12 Ways to Become a Citizen of the US in 2025 Easy to Hard Level

The 12 Ways to become a Citizen of the US and Difficulties to get citizenship in the US. How much time, and cost are required, and how complex is this process?

Ways by Difficulty Level

Easy Pathways To Become a Citizen

These options have fewer requirements and shorter timelines for eligible applicants.

1. To be a Citizen by Birth:
   • Eligibility: If you were born in the US.
   • Timeframe: Immediately upon birth.
   • Notes: The U.S. is one of the few countries that provide citizenship on birthright.
2. Get Citizenship Through Parents
   • Eligibility: Child of U.S. citizens born abroad.
   • Timeframe: Immediate upon proof of lineage.
   • Notes: Must meet residency and parents’ documentation requirements.
3. Naturalization for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
   • Eligibility: You have to get married to a U.S. citizen for citizenship and have to live in the U.S. for 3 years as a green card holder.
   • Timeframe: Normally you need 3 to 5 years.
   • Notes: Must pass the citizenship test and meet language requirements.
4. By Adoption of Minors of U.S. Citizens
   • Eligibility: Get Citizenship if a Child is adopted by U.S. citizens under 18.
   • Timeframe: You get Citizenship immediately upon completion of adoption and residency requirements.
   • Notes: Covered under the Child Citizenship Act (2000).

Moderate Pathways

These pathways require more effort, time, or financial investment to get citizenship in the UK.

1. Get Citizenship by Employment-Based Immigration (EB Categories)
   • Eligibility: Individuals sponsored by a U.S. employer or those in specialized professions (e.g., EB-1 for extraordinary talent).
   • Timeframe: You require 5–10 years for permanent residency, and get citizenship after 5 more years.
   • Notes: This pathway requires a green card first, and specific visas (H-1B, L-1) may lead to it.
2. Get Citizenship by Military Service
   • Eligibility: Non-citizens can get citizenship by serving in the U.S. military.
   • Timeframe: Accelerated citizenship within 1 year of honorable service.
   • Notes: You Must be physically and mentally fit and pass the citizenship test.
3. Get Citizenship by Investment-Based Immigration (EB-5 Visa)
   • Eligibility: You have to invest a minimum of $800,000 in a targeted U.S. business.
   • Timeframe: After 5–6 years you get permanent residency, then citizenship after 5 years.
   • Notes: Popular for high-net-worth individuals; dual benefits of green card and eventual citizenship.
4. Get Citizenship by Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery)
   • Eligibility: Only citizens of these countries with low immigration rates are eligible for the Diversity Visa.
   • Timeframe: 2–3 years (lottery application and processing).
   • Notes: About 55,000 visas are awarded yearly; highly competitive.

Hard Pathways

These pathways are very difficult due to strict criteria, longer timelines, or unpredictable outcomes.

1. Get Citizenship by Family-Based Sponsorship (Other Relatives)
   • Eligibility: Your family members (U.S. citizens) or green card holders can help you to get citizenship in the U.S.
   • Timeframe: It requires 10–20 years depending on the family relationship and applicant’s country of origin.
   • Notes: Limited visa availability leads to long wait times.
2. Get Citizenship by Asylum or Refugee Status.
   • Eligibility: Individuals facing persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinion.
   • Timeframe: They get a green card in 1 year and get citizenship after 5 years.
   • Notes: It requires strong proof and also approval from U.S. immigration authorities.
3. Get Citizenship by SIVs (Special Immigrant Visas)
   • Eligibility: The people who worked for the U.S. government in other countries (e.g. translators in Iraq and many other fields of work).
   • Timeframe: They get a Green Card normally in 1 to 2 years and get citizenship after 5 years.
   • Notes: Limited availability and this process takes a long time.
4. Get Citizenship by Undocumented Immigrants Seeking
   • Eligibility: You can apply by a program like DACA or immigration forms.
   • Timeframe: Depends on legislative updates.
   • Notes: No clear pathway unless specific reforms are implemented.