The time it takes to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization generally ranges from about 6 months to 24 months, depending on various factors such as location and USCIS workload.
Typical Timeline for U.S. Citizenship Naturalization
- Residency Requirement : Before applying, you must be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 5 years, or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen
- Application Processing (Form N-400) : The processing time for the naturalization application alone averages between 5.6 months and 12 months, with some sources citing averages around 7 to 8 months, while others note it can take up to 15 months or longer depending on the USCIS office
- Biometrics Appointment : Scheduled a few weeks after application submission, typically taking about 10-30 minutes
- Citizenship Interview and Exam : Usually occurs 6 to 8 months after filing, where applicants take civics and English tests unless exempt
- Oath of Allegiance Ceremony : Scheduled a few weeks to several months after the interview, marking the final step to becoming a citizen
Summary of Overall Duration
Step| Typical Time Frame
---|---
Permanent Residency Before Applying| 3-5 years (depending on eligibility)
N-400 Application Processing| 5.6 to 15 months (average ~6-12 months)
Biometrics Appointment| Within a few weeks after filing
Citizenship Interview & Exam| 6 to 8 months after filing
Oath Ceremony| Weeks to months after interview
Overall, the entire naturalization process from application filing to oath ceremony usually takes between 6 months to 15 months , but can extend up to 18-24 months in some cases
Factors Influencing Duration
- The USCIS field office handling the case (some offices process faster than others)
- Completeness and accuracy of the application
- Applicant’s responsiveness to requests for additional information
- Eligibility for expedited processing (e.g., military service or marriage to a U.S. citizen)
In conclusion, while the average processing time after applying is about 5.6 to 12 months, the overall journey to U.S. citizenship includes the prior residency requirement and can take from several years up to two years or more depending on circumstances.
