Death of Spouse before becoming U.S. Citizens

[Happy in love 1]

If there is s death of a US citizen spouse before the permanent resident reaches three year mark can you still fill paper work to become a US citizen or do have to wait for the 5 year mark?

 

Thanks

[Family 4,000]

Need to wait 5 years

[Mike E 11,739]

20 minutes ago, Happy in love said:

If there is s death of a US citizen spouse before the permanent resident reaches three year mark can you still fill paper work to become a US citizen or do have to wait for the 5 year mark?

 

Thanks

Sorry for your loss.  
 

Was your spouse serving in the armed forces?

 

 

 

[JeanneAdil 6,514]

your friend must wait

 

Immigration and Nationality Act

Under U.S. immigration law, permanent residents who have lived with their U.S. citizen spouses in the U.S. for at least three years may apply for U.S. citizenship at the end of three years. This allows spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for citizenship two years earlier than required for other permanent residents. Sadly, those individuals who have tragically lost their spouses before applying for or during their application for naturalization may not apply after three years of residence and instead wait the typically five years of residency. According the Immigration and Nationality Act: