You can permanently reside in the United States with a green card. American citizenship provides a number of privileges. American citizens freely leave the country and enter it, take part in elections. In addition, your children, regardless of their place of birth, automatically receive the status of a citizen of the country.
Instructions
Step 1
If you have a residence permit, then after a certain period you can apply for citizenship. You can obtain American citizenship after going through the naturalization process. In order to naturalize, you will need to pass a citizenship exam.
Step 2
First go to the immigration office and get a special application form (Form N-400). Fill out the application form (application for naturalization) and take it to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. This can be done three months before the expiration of the five-year period of stay in permanent resident status. If you are the spouse of a US citizen, this period is reduced to three years. If you meet all the conditions and have not violated any laws of the state in which you live, you will be assigned a date for the citizenship exam.
Step 3
During the exam, it will be necessary to demonstrate knowledge of the English language (at least minimal) and answer questions regarding the political structure of the country, its economy, history, etc.
Step 4
If you fail to pass the exam, you will not be admitted to the citizenship procedure. In this case, you will have to take preparatory courses for the citizenship exam. Only then will you be able to reapply.
Step 5
If you pass the exam successfully, your petition will be sent to the district court. The court will review it and decide whether to grant you citizenship. You will then be issued a Naturalization Certificate. It will become a document confirming your citizenship.
Step 6
When you apply for US citizenship, you will need to declare that you reside in the country and want America to become your permanent residence. If, as a resident, you left the territory of the United States for a long time and lived in another country, this fact may become a reason for refusing to grant citizenship.
Step 7
By becoming a US citizen, you will not lose the citizenship of another country. American law does not prohibit dual citizenship.
Step 8
If you have received US citizenship and you have children under the age of 16, they will also receive citizenship. For children, naturalization takes place automatically.
