Permanent Residents may apply for naturalization to become US citizens. The acquisition of US Citizenship through naturalization provides immigrants with several rights and freedoms, including the right to vote, the right to travel to and from the US with a US passport, the right to apply for federal jobs and the right to petition close family members for permanent residence.

CITIZENSHIP ACQUIRED BY NATURALIZATION BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for Citizenship by Naturalization, the applicant must be age 18 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least five years or for at least three years if permanent residence was obtained through marriage to a US citizen. In addition, marriage-based applicants must continue to be married to such person. Moreover, all applicants are required to be persons of good moral character, have a basic knowledge of US history and government, and be able to read, write and speak basic English. Finally, applicants must have maintained a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the US. Certain exceptions apply.

CITIZENSHIP ACQUIRED BY NATURALIZATION ENTITLEMENTS

United States Citizenship provides immigrants with numerous rights and freedoms, including the right to vote, freely travel to and from the US with a United States passport, own all types of property in the US, obtain federal jobs, and petition for a variety of close family members to come to the US and become permanent residents.