Aspiring to become a United States citizen is a goal for a number of immigrants and green card holders. However, this process is not easy by any means and can take a number of years to complete, not including time spent on preparing for the various stages of a citizenship application. Learning everything there is to know about becoming a U.S. citizen, including how to prepare for the final interview, can help you to succeed in your application.
Benefits of Becoming a United States Citizen
Before diving into the process of applying to be a United States citizen, you may be wondering if pursuing citizenship is even right for you. There are a number of key benefits that citizenship brings to individuals, with the most important being:
- The right to vote in the United States democratic process
- Automatic citizenship for any children you may have
- The ability to bring family members to the United States
- You will be eligible for government jobs
- You can freely travel to and from the United States
- You will have protection from deportation
- It is less expensive to become a citizen than to continuously renew your Visa or Green Card
How Do You Become a United States Citizen?
Becoming a United States citizen is not a process that is completed overnight. In fact, green card holders are only eligible for citizenship after five years, with that amount of time being reduced to three years if that person is married to a U.S. citizen. Given this, learning how the process works can help a person understand what they need to do:
- You will start by determining if you are eligible for citizenship, i.e. being over 18 years of age and having held a green card for five years
- Submit a form N-400 citizenship application form (sometimes called a naturalization form)
- Submit background check information, such as fingerprint scans, if applicable
- Have your interview scheduled at a later date
- Prepare for the interview and the citizenship English and Civics test
- Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States
- Receive documentation of citizenship
While the above seems relatively simple to complete when written out in a number of steps, it’s a challenging process for many. Despite this, hundreds of thousands of new people become citizens through naturalization on a yearly basis, which means it’s more than achievable with the right preparation.
Preparing for the Citizenship Test: 5 Tips for Success
While the citizenship test can be challenging, not to mention the added unknown difficulty of the new citizenship test coming in 2024, it is absolutely passable with the right preparation. The following five tips can help any individual get plenty of practice prior to their interview for citizenship:
- Take practice exams ahead of time
One of the best ways to prepare for the questions you may be asked during your citizenship interview is to take practice exams. By exposing yourself to the potential English and U.S. history-based questions you may be asked, you can have a better chance at getting the answer correct.
There are over 128 potential questions that may be asked by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services group, but the best practice tests will give you access to each of these questions, so you know what to expect.
- Divide your studying by subject
When it comes to the citizenship test, it’s best to divide up your time based on the different sections of the test. Notably, there is the English and Civics sections of the test. The English section is broken down into three components: speaking, reading, and writing. Focus on practicing your weak point first and saving your strongest for last.
However, the second section of the test, Civics, will cover U.S. history and government topics. For many, this may actually be the hardest part of the exam. Focus on the parts you are concerned for most before moving on to the others.
- Find ways to practice in your free time
Practice makes perfect when it comes to a test like the citizenship. If you’re waiting for a coffee in a shop, pull out your phone and review some questions that you know may be on the test. Alternatively, focus on integrating your studying into your other daily activities, even if it’s just cleaning around the house or making food.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
You’re not alone on your journey towards citizenship. Reach out to your friends and family for assistance. Have them quiz you on various questions and ask them if they know the answers to any that you may be stumped on. At the end of the day, it’s important to lean on your connections who can help you prepare to pass the test.
- Know what you’re going into
Above all, you need to know what you’re going into when preparing for the citizenship test. Understand all of the potential questions that you may be asked and review how the standard interview is conducted. This can help to reduce nerves that you may feel in the moment, which can potentially cause you to make a silly mistake that you wouldn’t otherwise. Knowing what the test is going to be like gives you an advantage but knowing how the entire process works takes it a step further.
With the right preparation, anybody can succeed on their journey to citizenship. While it will be tough, the moment you are standing and taking your Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America will make it all worth it.
Launch your journey to citizenship today
Applying and becoming a U.S. citizen after years of holding your green card and immigrating to the United States is a noteworthy accomplishment. While the process is difficult, the benefits that full-fledged citizenship brings are more than worth it. Take the time to properly prepare before beginning your application to give yourself the best chance possible at securing your citizenship.
