How long can it take to become a US citizen?
4 days ago
- #US citizenship
- #immigration
- #green card
- Becoming a US citizen varies from a few years to decades, depending on visa availability and country caps.
- The process starts with obtaining a green card, which can be unpredictable due to visa limits and processing times.
- Family-sponsored green cards are the most common path, with immediate family of US citizens getting faster processing.
- Employment-based green cards require employer sponsorship and often involve lengthy waits, especially for applicants from India and China.
- Refugees and asylees can apply for green cards after one year, but their path to citizenship is less predictable.
- Green card holders must wait 3-6 years to apply for citizenship, meeting residency, language, and civics requirements.
- Annual visa caps and high demand from certain countries can extend wait times significantly.