U.S. Citizenship Requirements for 3-Year Married Permanent Resident
As a permanent resident who is married to a U.S. citizen, you are eligible for naturalization after just three years. This is a significant benefit (as it normally requires five years as a permanent resident before applying for citizenship).
To qualify, you must have lived in the U.S. continuously for the three years immediately preceding the date you file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. You must be married to a citizen the entire time; and your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for the entire time. The Immigration and Nationality Act (Section 319(a)) details all of the citizenship requirements for a 3-year permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen. We break it down in simple terms here.
An applicant for naturalization after three years of marriage to a U.S. citizen must meet the following citizenship requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years
- Have been living with your U.S. citizen spouse for at least 3 years
- Has lived within the state for at least 3 months before filing the application
- Has continuous residence in the U.S. as a permanent resident for 3 years before filing the application
- Has been physically present in the U.S. for at least 18 months out of the 3 years before filing the application
- Be able to pass the English test as well as U.S. history and government test
- Be a person of good moral character
Contact one of our experienced immigration lawyers in New York and Forest Hills, NY at 718-407-0871 or online at https://www.prizant-law.com if you need help with Permanent Residency or any other solutions to your immigration problems.
Contributed by Svetlana Prizant, Esq., an Award Winning New York Immigration Lawyer
Call or visit Prizant Law at:
Prizant Law
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