when is the right time to apply for citizenship?

[jean&chard 0]

Hi everyone.

my question is,,when is the right time to apply for citizenship?

we've been here for 3 & a half yrs and wants to be a USC badly....

can we apply months before our 5th year ?

and what is the 1st step?.

can anyone give me some guidelines or links please

thanks!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Spouses can apply after three years of becoming permanent residents.

[raymaga 25]

If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, then you only have to wait for 3 years after becoming a Permanent Resident.

[jean&chard 0]

i'm single. and have the PR (3 yrs)

we got here because of my grandmother's petition( as an immigrant )

anyone know if my mom can apply for citizenship since she's a daughter and petition by a USC?

or its only apply for a spouse of a USC?

in that case maybe we have to wait a little bit....

any one can tell me some links about the guidelines in how to apply?

please. thanks

Edited July 11, 2008 by jean&chard

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Check the guides, there's probably information about time lines there.

I think it's five years for all non-spouses; but then again, I am not there yet!

[lucyrich 20]

Check the guides, there's probably information about time lines there.

I think it's five years for all non-spouses; but then again, I am not there yet!

It's generally five years for non-spouses unless you qualify for some other reason, like military service.

The detailed answers are all in the M-476. In particular, there's a table starting on page 18.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

Note that, whether applying on the basis of the five year requirement or the three year requirement, you can generally send the paperwork in 90 days before fulfilling the continuous residence requirement, as long as you meet all the other requirements when you send your paperwork in.

Edited July 11, 2008 by lucyrich

[jean&chard 0]

thank u guys!!!

thanks LUCYRICH

GodBless you all!

[NickD 202]

Perhaps the theme song for the USCIS should be from that James Bond movie, On Her Majesties Secret Service, We Have All The Time in the World.

One hundred years ago, only took approximately three months from the time an immigrant arrived here to become a US citizen, now you have to show the permanent residence status for at least three years if you are married to a US citizen spouse or five years if you are not. And you do not get permanent residency in three months either, normally takes much longer than a year.

It's difficult to find the history of sponsorship, when it started, but racism has always been a part of the system, at one time before and during WWII zero Chinese were permitted to enter, but after WWII that was drastically increased to 105 Chinese per year and apparently the INS didn't care much for the Irish or the Italians. Natives from South American countries weren't exactly welcomed either until the mid-80's, I have no idea who or for what reason these quotas are set. Could very well be the prejudices of our leaders at the time.

But in regards to race or origin, when a US citizen marries an alien, the number of immigrants is essentially unlimited. But the USCIS admits that race, ethnic background, and country of origin plays a very important role in processing time, even with marriage applications. Why should they even ask these questions on practically all of the immigration forms?

Other questions they want answered is your address and employment history, seems like where you live and if you are paying taxes affects your processing times, and a key form of evidence is sending in your tax returns. And they also want to know in that three or five year period, actually no limit on this, if you have been good or naughty, even have to report if you were stopped for a burnt out light bulb on your vehicle. A lamp bulb can burn out at anytime, even a brand new one, especially a brand new one Made in China.

Ha, they even want to know if you even thought about committing a crime or if you did and got away with it. In regards to sponsorship, I am surprised they do not ask you if you ever received or applied for food stamps or any other government or private aid.

Not sure why America was once called the great melting pot when our immigration system always has been biased.