When Can I Apply For Naturalization Through Marriage?

To be eligible for naturalization under section 319 (a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), individuals must be at least 18 years old when submitting Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. If the immigrant remains married to and living with the U.S. husband for three years from the date of approval for conditional residence, it’s time to apply. If the immigrant is married to a U.S. citizen, U.S. military service member, or child of a U.S. citizen, they can apply for U.S. citizenship after three years.

There are exceptions and modifications to the naturalization requirements available to those who qualify. USCIS also provides accommodations for individuals with disabilities. For example, if you are married to an Irish citizen, you can apply to become an Irish citizen by naturalization if you live in Ireland or Northern Ireland and meet certain conditions. Children can also use this exception, although they must still reach age 18 before submitting their application for citizenship.

For foreign nationals, there are two steps to achieving U.S. citizenship through marriage: becoming a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and applying for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen. If you are already in the U.S. as a green card holder, you can apply for naturalization after three years if you are a permanent resident (green card holder) and have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse during that time. Most Green Card holders must wait five years before applying for naturalization.

In summary, to be eligible for U.S. citizenship, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old when applying.

How long does it take for I-130 to get approved for spouse in 2024?

After filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, the approval process can take anywhere from 10 to 14 months for immediate relatives and could take several years for family preference categories.

What Happens After Filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

1. Receipt of Petition. Approximately 2 to 4 Weeks After Filing.

If you are helping a family member immigrate to the United States, youll file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to establish a qualifying relationship and reserve an immigrant visa (green card). If properly filed, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will initially respond by mailing you a receipt notice that confirms receipt of your petition. Formally known as Form I-797C, Notice of Action (see example below), the receipt notice typically arrives 2 to 4 weeks after filing. If you did not properly file your Form I-130, USCIS will send a Notice of Action to reject the petition. A rejection will significantly delay your request and overall I-130 processing time. Thus, its important to prepare the immigrant visa petition package correctly and submit all required supporting documents. Learn how.

What is the processing time for n400 in 2024?

Wait times for naturalization applications. Processing times for Form N-400 (officially called the “Application for Naturalization”) in 2024 average 9 months. For more up to date timelines, we analyzes monthly processing times at USCIS field offices across the country; you can find our timeline estimates for Form N-400 here.

Not sure which visa is right for you? Take our free assessment to get a customized plan. Learn more.

USCIS Processing Times Historical Trends. Using USCISs historic processing times data, you can see the trend line for how long the government will take to process your application. Importantly, USCIS uses Fiscal Years (FY), which run from October 1 of the prior year through September 30 of the year described. For instance, FY 2024 would run from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.

Do I have to wait 12 months to apply for British citizenship?

You can usually apply for citizenship 12 months after you get indefinite leave to remain (or ‘indefinite leave to enter) unless youre married to a British citizen.

If you dont have either of those, you can check if youre eligible for indefinite leave to remain on GOV.UK.

Check what other requirements you need to meet before you apply. You also need to have:

Lived in the UK for the past 5 years (or 3 years if you have a British husband, wife or civil partner)

Which is the fastest citizenship by naturalization?

Frequently Asked Questions. Which country is the fastest to obtain citizenship?. Vanuatu is the fastest country to obtain citizenship, with its citizenship program. The process can be completed in as little as one month. However, its worth noting that Argentina also has a relatively fast process, where citizenship could be granted in as short as two years.

What is the easiest country to get citizenship in Europe?. In Europe, Portugal is considered the easiest country to get citizenship. It offers one of the most affordable investment options for citizenship through Portugal Golden Visa. After you have five years of legal residency, you can apply for citizenship, which grants you an EU passport and the freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU.

Which European country gives the fastest citizenship?. Malta is the European country that gives the fastest citizenship. Its citizenship by investment program is the fastest in Europe, allowing individuals to obtain Maltese citizenship in return for a significant financial contribution to the country.

How long does it take for I-130 to get approved for spouse?

The filing fee for Form I-130 increased to $675 in 2024, and it currently takes about 12 months to be approved.

Note that filing and getting an I-130 approved doesnt give you an immigration status. It is just the first step in the process of applying for a green card. In this article, well outline the cost, approval time, and steps to follow after submitting Form I-130.

• Understanding I-130 processing times
• What is Form I-130 used for?
• Form I-130 cost
• Form I-130 eligibility
• Form I-130 required documents
• Alternative documents
• What happens after the I-130 is approved?
• I-130 Frequently Asked Questions
• Boundless guides
• Common Marriage Green Card Forms
• Boundless Reviews

Understanding I-130 processing times. The time it takes to get your I-130 petition approved in 2024 depends on two key factors:

What is the next step after I-130 is approved for spouse?

We will generally approve your Form I-130 if you can establish a relationship between you and your relative that qualifies them to immigrate to the United States. Generally, once we approved the petition, your relative may apply to become an LPR (get a Green Card). If your relative is already in the United States and a visa is available, they may be eligible to get their Green Card by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Certain relatives must wait until a visa number is available before they can apply for either a Form I-485 (to adjust their status if they are in the United States) or for a visa (if they are outside the United States). If your relative qualifies as an immediate relative, however, an immigrant visa is always available.

If your relative is already in the United States but is not eligible to get their Green Card by filing Form I-485, either because a visa is not immediately available or for another reason, they may apply for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country. For more information on eligibility and process for applying for a Green Card, please visit our Green Card Eligibility Categories page.

What is the first stage approval of spousal sponsorship?

During the first stage, IRCC assesses the sponsors eligibility based on factors such as their relationship with the sponsored person, financial capability to support them, and compliance with sponsorship requirements. If the sponsor meets the eligibility criteria, a positive decision is issued, signifying approval to sponsor their spouse or partner.

Its crucial to note that this first stage of approval does not constitute the final decision on the overall spousal sponsorship application.

I received a letter stating, ‘You have been approved in the first stage of processing. What comes next?. Successfully passing the first step allows the process to advance to the second stage, which focuses on assessing the sponsored persons eligibility and admissibility to Canada. This phase entails meticulous scrutiny of supporting documents, including medical examinations and security checks, and ensure that the sponsored person is suitability for permanent residence in Canada and that the relationship is in fact a genuine relationship when there is no marriage or legal documents to prove it.

What is the fastest spouse visa in the USA?

Application Process and Timeline for Fiancé(e) and Spousal Visa. If your main goal is to get to the U.S. as quickly as possible, then the K-1 fiancé(e) visa is likely the fastest option. But if your goal is to get an actual green card as soon as possible, then a marriage-based visa will be quicker.

For a rundown of the steps involved in each, see Steps to Applying for a K-1 Fiancé Visa and Applying for a Marriage-Based Immigrant Visa: Overview.

Processing times for K-1 visas have slowed significantly in recent years. The average processing time just to get the first step done, namely USCIS approval of the Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), was between 6 and 15 months in early 2024, depending on which Service Center was handling the petition.

How to get a green card faster than 90 days?

• Choose the right green card category: Consulting with an experienced Duluth immigration attorney can help you determine the most suitable green card category based on your qualifications and ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.
• Prepare a comprehensive application: Our immigration team can assist you in gathering all necessary documentation, ensuring your application is complete and accurate to minimize the risk of delays or requests for additional evidence.
• Respond promptly to USCIS requests: If USCIS requests additional information or evidence, respond promptly to avoid further delays in processing.
• Consider expedited processing, if available: For certain categories and under specific circumstances, USCIS offers premium processing for an additional fee, potentially expediting adjudication within 15 calendar days. However, this option is not available for all green card categories and does not guarantee approval.
• Stay informed and manage expectations: USCIS offers online case status tracking tools. An immigration attorney at Barrios Virgüez can also help you interpret USCIS updates and manage your expectations regarding processing timelines.

Factors Considered by USCIS for Expedite Requests. As mentioned above, you can request that USCIS expedite your green card application for specific reasons. USCIS considers all requests for expedited processing on a case-by-case basis. USCIS may consider expediting your application under the following circumstances:

• Severe financial hardship, such as situations where you or your family members face imminent eviction, foreclosure, or loss of essential services
• Humanitarian reasons, such as medical emergencies, severe illnesses, or other urgent circumstances affecting your health and safety or that of a family member
• Non Profit organizations that are culturally or socially benefitting from your work
• National interest reasons, such as if you have a unique skill, talent, or contribution that is considered beneficial to the U.S.
• A clear error made by USCIS

How early can I apply for naturalization?

You may file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, 90 calendar days before you complete your continuous residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a:

• Permanent resident for at least 5 years
• or
• Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a US citizen.

To determine your 90-day early filing date, begin by identifying your 5-year or 3-year date as a lawful permanent resident. For example, if the date on your Permanent Resident Card says “July 4, 2017,” you met the 5-year permanent resident requirement on July 4, 2022.

If you have met all other eligibility requirements, the earliest date you could apply for naturalization would be April 5, 2022, which is 90 days before July 4, 2022.

Do I have to wait 5 years to apply for US citizenship?

Determine if you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen. To become a U.S. citizen, you must be at least 18, a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), and meet all other requirements.