U.S. naturalization
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can apply for U.S. citizenship on Form N-400 after 5 years of permanent residence, or 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen. Members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces have special routes with reduced requirements and no fee. Applicants take an English test and a civics test at an interview; applications filed on or after 20 October 2025 use the new 2025 civics test.
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're not a US citizen and you've been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you can't enter the United States. This includes green card holders. The US government renewed this on 11 October 2026 for another 30 days.
CDC Order: Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons... (order history) Federal Register 2026-18948 (Sept 16, 2026 continuation) CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas (updated Sep 11, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
Anyone who has been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, Americans included, can't board a commercial flight to the United States. US citizens are asked to wait outside DR Congo for 21 days before flying.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC Travel Health Notice Level 2: Ebola Bundibugyo in DRC and Uganda (reviewed Aug 28, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Health screening after a stay in Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
US citizens who have been in Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days must fly into Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK for a health check, and get text-message check-ins for 21 days.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC: Enhanced Ebola Airport Screening Begins at Washington-Dulles Checked October 19, 2026
Life in United States
Money
3
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Cost of living
100
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–37%
Income tax (national)
social security 7.65%
Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#22 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Green card holders who meet the residence, physical presence and good moral character requirements, including spouses of U.S. citizens and military service members.
Eligibility
Age5-year and 3-year routes
You must be at least 18 years old when you file Form N-400.
18 years
Minimum age
Official wording
You must be at least 18 years old when you file Form N-400.
Permanent residence: 5 yearsGeneral 5-year route (INA 316)
You need 5 years as a lawful permanent resident, with continuous residence for those 5 years immediately before filing.
Time required (5-year route)
- Permanent residenceat least
- 5 years
- Continuous residence
- 5 years
- Earliest filingbefore completing the period
- 90 days
- You may file up to 90 days before you complete the continuous residence period.
Official wording
You must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years, with continuous residence for those 5 years immediately before filing. You may file up to 90 days before you complete the continuous residence period.
Physical presence: 30 monthsGeneral 5-year route (INA 316)
Show you were physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months of the 5 years before filing.
Physical presence (5-year route)
- Time in the U.S.
- 30 months
- Period checkedimmediately before filing
- 5 years
Official wording
You must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months of the 5 years immediately before filing.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementSpouse of a U.S. citizen: 3 years
- Document checklistForm N-400, Application for Naturalization (edition 01/20/25)
- FeesN-400 filing fee – online
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 8 more requirements
- 12 documents
- 6 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in United States
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- USCIS – I am a lawful permanent resident of 5 years (updated 03/16/2026)
- USCIS – I am married to a U.S. citizen (updated 11/18/2020)
- USCIS – Form N-400 (updated 06/16/2026)
- USCIS – Fee schedule G-1055
- USCIS – Form N-400 filing fees fact sheet
- USCIS – 2025 Civics Test (updated 09/17/2025)
- Federal Register – Notice of Implementation of 2025 Naturalization Civics Test (18 Sept 2025)
- USCIS – The naturalization interview and test (updated 10/31/2025)
- USCIS – Exceptions and accommodations (updated 01/09/2026)
- USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 12 Part G Ch. 2 – Spouses of U.S. citizens
- USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 12 Part E Ch. 3 – Medical disability exception
- USCIS Policy Memo PM-602-0188 – Restoring a good moral character evaluation standard (15 Aug 2025)
- USCIS Policy Alert – Good moral character, unlawful voting and false claim (29 Aug 2025)
- USCIS Policy Alert PA-2026-10 – Investigations and examinations for naturalization eligibility (24 Aug 2026)
- USCIS – Military naturalization guidance update
- USCIS – Court order on hold policies
- USCIS – Historic processing times
Other routes to United States
- Visit & tourismB-1/B-2 visitor visa
- StudyF-1 Academic Student
- Work permitsE-1 Treaty Trader
- Permanent residenceDiversity Immigrant Visa Program
- FamilyImmigrant Visa for Spouse of a US Citizen
- Investors & entrepreneursEB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
