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Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Citizenship
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Applying for citizenship in the United States is already a long and arduous process, but one small mistake could ruin your chances completely. Too many applications are denied every year by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) due to the fact that individuals simply made a small error on their application form. If you are applying for citizenship, below are the top mistakes to avoid so you can give your application the best chance of success.
Applying Too Soon
Unfortunately, you cannot apply to become an American citizen any time you would like. To apply for citizenship, you must first obtain a green card and hold lawful permanent resident status for at least five years. If you have been married to someone that is an American citizen for at least three years, you only need to hold lawful permanent resident status for three years. Under the requirements, you must have also lived in the same state for a minimum of three months prior to applying.
Traveling Outside of the United States
Generally speaking, you can travel outside of the country for six months or less and it will not affect your eligibility status. Still, you must have lived in the country for a minimum of 30 of the previous 60 months. If you are a lawful permanent resident and are married to an American citizen, you must only prove that you have lived in the United States for a minimum of 18 of the previous 36 months. If you have traveled outside of the country for longer than six months, it can negatively impact your lawful permanent resident status.
Lacking Good Moral Character
To become a United States citizen, you must show that you are of good moral character. This means that you must submit United States tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service, and you must pay your taxes on time. You also cannot be behind on child support payments, have a history of unpaid civil liabilities, or have certain criminal convictions on your criminal record. If you have a criminal conviction on your record, you are permanently ineligible for citizenship.
Omitting Certain Documents
You must include all relevant information within your application for citizenship. A copy of your green card and two photos, taken in passport-style, are required. You must also submit any supporting documents.
Not Passing the Tests
Before becoming an American citizen, you must pass a civics test and an English test. There are some exemptions, but they are quite limited. The tests are typically administered approximately two to three months after you submit your application for citizenship. Citizenship classes are available that can help familiarize you with the material, so you are better able to study.
Our Illinois Immigration Lawyers can Ensure You do Not Make Mistakes
Many mistakes may be made when applying for citizenship, but our Chicago immigration lawyers will ensure you do not make these errors. At Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, LLC, we have the necessary experience to make sure your application is filed correctly, in the timeframe required, and can provide guidance on how to pass your naturalization tests. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys and to learn more about how we can help.
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I had a wonderful experience working with Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC. From start to finish, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to guiding me through every step of the process. They made what could have been a stressful situation feel smooth and manageable, always answering questions quickly and keeping me updated. I especially want to thank Khabit for his outstanding support—he was patient, detail-oriented, and went above…
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We worked with Kevin Raica from Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and I can confidently say he went above and beyond for us. Our process was very long and at times overwhelming, but Kevin guided us every step of the way with professionalism, patience, and dedication. He was always available to answer our questions, explained everything clearly, and made sure we understood our options at each stage. What stood out…
A family friend referred me to work with Maya Flores at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC to help me with my U.S. naturalization. Despite the current immigration tension, Maya helped make the process smooth and her familiarity with procedure helped ease my anxiety. She submitted the citizenship application on my behalf and let me know what to expect. I decided to retain her service for the civics interview as well,…
I really want to thank Justin and Kamila; they are the best. I waited almost 20 years and no one could help me get my green card and in 4 months they helped me get my permit, and I got my green card in less then 4 months. They are the best. I will always be grateful for what they did for me, thank you Justin and Kamila!!!!
I am writing this review to express my deepest gratitude for the hard work on our case by our Immigration Attorney, Lauren McClure and her Paralegal, Kamila Lada. My Green Card was approved! I know this wouldn't have been possible without their expertise and dedication. They both were extremely helpful, responsive, and guided us through every step of the way. Lauren took the time to train us for our interview…
I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Burton for his outstanding legal assistance in my immigration case, from my first consultation he heard me patiently demonstrating exceptional professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to my case. Immigration process can be overwhelming and stressful, but he and his team provided clear guidance every step of the way, always answering my questions promptly and reassuring me with their deep expertise. Thanks to their…
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