Thinking about applying for citizenship soon.

[AMZJ 61]

I'm in the last year of my Batchelors degree now and my husband and I have been talking about traveling for work. It would be hard for me to come back to the US if I don't apply for citizenship as well as applying for visas to work abroad.  I have a few questions about the process. 

How hard is the citizenship exam? I studied US history at university  but I'm not sure if that's enough to pass. What other steps are involved and how expensive is it? I still have a while left on my greencard before it needs to be renewed but I've been here 6 years so I think it's time to start thinking about applying. 

Thank you. 

[MASH 172]

They are very easy nothing to worry about , 

 

here are the questions they may ask, I feel if I can pass anyone can  

 

 

[Mike E 11,739]

1 hour ago, AMZJ said:

 . 

How hard is the citizenship exam?

There is an official USCIS study app for iPhone and android. Play the app for 3 hours and you will learn all the answers by rote memory. I did it in the waiting room. 
 

1 hour ago, AMZJ said:

 

how expensive is it?  

https://www.uscis.gov/feecalculator
 

[MASH 172]

1 hour ago, AMZJ said:

I'm in the last year of my Batchelors degree now and my husband and I have been talking about traveling for work. It would be hard for me to come back to the US if I don't apply for citizenship as well as applying for visas to work abroad.  I have a few questions about the process. 

How hard is the citizenship exam? I studied US history at university  but I'm not sure if that's enough to pass. What other steps are involved and how expensive is it? I still have a while left on my greencard before it needs to be renewed but I've been here 6 years so I think it's time to start thinking about applying. 

Thank you. 

For the citizenship I believe it was only $750  and you just have to show proof of 3 years of marriage …if you have been married for 3 years or had ur green card for 5 years you can apply for citizenship.

[AMZJ 61]

4 hours ago, MASH said:

They are very easy nothing to worry about , 

 

here are the questions they may ask, I feel if I can pass anyone can  

 

 

Thanks for the video,  I'll start studying ahead of time.

[AMZJ 61]

4 hours ago, Mike E said:

There is an official USCIS study app for iPhone and android. Play the app for 3 hours and you will learn all the answers by rote memory. I did it in the waiting room. 
 

https://www.uscis.gov/feecalculator
 

Thank you,  I found the app and it looks like the fee is less than I thought.  

[Wuozopo 4,293]

11 hours ago, AMZJ said:

I still have a while left on my greencard before it needs to be renewed but I've been here 6 years so I think it's time to start thinking about applying. 

 

9 hours ago, MASH said:

if you have been married for 3 years or had ur green card for 5 years you can apply for citizenship.

This is not quite correct…the part about married for 3 years.
You are eligible for citizenship when you have had the greencard 3 years if married the the same USC who sponsored you for a family based greencard. It’s a perk for spouses of USCs to be eligible at 3 years of having a greencard.

 

Anybody having a greencard for 5 years is eligible for citizenship. I believe you qualify for both. The 5 year version requires less paperwork/evidence because you don’t have to prove you are still married to the USC who brought you to the dance. You might want to get started because the wait is long. 

[discoverusa 267]

If you are able to successfully attend and complete College in US I am sure you will be able to pass civics and English test. Go for it. Good luck!

 

Best part is being done with USCIS forever. 

[da95826 387]

On 10/7/2022 at 7:30 PM, AMZJ said:

I think it's time to start thinking about applying. 

Yes you should file, you have had your green card for more than 5 years so you can apply for either under the 5 year or 3 year rule (still living if with a USA spouse for 3 years).

You will be good to file if you have not been out of the USA for 180 days or more on any one trip and have been in the USA for more than 50% of the time in the last 5 or 3 years.

You must be living at your address you use to file an n400 for 90 days or more when you file.

If you meet the requirements above you can file for naturalization. The 5 year rule for n400 is easier to file because you don’t need to prove you live with your US spouse for the past 3 years.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

On 10/8/2022 at 7:18 AM, Wuozopo said:

 

This is not quite correct…the part about married for 3 years.
You are eligible for citizenship when you have had the greencard 3 years if married the the same USC who sponsored you for a family based greencard. It’s a perk for spouses of USCs to be eligible at 3 years of having a greencard.

 

Anybody having a greencard for 5 years is eligible for citizenship. I believe you qualify for both. The 5 year version requires less paperwork/evidence because you don’t have to prove you are still married to the USC who brought you to the dance. You might want to get started because the wait is long. 

Second thread I’ve read in this forum today and second one to have this misinformation. You do not have to be married to the same USC who sponsored you for a green card. You just have to have been married to the same (ie one, not consecutive lol) USC for 3 years and have had a green card that entire 3 years. I personally know someone who got their green card through DV lottery while already having a USC spouse and naturalized through the 3 year rule.  Here is the relevant chapter from the uscis manual https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-g-chapter-3 - nowhere does it mention that you must have got the green card through marriage much less through marriage to the same person you’re basing the 3 year rule on.

 

(Also to be nit picky, “anyone” having had a green card for 5 years is not automatically eligible, as they have to meet the requirements for physical presence and continuous residence to be eligible..)

 

 

Edited October 10, 2022 by SusieQQQ

[Wuozopo 4,293]

13 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

Also to be nit picky, “anyone” having had a green card for 5 years is not automatically eligible, as they have to meet the requirements for physical presence and continuous residence to be eligible..)

Yep bad choice of word trying to keep it short and not write an essay. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

31 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Yep bad choice of word trying to keep it short and not write an essay. 

I sympathize, but details matter for N400. We have indeed seen people here thinking just the 5 years is enough and get a nasty surprise in their interview.  (This is one reason I like online filing for n400, it warns you if it looks like you may not meet the requirements.)

Edited October 10, 2022 by SusieQQQ

[Athens 101]

On 10/7/2022 at 10:30 PM, AMZJ said:

I'm in the last year of my Batchelors degree now and my husband and I have been talking about traveling for work. It would be hard for me to come back to the US if I don't apply for citizenship as well as applying for visas to work abroad.  I have a few questions about the process. 

How hard is the citizenship exam? I studied US history at university  but I'm not sure if that's enough to pass. What other steps are involved and how expensive is it? I still have a while left on my greencard before it needs to be renewed but I've been here 6 years so I think it's time to start thinking about applying. 

Thank you. 

Believe me, best decision anyone who want to be done with immigration can think of. Initially I felt I made a huge mistake by applying at the time due to long wait but now I am glad I did. Goodluck!!! 

[fornabroad 6]

I'm similar in that I want to option to move abroad without fearing losing the right to return after 6 months. The only downside I can see is the IRS requires tax returns regardless where you live and work. I believe it's not a problem in most countries as there are agreements to avoid double taxing income from work but, if you sell property and make a profit, you'll might be liable to pay capital gains in the US even though the house was in, say, London (the reason Boris Johnson gave up his US citizenship was because of this). You might like to ask a tax expert for advice on this.

 

Good luck!

[OldUser 6,663]

@fornabroad another thing, LPR is also required to file tax returns and pay capital gains worldwide. And is liable until the status is formally reliquished. But citizenship, of course, is much stronger form of US tax net entanglement.