U.S. Citizenship – Rights and benefits

U.S. citizenship offers many great advantages and benefits. Here are the main ones.

U.S citizenship – Travel and Passport

U.S. passport

As a new naturalized U.S. citizen, you may apply for a U.S. passport as soon as you take the Oath of Allegiance. Your passport will also serve as official proof of your citizenship.
You will receive the application in your U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet, but you can also get this application at most U.S. post offices or at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

Freedom to enter and leave the United States

As a U.S. citizen, you can leave the U.S. for as long as you want, and return freely anytime you want. U.S. citizens do not have to maintain a residence in the U.S., so you can settle down in another country if you choose.

U.S. citizens do not have to update their address of residence with the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

Being able to travel freely is a big benefit if, for example, you have to travel often for business or personal reasons, or you have family outside the United States you wish to visit for extended period of times.

Special rights and protections when traveling outside the U.S.

When traveling abroad as a U.S. citizen, you’ll find that many countries around the world have no visa requirements, or only light visa requirements, for U.S. passport holder.

One of the U.S. State Department highest priorities is to protect U.S. citizens around the world, so you’ll be able to enjoy their protection while traveling or living abroad. If you get arrested abroad for example, the U.S. State Department can help you find a lawyer and make sure you are treated fairly. The level of help depends on the gravity of your crime and the relationship between the U.S. and that country.

Also, if you encounter any problems while traveling or living abroad, you can get help from your local U.S. embassy or consulate. For example, they can arrange for your care or your repatriation to your home.

For more information, see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

U.S citizenship – Protection from deportation

Once you have been granted U.S. citizenship, you cannot be deported from the U.S., even if you commit a crime. However, be aware that the USCIS can revoke your citizenship if they find out that you lied on your citizenship application or during the citizenship interview. In that case, you could be placed in deportation proceedings.

U.S citizenship – the right to vote

Voting in federal elections for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, is one of the most important rights that comes with U.S. citizenship. After taking the Oath of Allegiance, you will be able to register to vote.

See https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

U.S citizenship – freedom to stand for public office.

As a U.S. citizen, you are able to run for any elected government position, except for President of the United States. Only native-born U.S. citizen (or born abroad to at least one U.S. citizen) can serve as President. However, for a lot of government positions, you will have to be a citizen for a certain amount of years before you will be qualified to take office. For example, the United States Constitution requires that all senators have been citizens for at least nine years.

U.S. citizenship – the right to hold certain federal jobs

When you have U.S. citizenship, you are able to work at any federal job, which offer good salaries and stability. The U.S. government is a major employer, with many branches.

U.S. citizenship – increased ability to help family members immigrate

As a U.S. citizen, you have the right to ask that certain foreign-born family members be allowed to join you in the States. For example, you are allowed to petition for a green card for close family members such as a spouse, siblings, parents and children (they are not automatically granted citizenship. Once they have a green card, they will have to go through the same citizenship application process as you did). This won’t happen right away though. Not every petition results in your family getting their green card immediately.

See https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens

U.S. citizenship – Very important

You only have two chances to pass your U.S. citizenship test. If you fail any portion of the test in your second attempt, your citizenship application will be denied. As a result, you must be well prepared for this test. We offer a FREE U.S. Citizenship Test complete online training program to help you pass your test. Good luck on your test!