Filing for Citizenship - Basic Questions

[Chad209 0]

Hi All,

My wife (from Philippines) has been here in US married to me for over 3 years now and we want to file for citizenship.

I work a lot of hours and don't have much time to research so if someone can help answer some of these questions it would be a great help.

What benefits are there from moving to citizen versus permanent resident?

Is there an option when filing for dual citizenship?

I understand there will be a history test to take...is there a place to find the questions or sample of questions and which topics to study?

How long does it take from filing to receiving citizenship normally?

Thanks much!

[payxibka 10,047]

Hi All,

My wife (from Philippines) has been here in US married to me for over 3 years now and we want to file for citizenship.

I work a lot of hours and don't have much time to research so if someone can help answer some of these questions it would be a great help.

What benefits are there from moving to citizen versus permanent resident?

Is there an option when filing for dual citizenship?

I understand there will be a history test to take...is there a place to find the questions or sample of questions and which topics to study?

How long does it take from filing to receiving citizenship normally?

Thanks much!

You don't "file" for dual citizenship... the question is do both countries recognize dual nationality... answer depends on which two countries are involved

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

Guide to Naturalization

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

We all work a lot. The process is applicant driven and if your wife wants to do it... you need to invest them time required....

[Kathryn41 3,205]

As Payxibka said, the best place to start is here: http://www.uscis.gov...ticle/M-476.pdf "The Guide to Naturalization" . Print it out and read it in the time you do have available. Just because your wife has been here as a Permanent Resident for 3 years doesn't mean that you have to file right away for citizenship. You can take the time you need to study the information and if you decide to pursue citizenship, can file then. That is part of the luxury of being a 10 year permanent resident - you don't have to march to the USCIS' drumbeat the same way anymore .

Dual citizenship isn't something that the US recognizes, but it happens because the country of the original citizenship doesn't cancel the original citizenship when the applicant becomes an American citizen. To the US, the person is only an American citizen, even though they may also have citizenship elsewhere. The US cannot tell another country that someone is no longer a citizen of that country so what happens is in fact 'dual citizenship".

Only you and your wife can determine the benefits of her obtaining US citizenship vs remaining a permanent resident. Some of the ones you may find useful is that the IRS taxes estates differently for permanent residents than US citizens (not favourably); if you ever wish to live outside of the US a citizen can do that but a permanent resident can't; you don't have to advise USCIS of your residence location every time you move, nor obtain a new green card every 10 years; you can vote and run for political office if you are so inclined; a US citizen is eligible for certain benefits and means tested levels of support that Permanent Residents can't use - there are others but those are the main ones.

Anyway, do read over the N-400 form and its instructions as well as the link above. All of the information about the Civics exam is available at the USCIS website: http://www.uscis.gov...000b92ca60aRCRD including the test questions and answers.

Citizenship seems to go faster than the other immigration processes - generally about 3 to 4 months from start to finish, although sometimes there can be a longer delay waiting for the actual oath ceremony to take place.

Good luck.

Edited June 25, 2010 by Kathryn41