You don’t have to wait until you’ve had a green card for five years to apply for citizenship through the process known as naturalization. Assuming you stay married to and living with your U.S. citizen spouse the whole time, you can apply for citizenship three years after obtaining a green card.

Can my spouse come to the United States to live while the visa petition is pending?

Can My Spouse Come to the United States to Live While the Visa Petition Is Pending? If you are a U.S. citizen, once you file Form I-130, your spouse is eligible to apply for a nonimmigrant K-3 visa. This will entitle him or her to come to the United States to live and work while the visa petition is pending.

What is the benefit of being married to a U.S. citizen when applying for citizenship?

If you’re an alien married to a U.S. citizen, you enjoy an unusual benefit: Instead of spending five years as a lawful permanent resident before applying to naturalize, you need to spend only three years; so long as you were married to, and living with the U.S. citizen for the entire three years.

Can a US passport be used as proof of citizenship?

By law, a valid unexpired U.S. passport (or passport card) is conclusive (and not just prima facie) proof of U.S. citizenship, and has the same force and effect as proof of United States citizenship as certificates of naturalization or of citizenship, if issued to a U.S. citizen for the full period allowed by law.

Can a US citizen with an expired passport return to the US?

If you are overseas and your passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, you may be able to use your expired passport to return directly to the United States until December 31, 2021. You qualify for this exception if all the following are true: You are a U.S. citizen. You are currently abroad seeking direct return to the United States.

How long does a passport have to be valid in the US?

Passport validity and the least six month rule. The requirement that a passport is valid for travel for six months beyond the holder’s stay in the United States is waived for certain nationalities, including British Citizens. Please visit 9 FAM 403.9 for more information .

Where does the United States get its passports from?

United States passports are passports issued to citizens and nationals of the United States of America. They are issued exclusively by the U.S. Department of State. Besides passports (in booklet form), limited use passport cards are issued by the same government agency subject to the same requirements.