Wednesday, 28 October 2009

The USCIS is offering free naturalization information sessions to the general public at various locations around the country.

The information sessions are aimed at providing guidance on applying for U. S Citizenship through the naturalization application process. Each free information session will cover various aspects of the topic of naturalization including

• Naturalization eligibility requirements;
• The naturalization process;
• The naturalization test; and
• The rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.

Naturalization is the pathway to obtaining U.S. citizenship for qualified legal permanent residents (i.e. Green Card Holders) who have not acquired or derived citizenship through a familial relationship. To qualify for naturalization generally applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years old and satisfy certain residence and character requirements. In addition, applicants must take fingerprints and pass an English and civics test.

Generally, legal permanent residents may apply for citizenship through naturalization after five (5) years of maintaining permanent resident status. However, legal permanent residents who gained permanent residence through marriage may apply for citizenship through naturalization after three (3) years of maintaining permanent resident status. In addition, applicants must satisfy a physical presence requirement which means that applicants must have been physically present in the U.S. for more than half of the time they are required to maintain permanent resident status. Members of the military may qualify for an exception to the physical presence and residence requirements, if the applicant has filed an application while the applicant was still in the service or within 6 months of separation.