2. BENEFITS OF CITIZENSHIP
•Apply for permanent resident visas for close relatives
•Children (under 18) automatically become citizens
•Spouse only has to wait 3 years
•Vote in all elections
•Run for elected office
•Serve on jury
•Travel with U.S. passport
•Government employment (security clearance)
•Protection from deportation
•Dual citizenship
3. REQUIREMENTS FOR CITIZENSHIP
•Must be at least 18 years old
•Must be a lawful permanent resident for 5 years
(3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
•Have made the U.S. your continuous residence for 5
years
•Have been in the U.S. for at least half of the five
years before applying for naturalization
•Good moral character
•Attachment to the principles of the U.S.
Constitution
•Favorable disposition toward the United States
4. REQUIREMENTS FOR CITIZENSHIP
•Pass a test on speaking, understanding,
reading, and writing basic English
•Pass a U.S. history and government test
5. English & Civics Testing
Exemptions/ Waivers
50/20 or 55/15 -- Exempt from English
requirement
•Can take test and interview orally in native
language
65/20 -- Exempt from English requirement
•Can take civics test in native language from
list of 25 questions.
6. Success Rates
•84% pass on first try
•95% pass on second try
•Civics pass rate – 93%
•English pass rate – 87%
•By age: 18 – 24 99%
50 – 64 75%
7. You begin here….
THE CITIZENSHIP PROCESS
Get N-400
Collect information Notice arrives for
Fill Out Forms CIS Interview and Test
Report for Appointment
•Q’s about N400- App.
Take Pictures •Q’s about U.S. History, Gov’t
Send packet & $675 •Dictation and Reading
to CIS
CIS Reviews N-400 FAIL PASS
Waiting Period
Retest / Interview
within 90 days
OATH
Fingerprints CEREMONY
Notice arrives FAIL PASS NEW
Take Prints CITIZEN!!
Wait 1 year. Reapply
8. Naturalization Interview
Each applicant will be tested on:
1. Understanding English (everyday conversation,
N-400)
2. Content of N-400 application (personal
information, good moral character, oath
requirements)
3. U.S. History and Government (“100 questions”)
4. Ability to read in English (read selected passage)
9. SAMPLE SENTENCES FOR READING
1. I live in Portland, Maine.
2. I want to be a United States citizen.
3. She is my daughter and he is my son.
4. I drive my car to work everyday.
10. Naturalization Interview
Each applicant will be tested on:
1. Understanding English (everyday conversation)
2. Content of N-400 application (personal
information, good moral character, oath
requirements)
3. U.S. History and Government (“100 questions”)
4. Ability to read in English (read selected passage)
5. Ability to write in English (dictation)
11. SAMPLE DICTATION SENTENCES
(from actual interviews)
1. I live in Portland, Maine.
2. George Washington was the first president of
the United States.
3. My wife works outside the home.
4. The president is elected every 4 years.
12. •Teaching Citizenship
-- U.S. History and Government
(100 questions)
-- understanding the N-400
-- reading (selected passage)
-- dictation (selected sentences)
-- interview/social skills
-- test taking skills
