Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Reviewed March 2026
Immigration
Definition
Naturalization is the legal process by which a foreign national becomes a US citizen. To qualify, applicants must generally have been a lawful permanent resident for 3–5 years, meet continuous residence and physical presence requirements, demonstrate good moral character, pass an English and civics test, and take an oath of allegiance.
The standard naturalization requirement is 5 years of lawful permanent residence — reduced to 3 years for spouses of US citizens. Qualifying military service members may have expedited requirements. Continuous residence means no single trip outside the US lasting more than 6 months (which presumptively breaks continuous residence) and no extended pattern of absences. Physical presence requires being in the US for at least half of the required residence period. The process involves: filing Form N-400 with USCIS, a biometrics appointment, a citizenship interview with English and civics tests, and a naturalization ceremony for the oath of allegiance. US citizenship confers the right to vote, a US passport, the ability to sponsor a broader range of family members, and freedom from deportation.
The path from green card to citizenship requires tracking residency and travel over years — and mistakes can reset the clock. An immigration attorney or consultant can confirm your eligibility, advise on trips that could jeopardize continuous residence, and prepare you thoroughly for the interview and civics test.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Reviewed March 2026