Besides being born in the US, you can become a US citizen through the process of naturalization, acquisition, or derivation.

Most frequent route immigrants take to become US citizens is naturalization. About a million permanent residents apply for citizenship every year.

To be eligible for naturalization, you have to be 18 or older, and be either one of these:

• Have been a lawful resident (aka a Green Card holder) for 5 years
• Have been married to a US citizen for at least 3 years
• Be qualified for US military service

The acquisition process is for children of US citizens who happened to be born in a foreign country. They can get their US citizenship automatically. And derivation is a process through witch the children of naturalized citizens can get US citizenship.

The immigration process will look different depending on which country you’re coming from and what kind of case you’ve chosen to start. If you don’t know what option suits you better, we can help you figure it out. Before trying to enter the US, make sure you have a passport with a visa.

The USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) is a federal agency in the Department of Homeland Security. They handle all things related to lawful immigration to the US.

Depending on your visa category, and whether you have already filed for an immigration case, you can become eligible for a work permit either right away or within several months. It does take between 90 days and several months for USCIS to review and process your application due to backlog.

The main objective for the immigration officer is to determine beyond doubt that your marriage is authentic and based on love and not on a paperwork necessity. The interview might be at times awkward as the officer can ask some very personal questions, but this is a normal process, so be prepared. It’s a good idea to show proof of your combined finances, photos together, tickets from your vacations together. You will be likely asked questions about how you met and some details about your life together – such as who sleeps on the left side of the bed or what color your spouse’s toothbrush is. They’ll check if you know each other’s parents’ names, where the spouse works, etc.

There is no requirement to have a lawyer when you apply for an immigrant visa or Green Card in the US, but it is highly recommended that you do. Immigration is a serious process and not everyone will get a do-over. An experienced lawyer will know about nuances that you might not be aware of, they will know how to submit paperwork correctly and what to expect from every stage of the process.

There are several reasons a Green Card application may be denied by the USCIS. For example, if the forms weren’t filled out or submitted correctly, some documents are missing, you’re not found financially stable enough or aren’t eligible. The good news is in case of denial you will most likely still be able to file an appeal with court and go through the process again.