As you know, individuals worldwide have visions of the American dream and will sacrifice so much to immigrate to America and seek citizenship. Arriving to the land of opportunity is the first step in a long journey to citizenship. Most immigrants stay in the United States legally by getting a green card, which is also known as becoming a lawful permanent resident. So in this video, we will talk about how to become a U.S. citizen. U.S. citizenship carries tremendous privileges, rights, and benefits.
There are several fundamental ways to become a U.S. citizen: Citizenship by birth in the U.S.; Citizenship through derivation; Citizenship through acquisition; Citizenship through naturalization; Citizenship through the diversity lottery visa; Citizenship through employment; and Citizenship through investment/entrepreneurship. Most immigrants in the United States become citizens through the naturalization process. In fact, an average of almost one million permanent residents apply for naturalization each year.
1. Citizenship through Birth
Under United States law, any person born within the United States (including the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands) is automatically granted U.S. citizenship. There is an exemption for children of parents who are foreign diplomats.
As most Americans are born on U.S. soil, this is the most common way to become a U.S. citizen. The next three paths address ways foreign nationals can obtain citizenship.
2. Citizenship through Acquisition
In some circumstances, a child automatically “acquires” citizenship even though that child was born outside the United States. At least one parent needs to be a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth and several other conditions must be met. If/when this child grows up and marries and has children, those children may also acquire U.S. citizenship at birth. The ways a child can become a U.S. citizen through acquisition generally include:
1. Both parents were U.S. citizens
• Requires that both parents were U.S. citizens at the time of the child’s birth and the parents were married at the time of birth, and at least one parent lived in the U.S., or its territories, or both, prior to the child’s birth.
2. One parent was a U.S. citizen
• Child Born in Wedlock to 1 U.S. Citizen Parent and 1 Non-U.S. Citizen Parent (on or after November 14, 1986)
The child is entitled to citizenship providing the U.S. citizen parent had been physically present in the U.S. for 5 years, where at least 2 of those years were after the child reached the age of 14.
• Child Born Out of Wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Mother on or Before June 11, 2017
The child is entitled to citizenship providing the U.S. citizen mother had been physically present in the U.S. for at 365 continuous days prior to the birth of the child. Please note that periods spent overseas with the U.S. government/military (or as a dependent) is not considered for the physical presence request.
• Child Born Out of Wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Mother on or Before June 12, 2017
The child is entitled to citizenship providing the U.S. citizen mother had been physically present in the U.S. for at least 5 years, where at least 2 years of those years were after the child reached the age of 14. Please note that periods spent overseas with the U.S. government/military (or as a dependent) is not considered for the physical presence request.
• Child Born Out of Wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Father
The child is entitled to citizenship provided the U.S. citizen father had been physically present in the U.S. for at least 5 years, where at least 2 years of those years were after the child reached the age of 14. In addition, the U.S. citizen father must acknowledge paternity and agree in writing to provide financial support for the child until s/he reaches the age of 18.
To obtain official documentation from the U.S. government that a person acquired U.S. citizenship through one of the above methods, the applicant must file Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship.
3. Citizenship through Derivation
When a parent naturalizes, his or her children (under 18 and living with the parent at the time) may “derive” U.S. citizenship automatically, provided they are also permanent residents. Moreover, a child who gets U.S. Citizenship through derivation does not have to participate in a naturalization ceremony. Generally, foreign-born children under 18 automatically acquire U.S. citizenship if three requirements are met:
• The child must have U.S. lawful permanent resident status (“green card” holder); and
• At least one parent must be a U.S. citizen; and
• The child must reside in the United States in the legal and physical custody of a U.S. citizen parent.
It is important to note that citizenship cannot be derived from a stepparent unless the stepparent adopts the child.
4. Citizenship through Naturalization
Naturalization refers to the process in which a person not born in the United States voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen. For foreign-born persons, naturalization is the most common way to become a U.S. citizen. Several requirements must be fulfilled before an individual can apply for citizenship. Generally, applicants must be 18 years old and fall into one of the following three basic eligibility categories:
• 5 years as a permanent resident
• 3 years as a permanent resident who has lived in marital union with a U.S. citizen spouse for at least 3 years
• Qualifying service in the U.S. Armed Forces to include service of one year in the military or have served during a period of hostility.
A permanent resident starts the naturalization process by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
These are the three most common eligibility categories; most naturalized citizens come through one of the above paths.
5. Citizenship through the Diversity Visa Lottery
The Diversity Visa Lottery is also known as the Green Card Lottery. It is a U.S. immigration program that provides approximately 50,000 green cards annually. The visa allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States. It is usually available to people from most countries across the world. The only exceptions are those born in countries with high immigration rates to the United States, which is typically Canada, China, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
The U.S. government offers and regulates the Diversity Visa Lottery program through the Department of State (DOS). It can be considered one of the easiest ways to get U.S. citizenship as once you are selected in the lottery and obtain your green card, you only need to wait 5 years before you can apply for citizenship. Through this avenue, you would apply via naturalization.
6. Citizenship through Employment
There are several ways to get a green card based on employment. Having an employment-based permanent resident status (or green card) for five years will make you eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. About 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas are issued each year. Through this avenue, you would apply via naturalization.
7. Citizenship through Investment / Entrepreneurship
Citizenship through investment is another avenue for a foreigner to become a U.S. citizen. You can do this through a National Interest Waiver Green Card, or through the EB-5 program, which I talk about in another video. Through either program, you must hold permanent residence status for 5 years before you can apply for citizenship. Through this avenue, you would apply via naturalization.
Client Success Story
Now let me share with you a brief story about one of my clients, Maria. Maria was originally from Brazil, and she moved to the United States when she was just 18 years old with dreams of studying and building a better life. She worked tirelessly during the day in a restaurant within its marketing division and studied late into the night, all while navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.
Despite numerous challenges, including language barriers and financial struggles, her determination never wavered. She always said, ‘I want to be a U.S. citizen. This is where I belong.’
In 2020, after years of hard work and perseverance, Maria finally achieved her dream. She passed her naturalization test with flying colors and became a U.S. citizen. I still remember the joy and pride on her face as she held her naturalization certificate. It was an emotional and rewarding moment.
Maria’s story is a testament to what can be achieved with determination, resilience, and the right guidance. Like Maria, you too can navigate the path to U.S. citizenship.
Bonus Information
As promised, here’s some bonus information that you may not know about:
U.S. citizenship has many advantages. Becoming a U.S. citizen entitles you to benefits that are not available to green card holders. These include:
• The right to vote.
• The ability to travel around the world with a U.S. passport, which is one of the strongest passports in the world.
• The opportunity to sponsor relatives to obtain a green card or U.S. citizenship..
• You cannot be deported to your country of nationality or previous citizenship.
• No loss of status after long trips outside the United States.
• Possibility of obtaining government jobs, scholarships, and other benefits.
• Children automatically become U.S. citizens.
• Serve on a jury.
• Obtaining citizenship for children born outside the United States.
• Qualify for Federal Jobs.
Last but not least, be sure to check the caption below this video. We’ve got questionnaires for different types of visas so that we can help you determine which visa is most appropriate for you. And if you’re traveling soon, we also have a list of some of my travel favorites.