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.
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
- USCIS — Citizenship and Naturalization
USCIS — Citizenship and Naturalization - verified
- USCIS — H-1B Specialty Occupations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - verified
- USCIS — O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - verified
- USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - verified
- USCIS — E-2 Treaty Investors
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - verified
- USCIS — Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference EB-2
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - verified
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.