Naturalization is the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship, where an applicant must fulfill all requirements established by Congress in the
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). There are many ways to obtain citizenship, but the basic requirements to be met include:
- Permanent resident status for at least 5 years; and meets all other eligibility requirements, or
- An individual has been a permanent resident for 3 years or more and meets all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen;
or
- An individual has qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meets all other eligibility requirements; or
- The child of a U.S. citizen may become a citizen when the child was born outside the U.S., child is currently residing outside of the U.S., and
all other eligibility requirements are met.