Maybe you are not just looking for a temporary or permanent visa but want to become a full-fledged US citizen. That’s understandable because getting American citizenship as a foreigner comes with many benefits, such as:
- You can vote and run for office in federal, state, and local elections.
- You can travel with a US passport, which gives you access to more than 180 countries without a visa.
- You can sponsor your relatives to join you in the USA, even if they are not eligible for other visas.
- You can apply for federal jobs and benefits that are only available to US citizens.
- You can enjoy the protection and support of the US government, both at home and abroad.
Sounds great, right? But How do I get American citizenship as a foreigner? Well, there are two main ways: by birth or by naturalization.
How to Get American Citizenship as a Foreigner by Birth
You are automatically a US citizen if you are born in the USA or if you are born abroad to at least one parent who is a US citizen.
This is called birthright citizenship, and it is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. You don’t need to do anything to claim your citizenship except to prove your identity and your parentage.
However, there are some exceptions and limitations to this rule. For example, if you are born abroad to US citizen parents who are serving in the military or working for the US government, you may need to apply for a consular report of birth abroad to confirm your citizenship.
Also, if you are born abroad to US citizen parents who have not lived in the USA for a certain period of time, you may not qualify for citizenship by birth.
You can find more details about these scenarios on the official website of the US Department of State.
How to Get American Citizenship as a Foreigner by Naturalization
If you are not a US-born citizen, you can still become one by naturalization. This is the process of applying for citizenship after meeting certain requirements, such as:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have a green card for at least five years or three years if you are married to a US citizen.
- You must have lived in the USA continuously for at least half of that time and in the same state or district for at least three months before applying.
- You must be able to read, write, and speak basic English unless you qualify for an exemption due to age, disability, or long-term residence.
- You must have a good moral character and not have committed any serious crimes or violated any immigration laws.
- You must pass a test on US history and government and take an oath of allegiance to the USA.
The application fee for naturalization is $725 USD, which includes a $640 USD filing fee and an $85 USD biometric fee.
You can apply online or by mail, and you must submit various documents, such as your green card, passport, tax returns, and marriage certificate (if applicable).
You will also need to attend an interview and a ceremony to receive your certificate of naturalization and your US passport.
Becoming a US citizen is a big decision, and it requires a lot of commitment and dedication. But it also rewards you with many rights and privileges that you can enjoy for the rest of your life.
If you are interested in pursuing this path, you can find more information and guidance on the official website of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming an American Citizen?
There are many benefits of being a US citizen, such as:
- You can vote and run for office in federal, state, and local elections.
- You can travel with a US passport, which gives you access to more than 180 countries without a visa.
- You can sponsor your relatives to join you in the USA, even if they are not eligible for other visas.
- You can apply for federal jobs and benefits that are only available to US citizens.
- You can enjoy the protection and support of the US government, both at home and abroad.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of US citizenship, you can check out this: Should I Consider U.S. Citizenship?
