Find visa optionsFind visas
Menu

United States of America

United States of America settlement & citizenship

An approved I-140 is only the immigrant-petition stage: it does not grant status or a visa. Priority-date availability and adjustment or consular processing are separate, and nationality-specific issuance or entry restrictions can still affect the final stage.

Last reviewed 1 June 2026.

How long does United States of America settlement and citizenship take?

Arrival on H-1B (3 years) → PERM + I-140 (1-2 years) → I-485 / Green Card (current for most categories, 7-15+ years for India EB-2) → citizenship at PR+5 years. The pathway moves from a temporary route into Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card), then U.S. citizenship (naturalisation); check the physical-presence rule and language level before planning dates.

Verified against USCIS — Citizenship and Naturalization on 1 June 2026.

Source basis

This settlement and citizenship page is compiled from the destination's official settlement or nationality source plus the linked route records that feed into the pathway.

Reviewed

Primary sources

Stages — from visa to passport

  1. 1

    Nonimmigrant visa

    3 years (H-1B), with a 6-year ceiling on H-1B

    Who qualifies
    H-1B, O-1, L-1, TN, E-2, F-1 plus OPT/STEM OPT, J-1. Some routes have dual-intent (H-1B, L-1) and some do not (F, J, B).
    Key gate
    Maintain status; begin the employment-based Green Card process (PERM + I-140) well before the H-1B 6-year ceiling.
  2. 2

    Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card)

    Card renewed every 10 years; status indefinite

    Who qualifies
    Adjustment of status (I-485) or consular processing after I-140 approval and a current priority date. EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5 + family-based categories.
    Key gate
    Priority date current under the Visa Bulletin and either adjustment eligibility or lawful immigrant-visa issuance. Applicants must separately satisfy any nationality-specific issuance and entry rules in force.
  3. 3

    U.S. citizenship (naturalisation)

    5 years as a Green Card holder (3 if married to a US citizen)

    Who qualifies
    Green Card holders, age 18+, physically present 30+ months of the last 5 years.
    Key gate
    Civics test (10 of 100 questions asked, 6 correct), English speaking/reading/writing test (exemptions by age + time as PR), good moral character.

Physical presence

30 months physical presence out of the 5 years preceding application (18 months if spouse of US citizen). No absences over 6 months without pre-approval.

Language level

English speaking, reading, writing tested at interview (waived for 65+ residents for 20 years; 55+ for 15; 50+ for 20).

Test / oath

Civics test (for N-400 filed on or after 20 October 2025: 20 questions drawn from a 128-question bank, 12 correct to pass; the older 2008 test — 10 of 100, 6 to pass — applies to applications filed before that date). Oath of Allegiance renouncing prior sovereignty.

Dual citizenship

The US permits dual citizenship in practice, though the Oath includes a renunciation clause that is not actively enforced by DOS for most dual nationals.

Typical full timeline

Arrival on H-1B (3 years) → PERM + I-140 (1-2 years) → I-485 / Green Card (current for most categories, 7-15+ years for India EB-2) → citizenship at PR+5 years.

Primary source

USCIS — Citizenship and Naturalization

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get U.S. citizenship (naturalisation) after first arriving in United States?

Arrival on H-1B (3 years) → PERM + I-140 (1-2 years) → I-485 / Green Card (current for most categories, 7-15+ years for India EB-2) → citizenship at PR+5 years.

How many days a year must I physically be in United States to qualify?

30 months physical presence out of the 5 years preceding application (18 months if spouse of US citizen). No absences over 6 months without pre-approval.

What language level do I need for U.S. citizenship (naturalisation)?

English speaking, reading, writing tested at interview (waived for 65+ residents for 20 years; 55+ for 15; 50+ for 20).

Does United States allow dual citizenship?

The US permits dual citizenship in practice, though the Oath includes a renunciation clause that is not actively enforced by DOS for most dual nationals.

Related