Many foreigners come to the United States with the hope of a more stable life and with the goal of obtaining U.S. citizenship.
Naturalization allows not only to remain legally and permanently in the country, but also to access fundamental rights such as voting in federal elections, petitioning for family members and obtaining greater security in the event of immigration changes. However, one of the main requirements to initiate this process is the length of residence.
Residency requirements for U.S. citizenship
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that the length of residency varies depending on the status of each applicant.
Generally speaking, green card holders must have lived in the United States for at least five years prior to filing their application.
On the other hand, spouses of U.S. citizens have a lesser requirement: three years of continuous residence, provided that the marriage has also been in effect for three years.
The USCIS states that the length of residency varies according to each applicant’s situation. Photo: X/@BusinessVisaHub
These deadlines are the basis, but may be extended due to administrative processes or delays in immigration procedures.
In fact, the actual average time migrants spend before attaining citizenship is often longer.
How long migrants take on average
According to USCIS data for fiscal year 2022, applicants who ultimately obtained naturalization had resided in the country for an average of 7.5 years.
This period is longer than the formal requirement due to delays, backlog of applications and other security checks.
Waiting time varies significantly depending on the country of origin. For example:
Applicants from Mexico had the longest period of time, with an average of 10.9 years before becoming citizens.
Applicants from Nigeria achieved citizenship in the shortest time, averaging 5.4 years.
Among Latino migrants, times tend to be longer due to factors such as the volume of applications, economic status and history of stay in the country.
This panorama reflects that, although the formal requirement establishes five years of residency, in practice migrants, especially Latinos, often wait several years longer to achieve U.S. citizenship.
Other requirements you must meet
The length of residence is only one of the steps. In order to apply for naturalization, migrants must:
File form N-400, which is the application for naturalization.
Wait for notification from USCIS to register your biometric data, such as fingerprints and photograph.
Go through an official interview with an immigration officer.
Take and pass the English test, which evaluates comprehension and basic writing.
Pass the civics exam, which includes questions on U.S. history, government and values.
In case of failing either test, applicants have a second chance. However, passing both tests is indispensable to receive citizenship.
Citizenship in the United States and its importance for Latinos
For many Latino immigrants, citizenship in the United States represents much more than a document: it is a guarantee of stability and the possibility of building a future in the country.
According to the Pew Research Center, more than 23 million Latinos were eligible to vote in the 2024 elections, reflecting how naturalization has become a key pathway to increasing political representation for these communities.
In addition, citizenship opens up opportunities for employment in the public sector, access to certain federal benefits and the peace of mind of not facing deportation due to changes in immigration policies.
In a context where President Donald Trump’s administration has tightened several migration-related measures, obtaining citizenship is perceived as an essential protective step.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
