There are several benefits of getting U.S citizenship. In this guide, we are going to learn some of the benefits of becoming a U.S citizen. Also, if you currently have your Green card and you’re considering getting U.S citizenship, this guide could also be of help to you, so make sure you read from beginning to end.
This guide will focus mainly on some of the benefits of becoming a U.S citizen.
Many people are confused about what it actually means to be a U.S citizen versus a lawful permanent resident. I hope this guide can clear some of these differences up.
Benefits of becoming a U.S citizen
Below are some of the benefits of becoming a citizen vs Permanent Resident(Green Card holder)
- U.S citizen can vote in U.S elections
A lawful permanent resident, a Green card holder, cannot vote in U.S elections. So that’s one of the benefits of becoming a U.S citizen.
- Respect to the types of family members that you can sponsor for their Green card
As a lawful permanent resident, there are certain categories of people that you can sponsor for their Green Card, such as your spouse and your children, if certain conditions are met.
On the other hand, a U.S citizen has additional classifications of people that they can sponsor for their Green card.
For example, a U.S citizen can sponsor their siblings for their Green card, if certain conditions are met, or your parents, if certain conditions are met.
- The security of your status as a U.S citizen in the United States
As a lawful permanent resident, there are multiple different ways that you could lose your lawful permanent resident status. For example, if you’re convicted of certain crimes, or if you spend too much time outside of the United States, you could potentially lose your status as a U.S lawful permanent resident.
However, once you become a U.S citizen, once you get your U.S citizenship, it’s much harder to lose your citizenship.
There are certain ways for somebody to lose their citizenship, and it’s called denaturalization.
But again, it’s much harder to lose your citizenship once you become a U.S citizen.
- Fees and expenses
When you get your Green card, when you become a lawful permanent resident, your Green card is typically valid for a period of ten (10) years. Every ten years, you have to renew your Green card, and this requires that you file an application with USCIS, and the filing fees for that application are pretty expensive. USCIS filing fees routinely increase. You can check USCIS official webpage for more information on that.
As a lawful permanent resident, you periodically have to apply to renew your Green card. However, once you become a U.S Citizen, you do not have to apply to renew your citizenship, the way you would have to if you were a lawful permanent resident.
Permanent residency or citizenship, which is more beneficial?
Many foreign nationals wonder whether becoming a permanent U.S. resident or a U.S. citizen is a better option. Applying for a Green Card does allow you to legally reside in the United States and provides you with access to certain benefits. Becoming a permanent resident can also be a lengthy process.
Furthermore, if residency is granted, you will still be considered a citizen of your home country and your residency could be affected if you travel outside of the United States for a period a year or more.
U.S. citizenship will grant you access to more rights and privileges; your residency cannot be revoked, you cannot be deported, you can vote and run for political office, and you can receive all federal benefits, etc.
However, applying and being approved for U.S. citizenship can be a lengthy, difficult process.
In Summary
Below are four benefits of becoming a US. Citizen
- U.S Citizen can vote in U.S Elections
- U.S Citizen can sponsor additional family members for their green card, including siblings in some cases and parents in some cases, while a lawful permanent resident would not be able to sponsor those classifications of family members.
- U.S Citizen doesn’t have to go through the tedious and costly process of renewing their green card or renewing their citizenship the way that a lawful permanent resident has to.
- U.S Citizens status in the United States is more secure than that of a lawful permanent resident, and how lawful permanent residents can lose their status through committing various crimes or spending too much time outside of the United States, while it’s much harder for u a citizen to lose their citizenship.
If you are a foreign national and you would like to reside in the United States for a prolonged period of time, becoming a citizen or a permanent resident ensures that you can legally reside in the country indefinitely.
Hope you learned a lot from this guide. Thank you so much for reading this guide.
DISCLAIMER: This guide and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this guide should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. The information presented in this guide does not create an attorney-client relationship nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact me personally or contact another attorney. You should seek the advice of an attorney in your jurisdiction before taking any legal action. Nothing herein is intended to nor constitutes a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.