Frequently Asked Questions On Eligibility

On what other basis can I apply for naturalization?

You may apply for naturalization if:

You were married to a U.S. citizen who died during a period of honorable active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces. You must be a Permanent Resident on the day of your interview.

Note: You must have been married to and living with your U.S. citizen spouse at the time of his/her death.
You are a U.S. national (a non-citizen who owes permanent allegiance to the United States) AND have become a resident of any State AND are otherwise qualified for naturalization. You are not required to be a Permanent Resident.

Note: Any time you resided in American Samoa or Swains Island counts the same as the time you resided within a State of the United States.
You served on a vessel operated by the United States OR If you served on a vessel registered in the United States and owned by U.S. citizens or a U.S. corporation. You must have 5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer.

Note: If you were out of the country while serving on a vessel, this time out of the country does not break your “continuous residence.” It is treated just like time spent in the United States.
You are an employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. Government You must have 5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer.

Note: An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will break your “continuous residence.” You may keep your “continuous residence” if you have had at least 1 year of unbroken “continuous residence” since becoming a Permanent Resident and you get an approved N-470 before you have been out of the United States for 1 year.
You are a person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States 5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer.

Note: An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will break your “continuous residence.” You may keep your “continuous residence” if you have had at least 1 year of unbroken “continuous residence” since becoming a Permanent Resident and you get an approved N-470 at any time before applying for naturalization.
You are employed by one of the following:
- An American institution of research recognized by the Attorney General;
- An American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States; or
- A public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty (if the employment began after you became a Permanent Resident) 5 years as a Permanent Resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer
  
  Note: An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will break your “continuous residence.” You may keep your “continuous residence” if you have had at least 1 year of unbroken “continuous residence” since becoming a Permanent Resident and you get an approved N-470 before you have been out of the United States for 1 year.
You have been employed for 5 years or more by a U.S. nonprofit organization that principally promotes the interests of the United States abroad through the communications media. You must have 5 years as a permanent resident.
You are the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is one of the following:
- A member of the U.S. Armed Forces;
- An employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. Government;
- An employee of an American institution of research recognized by the Attorney General;
- An employee of an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States;
- An employee of a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty; or
- A person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States
  
  AND
  
  Your citizen spouse is working abroad under an employment contract with the qualifying employer for at least 1 year and will continue to be so employed at the time you are naturalized. You must be a Permanent Resident at the time of your CIS interview

Which hostilities have been formally recognized?

The following hostilities have been formally recognized:

World War I (November 11, 1916-April 6, 1917);
World War II (September 1, 1939-December 31, 1946);
Korea (June 25, 1950-July 1, 1955);
Vietnam (February 28, 1961-October 15, 1978);
Persian Gulf (August 2, 1990-April 11, 1991);
On or after September 11, 2001; or
Any other period which the President, by Executive Order, has designated as a period in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or were engaged in military operations involving armed conflict with hostile foreign forces.

You can apply for citizenship on the basis that you have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during a period of recognized hostilities.