USA Citizenship
Applying for a US Green Card, whether through an employment based EB visa or a family based US immigration service grants a successful applicant permanent residency in the USA. The Green Card, or Permanent Residence Card entitles the holder to live and work in the USA without time restrictions and to take up a position for any employer they choose.
However, permanent residency in the USA does not grant all of the rights held by US citizens, most notably the right to vote in US elections. US citizenship cannot be revoked and brings a range of benefits in addition to those enjoyed by permanent residents. As a result, those permanent residents who have been living and working in America for a sufficient period may wish to explore the possibility of applying for a grant of US citizenship.
You can find out whether you qualify for United States citizenship by completing the Global Visas online assessment form today. Just take a moment to complete the form and a specialist USA immigration consultant will respond to you.
US Citizenship - The Benefits
In addition to the right to vote in US elections which is granted to US citizens but not to permanent residents, many jobs in US Government agencies are only open to US citizens and only those with a grant of citizenship may apply for political office.
Another key benefit of US citizenship is that unlike permanent residency, it cannot be withdrawn. Although applying for a US Green Card is intended as a means to remain in the USA permanently, it may be revoked if a candidate spends too long outside the country. One of the underlying principles of US permanent residency through a Green Card application is that the candidate must intend to make the USA his or her main home. As a result, spending lengthy periods outside the country could be construed as the candidate neglecting their status as a US permanent resident. In addition, US citizens cannot be deported in the event of a criminal offence whereas permanent residents can be, even if the offence is relatively minor. As a result, the only route to truly permanent residence in the USA is through US citizenship.
Family Visas – Sponsoring Family Members Immigrating to the USA
The opportunity to sponsor a spouse or fiancé to immigrate to the USA via a K3 visa or K4 visa respectively is open to both US citizens and permanent residents, however, US citizens may sponsor other categories of relative including parents and siblings.
Applying for US Citizenship - Eligibility Requirements
Most US Citizenship applications must be made by US permanent residents who have been living in the USA for a minimum of five years after receiving their permanent residency status. However, where an applicant’s spouse is already a US citizen this requirement is reduced to three years. All candidates must have spent at least half of the residency requirement period living in America and three months of this must have been spent living in the jurisdiction where the application is being submitted.
Candidates must be aged 18 or over, and must have both proficiency in the English language and a demonstrable knowledge of the history, culture and values of the USA.
US Citizenship – Who Cannot Apply?
Some groups of people may not apply for US citizenship; even if the requirements outlined above are met, people in these groups are not permitted to become US citizens. People who hold, or have held at some time beliefs which threaten the USA will not be able to obtain a grant of US citizenship. In some cases, specific criminal offences may also prevent a candidate from applying.
Visit the Global Visas online assessment area today to take the first step toward your grant of US citizenship. Our assessment forms take just moments to complete and one of our specialist consultants will contact you directly.
