7 Tips When Your Goal Is to Become a U.S Citizen

7 Tips for Becoming a U.S. Citizen

Starting the journey to become a United States citizen is a significant milestone that can open up new opportunities, but it also comes with responsibilities. While naturalizing can be a little complicated and may feel daunting, understanding the requirements will help you prepare.

Here are some tips to help you on your journey.

1. Hire Legal Counsel

The legal process in the United States isn’t simple or easy to navigate on your own, and a naturalization attorney can help you through the process. For example, you’ll need to know whether or not you qualify, and then during the application process, you’ll fill out a lot of paperwork. At some point, you’ll be called in for an interview, and that can be nerve-wracking if you don’t know what to expect.

The main benefit of hiring an attorney is getting access to legal advice and support that will make all of the unknown processes feel a little less stressful. They’ll tell you exactly what to expect and give you pointers on how to get your application approved and pass the interview. If you want to hold dual citizenship, your attorney will explain if that’s possible and if so, how that will work.

If you decide you want to legally change your name, which many people do, it is fairly simple to do during the naturalization process.

2. Know the Basic Requirements

If your dream is to become a U.S. citizen, you need to make sure you meet the basic requirements. For instance, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a Green Card, and you need to have been living in the U.S. for a period of time.

You’ll also need to be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English, as well as have some knowledge regarding key historical facts, the U.S. governmental structure, and your rights and responsibilities as a citizen. Sometimes laws change, so check with an immigration attorney for the specifics before taking any action.

3. Triple Check Every Form Before Submission

The naturalization process can take years, and one mistake on your paperwork can push your case back for months at a time. That’s why you need to triple check all the legal forms you submit to ensure they are accurate and complete. If anything is left out or unclear, you risk having your application postponed.

4. Gather All Supporting Documents as Soon as Possible

Don’t wait until you’re asked to provide documentation. Talk to an immigration attorney immediately to find out what documents you’ll need to present to become a citizen. Gather them right away so you won’t have to scramble at the last minute.

5. Be Patient

Typically, it can take 12-18 months to get U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process, but that timeframe will vary based on your circumstances and the current load of applications being processed. It’s important to be patient while your application is reviewed. If anything happens to set you back, just fix the problem and move forward.

6. Prepare for Your Interview

Your citizenship interview is important, and you’ll want to prepare as much as possible. Talk to your attorney to find out what to expect and know what documents to bring. They’ll tell you how to dress and provide tips for navigating the interview process. They can even give you practice questions to answer.

Once your interview is over, you’ll want to prepare for your oath ceremony, and that’s another situation your attorney can help with.

7. Consider an EB-5 Investor Visa

While holding an EB-5 investor visa won’t guarantee citizenship approval, it can speed up the process. Under the EB-5 program, you, your spouse, and your unmarried children under 21 can apply for a Green Card (lawful permanent residence) as long as you meet the following qualifications:

· Make a qualifying investment in a commercial enterprise in the U.S.; and

· Plan to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.

At first, you’ll get a conditional Green Card, and after two years you can apply for a permanent residence card. After five years as a permanent resident, you can apply for U.S. citizenship through form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).

Some of the benefits of going this route include more probability of visa availability. This is a great path to take if you need the added benefits and have the capital to invest. However, it’s not for everyone and isn’t a requirement.

You’re on the Right Path

The journey to U.S. citizenship requires dedication and patience, but the rewards are worth the time and energy it takes to do it right.