How Long Does It Take to Get Citizenship using N-400?

The journey for U.S. citizenship is indeed a long one, but definitely worth the wait. The process of becoming a U.S. citizen begins with a process called naturalization. Naturalization refers to a process through which a non U.S. born person becomes a U.S. citizen. For most people, naturalization is only possible once they have been a lawful permanent resident (LPR), or a “green card holder” for many years. In this article, we will go into details of how to obtain citizenship via naturalization, and how long the naturalization process takes.

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Our team at Xu Law Group PLLC can help guide you through the citizenship process and avoid common errors and delays. We have successfully helped clients facing complex naturalization scenarios, including prior denials and criminal history, navigate through this process. Our law firm partners with cutting-edge immigration tools to process your naturalization applications expertly, fast, and in a way that’s cost effective. Contact our New York immigration law office today at 917-259-0858 or online for the best-in-class experience for naturalization.

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Eligibility for Citizenship

To apply for naturalization, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time you file the application;

• Have been a lawful permanent resident for the past three or five years (depending on which naturalization category you are applying under); [see Residency requirements below]

• Have continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;

• Be able to read, write, and speak basic English;

• Demonstrate good moral character;

• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government;

• Demonstrate a loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and

• Be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Now, we will go into details about the continuous presence and physical presence requirements.

1. Residency - the following situations will qualify you for naturalization:

   • You have been a LPR for five years;

   • You are the spouse of a U.S. citizen and have been an LPR for three years;

   • You have served in the military for at least one year and were discharged within the last six months;

   • You performed active military service during a period of conflict (don’t have to be LPR).

2. Physical Presence - in most cases, you must have spent a certain amount of time being physically present in the U.S.:

   • You have spent 30 months living in the U.S.;

   • You are the spouse of a U.S. citizen and have spent at least 18 months living in the U.S.;

   • No physical presence requirement if you served in the military for at least a year and have been discharged within the last six months;

   • No physical presence requirement if you served active duty in the military during a period of conflict.

3. State Residency - you must have lived in a specific state for a period of time:

   • You have lived in your current state of residency for at least three months;

   • You have served in the military and are not subject to the physical presence requirement above;

How long does the N400 Process Take?

N400 processing time varies based on which field office or service center is processing your N-400 naturalization application. As of the date of this article, processing time for N-400 ranges from

• 12 to 18.5 months at the New York City field office,

• 14 to 21.5 months for the Brooklyn NY field office,

• 7 to 15.5 months for the Boston MA field office,

• 15.5 to 18.5 months for the San Francisco CA field office, and

• 8.5 to 15.5 months for the San Antonio TX field office.

For the most recent N400 timeline 2022, check the USCIS website for the latest N400 processing time.

Contact Xu Law Group Now to Guide you through your Citizenship Journey

Our team at Xu Law Group PLLC can help guide you through the citizenship process and avoid common errors and delays. We have successfully helped clients facing complex naturalization scenarios, including prior denials and criminal history, navigate through this process. Contact our New York immigration law office today at 917-259-0858 or online for the best in class services for your immigration needs.

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About the Author:

Toni Xu is an experienced immigration attorney who represents immigrants in an wide range of immigration cases.