Q&A for How to Become a US Citizen

You don't have to worry about long periods of staying abroad; instead, you can travel and be abroad for as long as you wish without having to worry about abandoning your residence status.

No. You still need to apply for US citizenship. Marrying a US citizen will make the process easier, however.

Assuming you are a permanent resident of the U.S. for at least five years, the process takes anything from three months to over a year. Check with your local USCIS office, since processing times vary considerably. If you are married to a citizen, then it only takes 3 years instead of 5.

No, you do not automatically become a citizen.

Yes, you can join the army before you become a U.S. citizen, as long as you have a green card. Joining the army also helps you become a citizen, as you only have to live one year in America instead of three.

You can live there as long as you want, as long as you renew your green card. You never have to become a citizen and take the test, unless you want to become a citizen.

No. If your green card has expired, you cannot. But if you apply six months before the expiration, you can apply for citizenship and no longer need a green card.

This depends on when you divorced. If you've been in the U.S. for five years, you still qualify. However, you might be trying to qualify for early citizenship after 3 years based on your marriage. In that situation, you must still be married to your spouse before your naturalization ceremony.

No, your parents must file their own papers.

You don't have an expiration date because you have one of the older green cards from the early eighties. They don't expire, they are permanent, that's why you only have an issue date.

No, but you will need to apply for a student visa. The college you want to attend should be able to give you more information, so I would recommend contacting them.

USCIS will make exceptions for the English exam if you are 50 and have lived in the U.S. for 20 years. If you are 55 or older, you only need to have been in the U.S. for 15 years. However, you still must take the civics exam.

No, an education is not necessary to get a green card.

What's legal and illegal in terms of entering the US varies widely depending on where the individual is coming from, whether they have any kind of visa to enter the country (and if so, what type), etc.

No, you don't. While your child would be a citizen, you would still have to go through the proper legal channels.

No, you can apply for citizenship if you're married to a U.S. citizen or if you have received work in the U.S. If your parents were US citizens, then you don't have to apply for citizenship since it is automatically granted.

You don't need to be a citizen to study in the U.S. Instead, you should seek a student visa.

Green cards last for 10 years.

As long as you have a green card, you won't have an issue. It also is possible without a green card, but you might run into issues and delays when re-entering the states.

People who enter the U.S. illegally are not generally eligible to become citizens. You should meet with an immigration attorney to discuss your specific situation.

Yes, she can. As long as one parent has citizenship and visited the country within 5 years before the date of birth, she is eligible for a citizenship.

You can work in the U.S. without becoming a citizen. You will need a work visa.

First you renew your Green Card and then you are able to apply for citizenship, but if you are out of the USA more than 1 year, you lose your right to renew your green card. It depends on your situation.

You can obtain an honorary citizenship from the President or through an act of Congress.

Yes, it may help. Having any kind of family sponsorship can make becoming a naturalized American citizen easier.

Yes, any family members can provide sponsorship for you to become a legal American citizen.

Anyone, regardless of conception, who is born in the mainland United States or the territories is automatically an American citizen the moment they were born.

Governors of all states have the authority to grant citizenship to undocumented immigrants by granting a citizenship clemency pardon, which prevents deportation.

No, that won't be possible. If you want to join the US Coast Guard as a foreigner, then you will need to get a green card.

After obtaining a green card, an immigrant will have to live in the states for 5 years or 3 years if married to an American citizen. Following the waiting period, the immigrant will have to take an oath to become a fully naturalized citizen.