Naturalization is the process by which foreign nationals become U.S. citizens. There are a variety of requirements for naturalization which vary by different circumstances. This page covers the general requirements, and provides a chart comparing the requirements for the main categories.
The general requirements (subject to exceptions) for naturalization include:
- a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;
- residence in a particular USCIS District prior to filing;
- an ability to read, write, and speak English;
- a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government;
- good moral character;
- attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and,
- favorable disposition toward the United States.
Note that recent changes in immigration law and USCIS procedures now make it easier for U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL to naturalize. See our page: Naturalization Information for Military Personnel.
In addition, U.S. immigration law grants special Citizenship rights to CHILDREN who are adopted by U.S. Citizens. See our page on Adopted Children and Citizenship.
The following table summarizes the naturalization requirements for MOST types of applicants (but does NOT cover Children and Citizenship, or certain other special circumstances).
| Type of Applicant |
Time Required as Permanent Resident |
Continuous Residence |
Physical Presence in U.S. |
Time in District or State |
English & Civics Knowledge |
| If you: Have been a Permanent Resident for the past 5 years and have no special circumstances Note: Over 90% of applicants fall into this category. |
5 years |
5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer |
30 months |
3 months |
Required |
| If you: Are currently married to and living with a U.S. citizen AND Have been married to and living with that same U.S. citizen for the past 3 years AND Your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the past 3 years |
3 years |
3 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer |
18 months |
3 months | Required |
| If you: Are in the U.S. Armed Forces (or will be filing your application within 6 months of an honorable discharge) AND Have served for at least 1 year |
You must be a Permanent Resident on the day of your interview. |
Not Required |
Not Required |
Not Required | Required |
| If you: Were in the U.S. Armed Forces for less than 1 year OR If you: Were in the U.S. Armed Forces for 1 year or more, but you were discharged more than 6 months ago |
5 years |
5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: If you were out of the country as part of your service, this time out of the country does not break your “continuous residence.” It is treated just like time spent in the United States. |
30 months
|
3 months | Required |
| If you: Performed active duty military service during: • World War I (November 11, 1916-April 6, 1917); • World War II (September 1, 1939-December 31, 1946); • Korea (June 25, 1950-July 1, 1955); • Vietnam (February 28, 1961-October 15, 1978); • Persian Gulf (August 2, 1990-April 11, 1991); or • On or after September 11, 2001. |
You are not required to be a Permanent Resident. Note: If you did not enlist or reenlist in the United States or its outlying possessions, you must be a Permanent Resident on the day you file your application. |
Not Required |
Not Required |
Not Required |
Required |
| If you: Were married to a U.S. citizen who died during a period of honorable active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces Note: You must have been married to and living with your U.S. citizen spouse at the time of his/her death. |
You must be a Permanent Resident on the day of your interview. |
Not Required |
Not Required |
Not Required | Required |
| If you: Are a U.S. national (a non-citizen who owes permanent allegiance to the United States) AND Have become a resident of any State AND Are otherwise qualified for naturalization |
You are not required to be a Permanent Resident. |
The same requirements as any other applicant for naturalization, depending on your qualifications. Note: Any time you resided in American Samoa or Swains Island counts the same as the time you resided within a State of the United States. |
3 months or not required, depending on your qualifications. |
Required |
Required |
| If you: Served on a vessel operated by the United States OR If you: Served on a vessel registered in the United States and owned by U.S. citizens or a U.S. corporation. |
5 years |
5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: If you were out of the country while serving on a vessel, this time out of the country does not break your “continuous residence.” It is treated just like time spent in the United States. |
30 months Note: Time served on the vessel counts as time “physically present” in the United States no matter where you were. |
3 months |
Required |
| If you: Are an employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. Government |
5 years |
5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will break your “continuous residence.” You may keep your “continuous residence” if you have had at least 1 year of unbroken “continuous residence” since becoming a Permanent Resident and you get an approved N-470 before you have been out of the United States for 1 year. |
30 months Note: Time spent in this type of employment counts as time “physically present” in the United States no matter where you are as long as you get an approved N-470 before you have been out of the United States for 1 year. |
3 months |
Required |
| If you: Are a person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States |
5 years |
5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will break your “continuous residence.” You may keep your “continuous residence” if you have had at least 1 year of unbroken “continuous residence” since becoming a Permanent Resident and you get an approved N-470 at any time before applying for naturalization. |
30 months Note: Time spent in this type of employment counts as time “physically present” in the United States no matter where you are as long as you get an approved N-470 before you apply for naturalization. |
3 months |
Required |
| If you: Are employed by one of the following: • An American institution of research recognized by the Attorney General; • An American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States; or • A public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty (if the employment began after you became a Permanent Resident) |
5 years |
5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will break your “continuous residence.” You may keep your “continuous residence” if you have had at least 1 year of unbroken “continuous residence” since becoming a Permanent Resident and you get an approved N-470 before you have been out of the United States for 1 year. |
30 months |
3 months |
Required |
| If you: Have been employed for 5 years or more by a U.S. nonprofit organization that principally promotes the interests of the United States abroad through the communications media |
5 years |
Not Required |
Not required |
Not required |
Required |
| If you: Are the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is one of the following: • A member of the U.S. Armed Forces; • An employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. Government; • An employee of an American institution of research recognized by the Attorney General; • An employee of an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States; • An employee of a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty; or • A person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States AND Your citizen spouse is working abroad under an employment contract with the qualifying employer for at least 1 year and will continue to be so employed at the time you are naturalized. |
You must be a Permanent Resident at the time of your CIS interview |
Not Required |
Not required |
Not required |
Required |
Naturalization
Greetings,
I am a Russian citizen. I lived in the United States for two years while studying in the university there. After meeting my husband, who is an American citizen, we moved to Japan. At one time I received a Green Card, planning to return to the U.S., but my husband changed jobs and we decided to stay longer. We have been married for 11 years and stayed in Japan for 10 years. Two years ago I overstayed my Green Card, and cannot travel to the U.S. anymore.
How difficult will it be for me to return my permanent resident status?
Being married to a U.S. citizen for over 10 years, do I still have to go back to the U.S. and live there for 3 years to be qualified for naturalization?
Thank you
Returning Resident Status
Regarding regaining U.S. Permanent Resident status, there are generally two approaches. One approach is to apply for "returning resident status." This basically requires proving that one's stay outside of the U.S. beyond the permitted limit was beyond your control. The U.S. State Department defines this type of application as follows: "An application for returning resident status requires evidence of the applicant's continuing, unbroken ties to the United States, that the stay outside the United States was truly beyond the applicant's control and that the intent of the applicant was to always return to the United States."
The other approach is simply to apply through the usual manner for obtaining U.S. Permanent Residency, all over again, such as by having your husband petition for you.
In order to decide between the two, it would be advisable to seek legal counsel.
Regarding naturalization, in general, assuming that you were deemed to still be a U.S. Permanent Resident, "If you: Are currently married to and living with a U.S. citizen AND Have been married to and living with that same U.S.
citizen for the past 3 years AND Your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the past 3 years", you would still have to meet the "3 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer", as well as the 18 months of Physical Presence in U.S. requirement, as well as the other requirements for citizenship.
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