Obtaining US citizenship is one of the most sought after objectives for millions of migrants residing in the United States.
The process, known as naturalization, requires meeting a set of specific conditions established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), among which the length of legal residence constitutes the mandatory starting point.
In 2026, to qualify for naturalization, you must be a legal permanent resident and have a Green Card for at least five years.
During that time, the applicant must prove continuous residence in the United States. According to information from USCIS, an absence of more than six months can interrupt this count, unless there is a justified and duly documented cause. Additionally, physical presence must be at least 30 months within the required five-year period.
However, residence time is only one of several criteria.
The applicant must also demonstrate good moral character, basic knowledge of the English language, and pass a civics exam on United States history and government.
Added to this are the payment of an official fee, the presentation of specific documentation and, as a final step, the provision of the Oath of Allegiance.
The process applies to those who already have the Green Card and seek to take the next step towards full legal integration into the country. For some groups—such as spouses of U.S. citizens or members of the Armed Forces—there are pathways with different conditions.
Exception for spouses of citizens and military personnel
Those who are married to a US citizen can apply for naturalization after proving three years as legal permanent residents. In this case, the applicant must also demonstrate cohabitation with his or her spouse and that residence was continuous during that period, with at least 18 months of physical presence in the country.
On the other hand, service in the United States Armed Forces, whether active or as a veteran, also opens a path to naturalization. In these cases, USCIS may exempt the applicant from the usual residency deadlines, as long as military service is duly accredited.
Other requirements for 2026
In addition to the length of residence, USAGov notes that you must also be at least 18 years old, be able to read, write and speak basic English—a requirement that depends on the applicant’s age—and demonstrate good moral conduct.
Added to these requirements is the passing of a civic education exam.
On October 20, 2025, USCIS began administering the updated version of the 2025 civics exam, which tests knowledge of United States history and government. Depending on the date of submission of the application, the interested party must take the 2008 or 2025 version of the exam.
The process begins with the presentation of form N-400, which can be completed digitally or by postal mail.
For 2026, the fee is US$710 for online applications and US$760 for those submitted by mail; both amounts include biometric processing. There is a reduced fee of US$380 for people with limited income, available for paper applications only.