We know the process of applying for citizenship can be overwhelming. There is a lot to learn and the process isn't easy. Here is a list of the most common questions that come up when applying for U.S. citizenship. If you have any additional questions or concerns, reach out to the TrueVisa team at help@truevisa.com.
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In order to become a US citizen, you:

We would love to help you with your U.S. citizenship application. The TrueVisa team has experiences with millions of immigration cases and would be happy to help you!

Your time as a Permanent Resident began on the date you were granted permanent resident status. This date is on your Permanent Resident Card listed as “Resident since XXX”.

As part of the continuous physical presence requirement, you must be able to show that you were not outside of the U.S. for more than 1 year at a time during the qualification period. If you were, the continuous presence requirement is not met, and your naturalization clock must be restarted. If you were outside the US for more than 6 months but less than 1 year, you must be prepared to prove you did not abandon your permanent residency during that period. This can be shown be demonstrating you applied for a re-entry permit, that you maintained your US bank accounts, paid your US taxes, and maintained property in the US.

If you were outside the US for more than a year, then you cannot apply for citizenship until 4 years and 1 day after you have returned to the US to continue your residence. If you are applying based on marriage to a US citizen spouse, then it is 2 years and one day after returning.

If you are being sent abroad to work for a US company or one of its subsidiaries, then you may be eligible to preserve your residence if you have been physically present in the US for at least 365 days at the time you submit the N-470 Application.

If your USC spouse is working for a US company and that US company is sending him or her abroad for a temporary assignment, you may qualify for expedited naturalization. You should contact an attorney to assist with this type of application.

You should use an “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400). You may download the form here.

USCIS requires you to be a “person of good moral character” during your 5 year qualification period. This generally means you cannot have committed a crime during the 5 year or 3 year period. If you have been arrested at any time (whether or not you have been convicted), you should speak to an attorney before applying for naturalization.

Please find the document checklist here.

Yes. You should contact your personal tax advisor and sort out any outstanding tax issues before applying for naturalization.

At TrueVisa, we are more than happy to help you with the U.S. citizenship process. However, if you would like to do it on your own, you can self-prepare a USCIS form and mail it in or you can use the USCIS e-file. Where you file depends on where you currently live.

The current fee is $595 plus an $80 biometrics fee. To ensure you are filing with the most current amount, please always check before filing.

You may the fee with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank payable to the Department of Homeland Security. Do not use the initials DHS or USDHS. Do not send cash.

If you have to miss your interview, you should write the office where your interview is to be conducted as soon as possible (and before the appointment date) and ask to have your interview rescheduled. Rescheduling an interview may add several months to the naturalization process, so make all attempts to attend your original interview date. If you miss your scheduled interview without notifying USCIS, your case will be closed. Unless you contact USCIS to schedule a new interview within 1 year after your case is closed, your application will be denied.

Yes. At the time of your interview, you must pass an English and Civics test.
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Every time you move, you are required by law to inform USCIS of your new address by completing Form AR-11. You must file the Form AR-11 within 10 days of your move. There is no fee to file this form.

Yes, you can provide a different name to USCIS on the N-400 Application which will be used on your Certificate of Citizenship. Please note that you will need to obtain new identification documents and Social Security card if you legally change your name.

You become a citizen as soon as you take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in a formal naturalization ceremony. In some places, you can choose to take the oath the same day as your interview. If that option is not available, or if you prefer a ceremony at a later date, USCIS will notify you of the ceremony date with a “Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony” (Form N-445).

If you cannot go to the oath ceremony, you should return the “Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony” (Form N-445) that you received to your local USCIS office. Include a letter saying why you cannot go to the ceremony. Make a copy of the notice and your letter before you send them to USCIS. Your local USCIS office will reschedule you and send you a new “Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony” (Form N-445) to tell you when your ceremony will be.

In many cases, you may reapply. If you reapply, you will need to complete and resubmit a new Form N-400 and pay the fee again. You will also need to have your fingerprints and photographs taken again. If your application is denied, the denial letter should indicate the date you may reapply for citizenship.

You may get a new Certificate of Naturalization by submitting an “Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document” (Form N-565) to USCIS. If you have one, you may use your U.S. passport as evidence of citizenship while you wait for a replacement certificate. It is strongly recommended that you apply for a passport as soon as you become a citizen.

If you apply for naturalization 6 months or more before the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card, you do not have to apply for a new card. If you apply for naturalization less than 6 months before the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card, or do not apply for naturalization until your card has already expired, you must renew your card.

If your children are under 18 at the time you become a citizen, and they are currently living with you as LPRs, they are automatically naturalized with you but will not receive a Certificate of Citizenship at that time. If they are over 18, they will have to complete a separate application. Any children born in the US will be granted citizenship by birth.

Once you are naturalized, you may obtain a U.S. passport for the child as evidence of citizenship. If the child needs further evidence of citizenship, you may submit an “Application for Certificate of Citizenship” (Form N-600) to USCIS to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship. (NOTE: A child who meets these requirements before his or her 18th birthday may obtain a passport or Certificate of Citizenship at any time, even after he or she turns 18.)