section 1256(a), the USCIS CANNOT take away or rescind someone's green card after five years. This statute is very important for green card holders who are in removal, and creative lawyering as well as reliance on that statute could very well save people from losing their green cards.

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.

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.

How much does it cost in total to apply for citizenship?

$640. (Add the $85 biometric fee for a total of $725, where applicable. See exceptions below.) If you file your Form N-400 online, you may pay your fee online.

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!