Naturalizations

General Requirements

1. At least 18 years old.

2. Lawfully admitted to the United States as a legal permanent resident.

3. Immediately preceding the filing of the application, the applicant:
a. Has RESIDED continuously as a legal permanent resident in the US for the statutory period (typically 5 years, but only 3 years if married to a US citizen or 1 year for Armed Forces expedite) prior to filing with absences from the United States totaling no more than 1 year.
b. Has been PHYSICALLY PRESENT in the United States for at least half of the required time. Absences of more than 6 months but less than 1 year may break the continuity of residence unless the applicant can establish that he or she did not abandon his or her residence during such period.
c. Has resided within a state or USCIS district for at least 3 months

4. Good moral character for the statutory period (typically 5 years, but only 3 years if married to a US citizen or 1 year for Armed Forces expedite) prior to filing for naturalization

5. Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand basic English, unless you are exempt from this requirement. You are exempt from this requirement if on the date of filing you

a. Have been residing in the United States as a legal permanent resident for at least 15 years and you are over 55 years old;

b. Have been residing in the United States as a legal permanent resident for at least 20 years and you are over 50 years old; or

c. Have a physical or mental medical impairment that affects your ability to learn English

6. Knowledge of United States government and history, unless you have a physical or mental medical impairment that affects your ability to learn U.S. government and history.

Step by step process to apply
Many people who apply for naturalization decide to seek professional assistance. The main reason is for procedural reasons the USCIS citizenship process does not work very smoothly and there is a lot of follow up work with the USCIS to make sure that the application is on the correct track.

On the other hand, if you are not in a hurry to become a US citizen and do not mind following up with the USCIS, this is a procedure that many people decide to do by themselves. If you decide to do it by yourself make sure that you make a complete copy of all documents you submit to the USCIS, send everything certified mail return receipt requested, and get a copy of the canceled checks from the bank to be used as proof of prior filing in case the USCIS loses your case.

USCIS Interview
The USCIS will send you an appointment for your naturalization interview. If you pass the English language test and history test you will be scheduled for an "OATH CEREMONY."

Oath Ceremony
At the oath ceremony you will officially become a naturalized U.S. citizen. You will obtain your naturalization certificate at the end of the ceremony. You should apply for a US passport at your local post office and a new social security card at the social security administration if your current card indicates "WITH INS AUTHORIZATION ONLY".

Labor Certifications (PERM)
On October 1, 1996, the Department of Labor set up new procedures and criteria for processing applications for Labor Certifications.

Under this new system, those cases in which an employer has engaged in extensive pre-filing recruitment, and which meet the following four criteria can now be filed with a request for reduction in further post filing recruitment:

* (1) there is little or no U.S. worker availability for the occupation;

(2) there are no restrictive requirements;

(3) the job is offered at the prevailing wage; and,

(4) "adequate recruitment has been conducted through "sources normal to the occupation and industry" within the last six months.

If the request is approved, the "reduction in recruitment" case should be handled "expeditiously".

A second track, designated for "limited processing review", has been set up for cases with no processing problems, i.e., no special job requirements, no unusual duties, no applicant availability, and no wage issues. Cases which meet these criteria will be approved after minimal review.

The third track involves all other cases for regular processing. Under the new procedures, the State Employment Service will screen these cases for restrictive requirements. Any case with a restrictive requirement will be forwarded to the Labor Department for review and consideration of and business necessity justification an employer may have for the restrictive requirement. If an employer's justification is accepted, the cases will be remanded to the State Employment Service. These cases should be given expedited treatment once recruitment is completed.

If the justification for the requirement is determined to be insufficient, a Notice of Findings will issue. Implicit in the system is a heightened review of restrictive requirements. An employer must prove that the job itself and all requirements for the job existed prior to hiring the alien worker

Renewal & Replacement of Legal Permanent Residence

Removal of Conditional Resident Status

Extend, Renew or Change of Non-Immigrant Visa

Immigration Resources
Civil Surgeons Locator:
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV

Processing Times:
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/ptimes.jsp

Case Status Search:
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do

Current Visa Bulletin:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_4328.html

Consular Processing Times:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php

Foreign Embassies in The United States:
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/a0004582.html

Selective Service Administration:
http://www.sss.gov/FSregist.htm

U.S. Passport Information:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

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