United States of America
United States of America settlement & citizenship
The US path from temporary visa to citizenship is comparatively long and priority-date-driven. Most skilled-worker paths go H-1B → employer-sponsored PERM → I-140 → I-485 (adjustment) → Green Card → citizenship at 5 years.
Last reviewed 1 June 2026.
Stages — from visa to passport
- 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
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 (per DOS Visa Bulletin). Indian / Chinese nationals in EB-2 face multi-year backlogs; EB-1 is faster but harder to qualify for.
- 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
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.