America is one of the leading countries in economic development. Favorable conditions for business promotion attract entrepreneurs from all over the world. Many immigrants from Russia live in America without citizenship and consider it right. However, a US passport gives its owner a lot of advantages.
Pros of obtaining American citizenship
It is worth noting that a citizen of any country has a whole list of rights that are prescribed in the local Constitution. Those who live in America for a long time, but for some reason do not apply for a US passport, are not considered citizens. So, these are the rights that the United States government gives Americans:
- Voting right.
- The ability to invite members of your family to the United States in a lightweight procedure.
- Access to higher education.
- Access to the United States Health System.
- The possibility of obtaining citizenship for children born in the United States.
Expecting to receive many rights, one should not forget about obligations. A US citizen must swear allegiance to the state, pay taxes; An equally important obligation is to register with the Conscription Service.
Characteristics of an American Passport
A US citizen’s passport is not much different from a similar Russian document. American crusts are dark blue. In the center of the cover is the coat of arms of the United States. At the first spread of the document are the preamble to the US Constitution, the signature of the passport holder, basic information about the person: name and surname, date and place of birth, five-digit US passport number, as well as the date of issue, validity and gender. Since 2007, the document has been made biometric, that is, special services always have the opportunity to verify their identity without the direct participation of the passport holder.
A significant difference from the Russian system of obtaining an identity card is the validity of a US passport. Here it is necessary to clarify: a child born in America immediately receives his passport. Thus, the validity period of a document of persons under the age of 16 - 5 years; adults - 10 years.
How can a foreigner get a US passport?
There are several ways to obtain American citizenship. Each of them is associated with the concept of "naturalization", that is, obtaining citizenship on the basis of long-term residence in the country. There are several conditions for such a procedure:
- Reaching 18 years.
- Status: A foreigner must be a legal permanent resident of the United States for at least five years, that is, be the owner of a green card. This rule has exceptions, for example, spouses of American citizens can apply for naturalization if they have been in the country for 3 years and have preserved the integrity of the marriage. Important: the period of residence must be continuous.
- Knowledge of the language and history of America.
- Good manners, lack of major criminal convictions, adherence to constitutional principles and respect for the American people.
Naturalization process
Obtaining citizenship in this way takes place in four stages:
- Filing an application.
- Criminal background check.
- Interview
- Oath of allegiance to America.
Naturalization is considered one of the easiest ways to obtain citizenship, as it is freed from paperwork and a long process of processing results. The interview phase may seem the most exciting, but do not be afraid of it: a civil and immigration officer will ask questions about the biography, moral qualities, place and time of residence in the United States, as well as fidelity to the American people and their willingness to swear allegiance to America. During this procedure, the prospective citizen is given a chance to show knowledge of the language and history - all this is necessary in order to obtain a passport. A sample application and interview plan can be obtained from the Migration Service of America.
Obtaining a passport on the basis of marriage with a US citizen
This method is rather a variation of the previous one, and general cases (when a husband and wife live in America together for a long time) were previously considered. But often the spouses of American citizens who work abroad of this country, that is, did not actually live in the United States, want to get an American passport. In this case, the naturalization process is presented in a lightweight form.
The most important requirement for an applicant is his actual presence in the United States during the naturalization process. The following requirements remain the same, with the exception of a couple of points:
- The term of the marriage union is not established in a mandatory form.
- The time of actual residence in the USA is not regulated.
- The applicant must have a green card, but the period of possession is not established.
Despite the many benefits that the state of America provides, the main point of naturalization - interviewing - remains unchanged.
Obtaining citizenship by the military
Some categories of people can get an American passport in a lightweight procedure. This category includes the military and veterans of the US Armed Forces: they can apply for naturalization in accordance with the Immigration Act. This opportunity exists only in good faith.
Requirements for those wishing to obtain a US passport in peacetime:
- Age over 18 years. This rule has no exceptions.
- Impeccable service in the Armed Forces of America for one or more years, or a shorter period, but with the presence of state awards.
- Permanent residence in the United States during the naturalization process for a period of at least five years, or actual presence for a period of at least 30 months.
- Knowledge of English and the history of America.
- Lack of criminal record and high moral qualities.
The process of obtaining citizenship during the war is characterized by the absence of an age qualification and the length of residence in America: it is not strictly regulated.
As a rule, the state as soon as possible considers the application and issues a US citizen passport to the military.
Citizenship for a child
Many parents dream of getting a US passport. A child born in America is guaranteed a citizenship by the Constitution, but parents retain the custody of their home country. Making a passport for a newborn takes one and a half to two months. It is worth noting that under current law a child whose parents are citizens of Russia receives dual citizenship.
Citizenship Interviews: Some Tips
Often, immigrants who fully comply with the conditions necessary for naturalization are afraid not to go through the main stage of obtaining citizenship - an interview. Indeed, this is a crucial event, without which it will not be possible to obtain the coveted passport. It is easy to find a sample application, a criminal record check is carried out remotely, but communication with an examiner is an exciting undertaking. However, do not tune in to failure: the state of America creates all the conditions for the successful passing of the test.
First and foremost, a list of all questions with ready-made answers. It is issued in two months, so it will not be difficult to learn it.
The second, for those who still doubt their own abilities, there is a trial version of the test on the official website of the US Department of Homeland Security, which can be taken at any time convenient for you.
Thirdly, the Internet is full of videos, which provide detailed information about the interview procedure. In specialized forums you can chat with those who have already passed this stage. For the most insecure, there are courses that are prepared for everyone: you can find them in the libraries of America.
Fourth - it is not necessary to know English perfectly. The owner of the entry level will also be able to cope with the tasks.
Obtaining American citizenship is an important step in the life of any person. Believe in yourself - and everything will turn out!