Application conditions for American citizens

The requirements for applying for American citizenship are as follows:

1. You must live in the United States continuously for five years after obtaining permanent residency.

This is the minimum residence period for naturalization (except for those married to American citizens). Within five years, you can't leave the United States for more than six months in a row. If it is more than half a year, you must provide proof that you have no intention of giving up your right of abode in the United States. Therefore, it is necessary to extend the naturalization application time accordingly and recalculate the residence time in the United States.

2. Applicants for naturalization must be at least 18 years old.

Foreigners under the age of 16 who have the right of permanent residence in the United States and whose parents have acquired American citizenship can automatically acquire American citizenship with their parents. However, children aged between 16 and 18 must apply for naturalization independently. If the child is under the age of 18, one of the parents is an American citizen and the other is a foreigner, before the child is under the age of 18, the parent with American citizenship will apply for naturalization on his behalf.

You must have basic English reading, listening, speaking and writing skills.

Must have a certain understanding of American history, constitution and immigration law. Immigration officials will conduct an oral examination (interview) when examining the eligibility for naturalization. Applicants for naturalization should answer the history of the United States and the collapse of the American government in English, mainly the important events, figures, government organizations and rights in American history, as well as the principles and important amendments of the American Constitution.

You must behave well during your five years in America.

According to the relevant laws of the United States, adultery, prostitution, bigamy, or failure to perform maintenance obligations, as well as alcoholism and drug abuse, are all bad behaviors and cannot be naturalized.

Applicants for citizenship must give up their original nationality.

Legal basis: Article 3 of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China. People's Republic of China (PRC) does not recognize dual citizenship of China citizens. Therefore, if you want to apply for American citizenship, you must give up your China citizenship.