“The central tenet of Biden’s plan is the pathway to citizenship.” Click here to read more.

For those who are foreign nationals who have been living within the United States, being granted legal status as a citizen can be very exciting. Of course, however, the process of citizenship and naturalization is often complex and difficult to navigate on one’s own. At the office of the Illinois Immigration Law Group, our experienced citizenship and naturalization lawyers can help. Call us today if you have questions about citizenship or naturalization.

Citizenship Through Naturalization

Becoming a citizen in the United States happens through naturalization for those who are foreign citizens. A person may qualify for citizenship through naturalization, according to the website of U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) if:

• They have been a permanent resident in the United States for at least five years prior to filing the application for naturalization; or
• They have been a permanent resident in the United States for at least three years and are the spouse of a U.S. citizen; or
• They have served in the U.S. armed forces; and
• They meet all other eligibility requirements.

A child may also qualify for citizenship through naturalization if the child was born outside of the United States and is currently residing outside of the United States, but the child’s parent is a U.S. citizen.

The Process of Applying for Citizenship Through Naturalization

After determining whether or not you are eligible to become a citizen, the first step in applying for citizenship through naturalization is to file a Form N-400 – Application for Naturalization. When preparing your form, you’ll also need to get required documents in order, including two passport-style photos.

After you submit your application and pay your filing fees, you’ll head to your biometrics appointment for fingerprinting. Then, you’ll complete your scheduled interview.

It is during your naturalization interview that you will take the naturalization test. The naturalization test is comprised of both an English and civics test–the latter of which has 100 questions. There will be a speaking test, a reading test, and a writing test as part of the English test.

Once the interview and testing are completed, you’ll receive a decision from USCIS. If the request for naturalization is granted, then you will be asked to take the oath of allegiance at your naturalization ceremony.

Help with the Process

Obviously, naturalization isn’t always granted, and the application process may be filled with hurdles. If your application is denied or if you want to improve your chances of your application being approved the first time that you apply, working with an immigration attorney is strongly recommended.

Call the Illinois Immigration Law Group Today

To learn more about the Illinois Immigration Law Group and the process of becoming a citizen through naturalization, please call us directly today to request a free consultation. Our lawyers are very experienced, and extremely passionate about representing immigrants in our country. Send us a message online or call our office at (847) 495-2223 for help you can count on.