How Long Does It Take to Become an American Citizen?

For many people arriving in the United States, the end goal is clear: Become a citizen. With citizenship, you gain many new rights and privileges. Citizens cannot be deported, and they can run for office. More importantly, they never have to worry about renewing their permanent residency cards – and their children automatically become citizens as well. Whether you’ve been in the United States for several years or you arrived within the past few weeks, you might be wondering how long it will take to become an American citizen. The answer depends on numerous factors, and you might want to discuss them with an experienced Palm Beach County immigration lawyer.

Immigrants Are Becoming Citizens Faster Than Ever Before 

According to a New York Times article published in August of 2024, immigrants are becoming citizens at the “fastest clip in decades.” They note that the federal government is now ramping up its efforts to tackle the considerable backlog of citizenship applications, and they are making progress. The article seemed to imply that this rush is motivated by the upcoming election. The suggestion is that the current administration believes that more immigrant voters will vote favorably in the next election.

Whatever the reason might be, this is certainly something that many immigrants are taking advantage of – including those in Florida. One individual from Honduras told the New York Times that her request for citizenship had been processed and approved in less than six months. This individual had married a US citizen back in 2018 – shortly after arriving in the country. In other words, it took her about six years to gain full citizenship.

In reality, you can become a citizen at an even faster rate if you marry a US citizen. Generally speaking, you can gain full citizenship three years after marrying an American citizen. The report notes that the average citizenship application speed is about five months. 3.3 immigrants have gained citizenship during Biden’s tenure.

The Speed of Citizenship Depends on Your Visa 

Some pathways to citizenship are easier than others. Aside from marrying a United States citizen, you may also enjoy expedited citizenship processing if you serve in the United States military. If you choose the “default” visa option, it usually takes about five years to become a citizen. Another potential pathway is by proving that you should have been granted citizenship at birth. In order to explore these options, it might be best to speak with a lawyer.

Find an Experienced Palm Beach County Immigration Lawyer 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced Palm Beach County immigration lawyer, consider a consultation with The Devore Law Group. We have guided numerous migrants toward full citizenship, and we can do the same for you. While your pathway toward citizenship may depend on your unique situation, it is an achievable end goal for virtually anyone. Reach out today to continue this important discussion in more detail.

Sources: 

nytimes.com/2024/08/12/us/immigration-us-citizenship-rates.html

usa.gov/become-us-citizen