A Complete GuideShould I Apply for U.S. Citizenship?

Reason #1 To Apply For Citizenship Avoid Uncertainty In The Future

Current conditions are good for people who want to apply for U.S. citizenship. In fact, certain factors like wait times and fee assistance are better than they have been in a long time.

But it's very possible that things will change. Waiting to apply leaves you at risk for unexpected complications.

Our advice: If you are eligible, applying for citizenship now is the best way to avoid issues in the future that may make the process more difficult.

Here are some of the changes you may see in the coming months and years:

Processing Times May Increase

Right now, citizenship applications are being processed in about 5.5 months—the fastest timeline since 2016. However, processing times have gone up and down a lot in the past, sometimes extending beyond a year. Application backlogs, staffing changes, or policy shifts could cause these times to increase again without warning.

Policies and Costs May Change

The citizenship process is subject to policy changes that affect:

• Application fees and fee waiver availability
• Documentation requirements
• Interview procedures
• Resource availability at USCIS

For example, current fee assistance programs allow many families to receive significant discounts on application costs, but these programs can change. A family of four with a household income under $124,000 can currently get a 50% reduction in citizenship application fees—an opportunity that may not always be available.

Your Personal Circumstances May Shift

Life is unpredictable, and personal changes could complicate your citizenship journey:

• Your financial situations can change, affecting your ability to pay fees
• A family emergency might require extended travel abroad
• Personal health issues could make studying for the test more challenging
• Work obligations might make it harder to prepare for and complete the process

Read more about why we think now is the right time to apply

Reason #2 To Apply For Citizenship You Can Travel With Freedom And Security

Having U.S. citizenship transforms international travel from a carefully managed process into an opportunity for genuine freedom and discovery. Current benefits make this an especially valuable aspect of citizenship.

Here are the key travel benefits you'll gain as a U.S. citizen:

Extensive Visa-Free Access

A United States passport is one of the world's most powerful travel documents. With it, you will be able to travel to over 180 countries without needing a visa. This means:

• Spontaneous travel becomes possible without lengthy visa applications
• Significant cost savings on visa fees and processing
• Less paperwork and documentation requirements
• Ability to make last-minute business or personal trips

For example, planning a European vacation becomes dramatically simpler. You can travel throughout the 26 Schengen Area countries without applying for separate visas—you simply book your flight and go.

A Smoother Border Crossing And Re-entry Experience

Coming home to the United States becomes a lot easier with citizenship. You can avoid long lines when re-entering the United States, and the questions you'll be asked will be shorter and more straightforward. This makes your experience returning to the United States generally much faster and hassle-free.

No Time Limits On International Travel

Unlike permanent residents, U.S. citizens enjoy complete freedom in their international travel. You can come and go as you wish without worrying about losing your status.

• There are no limitations on time spent outside the United States
• There is no risk of losing status due to extended absences
• You do not need to maintain continuous U.S. residence

Even if you don't have plans to do extensive traveling anytime soon, the freedom to leave for extended periods can help when you are faced with unexpected circumstances. For example, you may need to return to your birth country to care for a sick family member. Or, you may find a job opportunity that requires significant time abroad.

Comprehensive Travel Security

Citizenship provides robust protections and support while traveling. Hopefully you won't ever need to take advantage of the benefits that U.S. citizens get from an embassy or consulate, but it's good to know that if something goes wrong, you have access to one of the world's most respected diplomatic networks.

Current Travel Climate

Right now, having U.S. citizenship is particularly valuable for international travelers due to:

• Increasing global mobility restrictions
• Growing complexity of international visa requirements
• Enhanced security measures at borders worldwide
• Rising demand for trusted traveler programs
• Expanding network of U.S. diplomatic services

Explore the travel benefits of citizenship

Reason #3 To Apply For Citizenship You Can Help Bring Your Family Members To The United States

One of the most meaningful things about U.S. citizenship is the ability to help family members immigrate to America. Permanent residents have some options for family reunification, but citizenship opens up a lot more opportunities to bring loved ones to the United States.

The expanded family immigration rights that come with citizenship help keep your family together and create new options for your loved ones to join you as you build a life in America.

Immediate Family Members: Parents, Your Spouse, And Children

As a U.S. citizen, you gain special privileges for bringing immediate family members to the United States:

• Your parents can be sponsored with no annual visa limits
• Spouses and unmarried children under 21 receive priority processing
• Children born abroad may automatically acquire citizenship in many cases
• No waiting period for "immediate relative" visa categories

For example, if you have elderly parents living abroad, citizenship allows you to petition for them immediately—an option not available to permanent residents at all.

Extended Family Members: Adult Children And Siblings

Citizenship also creates pathways for extended family members who otherwise might have no route to U.S. residence:

• You can petition for married children and their immediate families
• Adult children over 21 can be sponsored, whether married or unmarried
• Brothers and sisters become eligible for family-based immigration
• Your family members' spouses and minor children can be included in petitions

While these categories have waiting periods, having you as a U.S. citizen sponsor can make the difference between them having a path to U.S. residence or not having one at all.

Learn More About Bringing Your Family Closer

Reason #4 To Apply For Citizenship You Will Have More Rights And Opportunities

Becoming a U.S. citizen opens up significant opportunities for civic engagement and professional advancement that aren't available to permanent residents. These rights allow you to fully participate in American democracy and take advantage of additional career opportunities.

Full Participation in Democracy

As a U.S. citizen, you gain complete voting rights in all elections:

• You can vote in federal, state, and local elections
• You can vote for the president, both in the general election and the party primaries
• You can vote on local issues like school boards and municipal measures

For example, if your community is deciding on important issues like property tax rates or school funding, you'll have a direct say in these decisions that affect your daily life.

Enhanced Career Opportunities

U.S. citizenship expands your professional horizons:

• Access to federal government jobs requiring citizenship
• Eligibility for federal grants and contracts
• Ability to work on government projects requiring security clearance
• Opportunities in sensitive industries like defense and homeland security

Leadership and Public Service Opportunities

Citizenship opens doors to serve your community in official capacities:

• You can run for most public offices (except president and vice president)
• You become eligible for state and local government positions
• You can serve on government boards and commissions
• You gain the right to serve on federal juries

Many naturalized citizens have gone on to serve at the highest levels of government. For instance, Representative Pramila Jayapal, who became a citizen in 2000, now serves as the first South Asian American woman elected to the House of Representatives.

Financial and Educational Benefits

Citizenship can provide additional advantages:

• Access to certain federal scholarships and grants
• Eligibility for government financial aid programs
• Social Security benefits even if living abroad
• Easier qualification process for certain business loans

Current Climate for Civic Engagement

Right now is a particularly important time for civic participation due to:

• Increasing focus on local governance
• Growing importance of community involvement
• Rising number of naturalized citizens in public office
• Expanding opportunities in federal employment

Learn More About Having a Voice in Your Community's Future

Making Your Decision To Apply For Naturalization

We've covered many of the benefits of U.S. citizenship, but it's important to remember that the process requires a commitment that you need to be prepared for. It's up to you to figure out when the right time to apply is, and there are a number of things you should think about as you decide.

Are you eligible?

The most important question is, are you currently eligible to apply? Luckily, this is easy to figure out. There are multiple guides and tools that can help you learn the rules.

We've built a guide that takes you step by step through the major areas of eligibility.

The USCIS also has a guide that you can use.

One of the areas that many people have questions about is residency. You may want to read our guide explaining continuous residency and physical presence to understand the details, but generally speaking, if you haven't been out of the country for more than 6 months in the last 5 years, you shouldn't have any problems.

Can you afford the fees and other costs?

Another important thing to consider is the cost of applying for U.S. citizenship. Currently (as of February, 2025) the application fee is $760. That is in addition to any fees that you may pay for legal assistance, which we'll talk about below.

You should be aware that there are several ways to reduce the cost of your naturalization application. According to some estimates, up to 75% of applicants may qualify for some form of reduced fee.

Here are some common situations:

Filing online is a good option, but there's a catch. If you qualify for a fee waiver or a fee reduction, you won't be able to use the USCIS website to file your application. You will need to file the paper Form N-400.

Here is a calculator you can use to determine if you are eligible for a fee waiver or fee reduction.

In addition to the government fees, you may need to pay for extra help with your application. Many people choose to hire an attorney or law firm to help them make sure everything is prepared correctly. A qualified immigration lawyer can review your case, give you advice, ensure your documentation is correct, and prepare your application for you. You may expect to pay between $1,000 - $2,500 for these types of services from a traditional law firm.

You can save money by getting legal support from an online service like Clearbox that guides you through your citizenship application and answers your questions with the help of experienced attorneys. Clearbox charges a fixed price of $299.

Depending on your circumstances, there may be other options for getting legal help at a lower cost or free. Here are some resources to explore:

• Find Local Help - New Americans Campaign
• Find Legal Help - Citizenshipworks

Can you pass the English and civics test?

When you have your naturalization interview, you need to show that you can read, write, and speak basic English. You will also be asked questions testing your knowledge of the United States government and history.

Many people are nervous about this test, but here are two bits of good news:

1. 96% of applicants pass the citizenship test
2. There are many resources available for studying the civics portion of the test

If you are worried that you will not pass the English test, you may want to think about enrolling in classes. Your interview will be scheduled several months after you submit your application, so you have time to prepare.

Here are some resources to help you study for your citizenship interview:

• USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools App (iPhone | Android)
• USCIS: Civics Practice Test
• USCIS: Find an English or Citizenship Preparation Class and Naturalization Legal Services
• USAHello: A free website to help refugees and immigrants
• YouTube: Citizenship With Jackie

Do you have the documentation you need?

You must provide several pieces of evidence when you submit your application. You probably already have many of these, but you may need to request a new copy of documents that you don't have. This can take time, and may require some research.

Here are the documents that you will most likely need:

• Your Green Card (everyone needs this)
• A valid state identification card (for most people, this is a driver's license)
• A passport from your home country, if you have one
• Your birth certificate
• Tax returns or transcripts for the last 3-5 years

Unless you are a lot more organized than most people, your tax returns may be the most difficult to track down. But don't worry! You can usually get a copy of your tax return transcripts through the IRS website.

Here are the instructions for creating an account and getting copies of your tax returns.

When you apply for citizenship, you can provide your full returns or just a transcript. Either will work. We think it's best for you to use the transcripts, because they're smaller, easier for the officer reviewing your case to read, and can be downloaded as a single pdf from the IRS website.