Why Become a US Citizen? 5 Good Reasons
Citizenship, is it worth it?
You may be feeling pretty content with your green card and your legal permanent resident status.
After all, you can live and work in the US for as long as you want.
To become a citizen, you’d have to go through a significant process and pay an expensive fee.
But what are the benefits of US citizenship and why might you want to consider upgrading your status to naturalized citizen?
What are benefits of becoming a US citizen?
- Becoming a citizen means you can never be removed from the United States
(unless you committed fraud to achieve your citizenship)
Your green card supposedly gives you “permanent resident” status in the US. However, your residency is actually not guaranteed unless you become a naturalized citizen.
Your green card can be taken away, and you can be removed from the United States, if, for example, you stay outside of the US for too long, or you commit certain crimes.
Once you’re a US Citizen, your status can no longer be taken away. It will last for your lifetime.
As a naturalized US citizen, you can stay abroad as long as you wish, and still keep your citizenship.
You will never again have to deal with USCIS, or renew your green card, or pay renewal fees in order to remain in the US. - You can quickly bring your bring family members to live in the United States
As a US citizen, you can apply to have your immediate family members admitted to the US as permanent residents with no waiting period.
Your spouse, parents, and unmarried children under age 21 are designated as immediate family members.
They can come to the US relatively quickly after you file a Form I-130. (You must file one I-130 form for each immediate relative you want to bring to the US)
The timeline until your family can travel to the US will be approximately 10-14 months.
Other relatives can join you too, but they will have to wait for availability. This can take several years. - International travel is easier with a US Passport
As a citizen of the United States, you’re eligible for a US passport which provides visa-free travel to many countries.
Crossing borders is both easier and faster with a passport than with a green card. - You Can Help Shape the Future by Voting
Participating in elections is one of the key freedoms and responsibilities of the American people.
When you vote, you are empowered to influence important American policy decisions about things like healthcare, education, immigration, taxes, and the political system. - You’ll Be Eligible for Student Financial Aid
When you’re a US Citizen, you can apply for financial aid, grants, and college scholarships to help you pursue your educational and career goals.
When am I eligible for citizenship?
You are eligible to apply for Naturalization (citizenship) after:
- 5 continuous years of being a green card holder, or
- 3 years of being a green card holder, if you’re married to a US Citizen
Would you like assistance to:
- become a US citizen,
- decide whether citizenship is the right choice for you, or
- bring your relatives to join you in the US?
Alaska Immigration Law Center & US Immigration Law Center can help! Contact us to set up an initial consultation.