The United States of America was built on the foundation of immigrants who have played an instrumental role in shaping the country’s economy, culture, and values. Today, becoming a U.S citizen is one of the most sought-after goals for North Carolina residents and migrants alike. With a U.S passport, citizens have the right to vote, participate in government, and receive federal benefits. However, not everyone qualifies for U.S citizenship. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at who is eligible to become a U.S citizen and the requirements they must meet.
1. Legal Permanent Resident Status:
The first requirement to become a U.S citizen is to have Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status or a "Green Card." Legal Permanent Residents are individuals who have been authorized to live and work in the U.S on a permanent basis. To qualify, an applicant must typically wait for five years after receiving their Green Card before applying for citizenship. However, there is an exception in some cases for those who are married to a U.S citizen or in the military.
2. Age and Residence:
The next requirement is age and residence. The applicant must be at least 18 years old and must have continuously resided in the U.S for at least five years and have been physically present in the country for at least 30 months in the last five years.