Do I HAVE to file for N-400?

[heathere 0]

Do i have to file an N-400? I came to the USA on a K1 in 2011, married in 2012. Completed all necessary paperwork as required and received I-751 / 10 year green card in February 2015. I don't want to file for N-400 unless it's legally required. Thanks for any advice

[rutabaga 209]

Nope, you can remain being a permanent resident and just renew your GC when it's time, you don't have to become a citizen.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

No, you don;t have to become a US citizen. Simply renew your greencard every 10 years.

[Cheezees 1,514]

No. The US does not and cannot force an individual to obtain US citizenship. As advised above, just renew your 10-yr green card every 10 years.

[JimmyHou 611]

Do i have to file an N-400? I came to the USA on a K1 in 2011, married in 2012. Completed all necessary paperwork as required and received I-751 / 10 year green card in February 2015. I don't want to file for N-400 unless it's legally required. Thanks for any advice

As everyone else has said, you don't need to become a citizen. Many people choose to remain green-card holders (permanent residents) for the rest of their lives. This is usually when their home country does not allow dual citizenship and they don't want to give up their original nationality.

As others said, you'll have to renew your green card every 10 years... getting a new GC takes a few months, so plan ahead. If your GC expires, your legal status doesn't change (you'll still be a permanent resident), but you'll need a new GC to travel. Also, some places don't understand that you're still a permanent resident even with an expired 10-year GC... for example, to renew your drivers license in some states, you need to show an unexpired green card.

Remember that you can lose your green card for certain offenses or for spending too much time abroad. This is not a concern if you become a citizen (except in the case of a very limited list of situations that can lead to denaturalization).

Finally, there's no time frame for applying for naturalization as long as you meet all the requirements; you can file your N400 as soon as you meet the requirements or 20 years later. Of course, you have to still be eligible at that time and the costs will probably be significantly higher.

[heathere 0]

Nope, you can remain being a permanent resident and just renew your GC when it's time, you don't have to become a citizen.

Thank you so very much!

[heathere 0]

No, you don;t have to become a US citizen. Simply renew your greencard every 10 years.

Thank you very much

Thank you all for your speedy assurances. I kept seeing those I follow on here applying for N-400's and it was making me paranoid!

Really appreciate you confirming the situation for me.

Thank you all for your speedy assurances. I kept seeing those I follow on here applying for N-400's and it was making me paranoid!

Really appreciate you confirming the situation for me.