What are the residence requirements before applying for naturalization in the United States?

1. At least 18 years old.

2. Hold a green card and live in the United States for five consecutive years.

I have lived continuously for five years and actually lived for at least two and a half years.

During this period, every time you leave the United States, it will not exceed 1 year.

5. Have lived in the applying state for at least 3 months.

6. Good conduct and loyalty to the US Constitution.

7. Be able to read, speak and write basic English

8. Understand American history and government.

Second, the application process

1. Prepare and submit the N-400 form and supporting documents required for the application to the Immigration Bureau, and pay the application fee.

2. Received I-797 receipt notice

3. Received the fingerprint record notice

4. Record fingerprints at the designated immigration application support center (ASC).

5. Background check

6. Received an interview notice from the Immigration Bureau.

7. Participate in the naturalization interview

8. I passed the interview and received the N-445 naturalization oath notice.

9. Take the oath of naturalization

10. Get a citizenship card and a new passport.

Third, the application materials

N-400 application form, application letter, copy of green card, copy of passport, copy of driver's license, copy of social security card, copy of permission to return to the United States, proof of financial support for spouse or children, proof of marital history, proof of continuous residence in the United States for five years, such as American real estate license, water and electricity bill, telephone bill, credit card statement, mortgage statement, tax return for the last three years and W-2 form, etc.

Fourth, matters needing attention

An interview about naturalization.

The naturalization interview is mainly divided into three parts:

(1). The immigration officer asks questions one by one according to the questions on the N-400 form;

(2) Immigration officials ask questions about American history and government;

(3) The immigration officer reads one or several short sentences for the interviewer to dictate.

For interviewers who are not confident enough or do not know much about the examination procedures, they can ask a lawyer to accompany them in the interview so as to better pass the naturalization examination.

Note: Applicants who are 65 years old or above at the time of application and have lived in the United States for at least 20 years can choose their own mother tongue to take a 25-question civic knowledge test.

2. About "Good Behavior"

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of the United States does not define "good behavior", but lists some bad behaviors:

(1). Habitual drinking;

(2) assisting others in smuggling;

(3) illegal gambling is the main means of livelihood;

(4) Having committed a gambling crime for more than two times;

(5) Perjury for the benefit of immigration law;

(6) He violated the terms and conditions of using controlled articles;

(7) Being detained for more than 180 days for violating the law;

(8). Having an extramarital affair leads to the breakdown of the marriage relationship of others;

(9) Deliberately refusing to pay child support;

(10). Has committed a felony;

(1 1). Other defective products.

3. About "continuous residence for five years"

When submitting the application, the applicant must have lived in the United States as a legal permanent resident for at least five years. The following are some important provisions of American immigration law on continuous residence time:

(1). If the applicant leaves the United States for no more than 6 months at a time, the five-year continuous residence period required for naturalization will not be interrupted.

(2) If the applicant leaves the United States for more than six months and less than one year at a time, the five-year continuous residence period required for naturalization may be interrupted unless the applicant can give a reasonable explanation.

(3) If the applicant leaves the United States for one year or more at a time, the five-year continuous residence period required for naturalization will be interrupted. Living in the United States for five consecutive years needs to be recalculated from the date of this return to the United States.

4. About "actual residence for at least two and a half years"

During the five-year continuous residence in the United States, the applicant must have lived in the United States for at least two and a half years (30 months). This does not require the applicant to actually live in the United States for at least two and a half years at a time, as long as he/she actually lives in the United States for two and a half years within five years.

Applicants must state the exact time of each departure and entry into the United States within five years. For those applicants who have to leave the United States frequently for business reasons, it is quite difficult to meet this condition. In some cases, the examiner will accurately calculate the number of days the applicant actually lives in the United States by day.

5. About green card holders who will never be eligible for naturalization.

(1). Be in favor of overthrowing the US government or being a member of an anti-American government organization.

(2) He has been a member of * * * party member or relevant organizations of * * * Production Party (unless the applicant has left these organizations for a certain number of years or meets other requirements).

(3) desertion or evasion of conscription during the war (unless the green card holder is unconditionally pardoned or pardoned).

(4) According to the treaties signed between the United States and other countries, it is required to be exempted from military service (unless the green card holder has served in the Allies).

(5) being sentenced to deportation (unless the green card holder has served in military service under certain conditions)

6. What kind of applicants can be exempted from English test?

(1). When submitting the naturalization application, the applicant is over 50 years old and has lived in the United States for at least 20 years after becoming a legal permanent resident;

(2) When submitting the naturalization application, the applicant is over 55 years old and has lived in the United States for at least 15 years after becoming a legal permanent resident.