What Is the Process of Obtaining Citizenship Through Naturalization?

Becoming a citizen of the United States is an incredibly rewarding experience. Obtaining citizenship, while worthwhile, can be a challenging process. That is why it is essential to have strong legal representation on your side. Read on to learn more about the naturalization process, and how Katona & Associates, PLLC can help you.

What Are the Ways That You Can Become a Citizen of the United States?

There are three main ways one can obtain citizenship. These include:

• Family based
  • You are the immediate relative of a U.S. citizen.
• Employment based
  • There are many different work visas available. For example, visas for professional employees, unskilled workers, and student visas to name a few.
• Refugee/ Asylum
  • If you were admitted to the U.S. as a refugee, you must apply for permanent residency one year after your entry into the U.S. If you were granted asylum, you can apply for permanent residency one year after being granted asylum status.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

You must fulfill a number of requirements in order to obtain citizenship.

You must be 18 years of age or older, and meet one of the following criteria:

• You are a permanent resident, have served in the U.S. military, and have lived in the U.S. for at least three years.
• You are the spouse of a U.S. citizen and have lived in the U.S. for at least three years.
• You have been granted asylum and have lived in the U.S. for four years.
• You have had permanent resident status for five years and have lived in the U.S. during that time.

You must establish a residence and prove that you have been physically present in the U.S. If you have a single absence for more than a year, you may not be eligible for citizenship. Additionally, being absent from the country for more than six consecutive months may disrupt the continuity of your residency.

Proving Good Moral Character

If you have committed a crime of moral turpitude or a drug crime during your time in the U.S., you may not be eligible for citizenship. Moral turpitude crimes include:

• Domestic violence
• Battery
• Theft
• Assault
• Homicide
• Rape

Exams

Most citizenship applicants are required to take an exam to test their knowledge of the English language, and basic U.S. history and government, though there are some exceptions. Contact our firm to find out more.

Contact a NYC Immigration Attorney

We understand that the process of obtaining citizenship can be challenging. That is why Katona & Associates, PLLC is here to help you achieve your goal of becoming a U.S. citizen. To find out more about the citizenship/naturalization process, please contact Katona & Associates.

Katona & Associates, PLLC takes tremendous pride in assisting clients across New York City in their journeys to become citizens of the United States. If you are ready to begin the naturalization process, you can count on us to help you navigate each step of the way. To learn how our team of experienced immigration attorneys can assist you with your case, contact Katona & Associates, PLLC today.