About USA Citizenship

U.S. citizenship grants rights and protection around the world.

U.S. citizenship is a valuable asset, granting the holder the right to live and work in the U.S. unconditionally. It also grants the holder certain rights and privileges, such as the ability to bring family members to the U.S. and voting rights. When abroad, U.S. citizens can seek advice and assistance from a U.S. Embassy.

Applying for Citizenship

Citizenship can be acquired through birth, however, if this is not the case, a person must naturalize to become a U.S. citizen. Generally, naturalization requires a period of qualifying residence as a permanent resident in the U.S. before the application can be made. Once the application is approved, the applicant must swear an oath of allegiance to the U.S. and he is granted a naturalization certificate proclaiming his new U.S. citizenship.

Petitioning For Relatives

U.S. citizens have the ability to submit a petition to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services on behalf of their foreign relatives that, when granted, will allow these relatives to apply for visas to the U.S. The citizen acts as a sponsor for her family member. Certain classes of family-based visas, such as the K-1 which allows a foreign fiancee to come to the U.S., are open to petitions from only U.S. citizens.

Living In The U.S.

U.S. citizenship grants the right to live and work in the U.S. without restriction. A U.S. citizen does not have to maintain residency in the U.S. to retain status in the U.S. and can work for any employer. Citizenship also grants the right to vote in federal elections and to hold some public offices, allowing citizens to make a difference to the country.

Children and Citizenship

Citizenship can be passed to children of U.S. citizens, however this is not always a given. The minor children of U.S. citizens who are born in the U.S.to at least one U.S. citizen parent are generally granted U.S. citizenship automatically. Children born abroad to U.S. citizens may have to meet additional requirements to be eligible.

Traveling as a Citizen

U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for a U.S. passport. This allows them to travel as U.S. citizens. Citizens of the U.S. can travel freely into and out of the U.S. without restriction. They can also seek assistance from U.S. embassies and consulates while abroad.

References

• USCIS: Citizenship Through Naturalization
• USCIS: Becoming a U.S. Citizen: An Overview of the Naturalization Process
• USCitizenshipInfor: Children