Use this calculator to estimate your eligibility for U.S. naturalization based on common requirements. Please note this is a simplified tool and does not cover all specific situations or exceptions. Always consult with an immigration attorney or USCIS for definitive guidance.
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Yes
function toggleMarriageFields() {
var marriedToUSCitizen = document.getElementById("marriedToUSCitizen").value;
var marriageFields = document.getElementById("marriageFields");
if (marriedToUSCitizen === "Yes") {
marriageFields.style.display = "block";
} else {
marriageFields.style.display = "none";
}
}
function calculateEligibility() {
var applicantAge = parseInt(document.getElementById("applicantAge").value);
var lprDateStr = document.getElementById("lprDate").value;
var marriedToUSCitizen = document.getElementById("marriedToUSCitizen").value;
var marriageDateStr = document.getElementById("marriageDate").value;
var spouseCitizenDateStr = document.getElementById("spouseCitizenDate").value;
var daysOutsideUS = parseInt(document.getElementById("daysOutsideUS").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("eligibilityResult");
var messages = [];
var isEligible = true;
// — Input Validation —
if (isNaN(applicantAge) || applicantAge < 0) {
messages.push("Please enter a valid age.");
isEligible = false;
}
if (!lprDateStr) {
messages.push("Please enter your LPR (Green Card) date.");
isEligible = false;
}
if (marriedToUSCitizen === "Yes") {
if (!marriageDateStr) {
messages.push("Please enter your marriage date.");
isEligible = false;
}
if (!spouseCitizenDateStr) {
messages.push("Please enter the date your spouse became a U.S. Citizen.");
isEligible = false;
}
}
if (isNaN(daysOutsideUS) || daysOutsideUS < 0) {
messages.push("Please enter a valid number for days outside the U.S.");
isEligible = false;
}
if (!isEligible) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Eligibility Status: Not Eligible (Please correct inputs)" + messages.map(function(msg) { return "" + msg + ""; }).join("");
return;
}
var today = new Date();
var lprDateObj = new Date(lprDateStr);
var marriageDateObj = new Date(marriageDateStr);
var spouseCitizenDateObj = new Date(spouseCitizenDateStr);
// Helper function to calculate difference in days
function getDayDifference(date1, date2) {
var diffTime = Math.abs(date2.getTime() – date1.getTime());
return Math.ceil(diffTime / (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24));
}
// — Criteria Checks —
// 1. Age Requirement
if (applicantAge = 3 && marriageDurationYears >= 3 && spouseCitizenDurationYears >= 3) {
requiredContinuousResidenceYears = 3;
requiredPhysicalPresenceMonths = 18; // 3 years * 0.5 = 1.5 years = 18 months
ruleApplied = "3-Year Rule (Spouse of U.S. Citizen)";
}
}
messages.push("Applying the " + ruleApplied + " for your eligibility assessment.");
// 2. Continuous Residence Requirement
if (lprDurationYears < requiredContinuousResidenceYears) {
messages.push("❌ You need to have been a Lawful Permanent Resident for at least " + requiredContinuousResidenceYears + " years. You have been an LPR for approximately " + lprDurationYears.toFixed(1) + " years.");
isEligible = false;
} else {
messages.push("✅ Continuous Residence Requirement Met (at least " + requiredContinuousResidenceYears + " years as LPR).");
}
// 3. Physical Presence Requirement
var totalDaysPhysicallyPresent = lprDurationDays – daysOutsideUS;
var requiredPhysicalPresenceDays = requiredPhysicalPresenceMonths * 30.4375; // Approximate days for months
if (totalDaysPhysicallyPresent < requiredPhysicalPresenceDays) {
messages.push("❌ You need to have been physically present in the U.S. for at least " + requiredPhysicalPresenceMonths + " months (approximately " + Math.ceil(requiredPhysicalPresenceDays) + " days). You have been physically present for approximately " + totalDaysPhysicallyPresent + " days.");
isEligible = false;
} else {
messages.push("✅ Physical Presence Requirement Met (at least " + requiredPhysicalPresenceMonths + " months in U.S.).");
}
// — Additional Important Considerations (Not calculated) —
messages.push("Important Considerations (Not calculated by this tool):");
messages.push("● Good Moral Character: You must demonstrate good moral character. Certain criminal offenses or other actions can make you ineligible.");
messages.push("● English Language Proficiency: You must be able to read, write, and speak basic English (with some exceptions).");
messages.push("● U.S. Government and History (Civics): You must pass a test on U.S. government and history (with some exceptions).");
messages.push("● Attachment to the U.S. Constitution: You must be willing to take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.");
messages.push("● Continuous Residence Breaks: This calculator does not account for single trips outside the U.S. that may break continuous residence (e.g., a single trip of 6 months or more, or 1 year or more).");
messages.push("● Living with Spouse: For the 3-year rule, you must have been living in marital union with your U.S. citizen spouse for the entire 3-year period.");
// — Display Results —
var finalStatus = isEligible ? "Eligibility Status: Potentially Eligible!" : "Eligibility Status: Not Yet Eligible";
resultDiv.innerHTML = finalStatus + messages.join("");
}
// Initialize conditional fields on page load
toggleMarriageFields();
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border: 1px solid #ddd;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 8px;
max-width: 700px;
margin: 20px auto;
box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
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margin-bottom: 5px;
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color: #34495e;
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.calculator-input input[type="number"],
.calculator-input input[type="date"],
.calculator-input select {
width: calc(100% – 22px);
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
box-sizing: border-box;
font-size: 16px;
}
.citizenship-eligibility-calculator button {
display: block;
width: 100%;
padding: 12px 20px;
background-color: #28a745;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 18px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
margin-top: 20px;
}
.citizenship-eligibility-calculator button:hover {
background-color: #218838;
}
.calculator-result {
margin-top: 25px;
padding: 15px;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 5px;
background-color: #eef;
color: #333;
}
.calculator-result p {
margin-bottom: 8px;
line-height: 1.5;
}
.calculator-result strong {
color: #2c3e50;
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.result-eligible {
color: #28a745;
font-size: 1.1em;
font-weight: bold;
}
.result-not-eligible {
color: #dc3545;
font-size: 1.1em;
font-weight: bold;
}
#marriageFields {
border-left: 3px solid #007bff;
padding-left: 15px;
margin-left: 5px;
margin-top: 10px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
Understanding U.S. Citizenship Eligibility (Naturalization)
Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization is a significant step, offering numerous rights and responsibilities. The process is managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and requires meeting several specific eligibility criteria. This article outlines the general requirements and provides context for the calculator above.
What is Naturalization?
Naturalization is the process by which a foreign citizen or national voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen. It is the most common way for Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) to obtain U.S. citizenship.
General Eligibility Requirements for Naturalization (Form N-400)
While the calculator focuses on key numerical criteria, it's crucial to understand all requirements:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old at the time of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Status: You must be a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) for a specific period.
Continuous Residence: This refers to the period of time you have maintained your status as an LPR in the U.S. immediately preceding your application.
General Rule: You must have been a continuous resident for at least 5 years.
Spouses of U.S. Citizens: If you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible after 3 years of continuous residence, provided your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years.
Important Note: Certain trips outside the U.S. can break your continuous residence. A single absence of 6 months to 1 year may break it unless you can prove you did not abandon your residence. An absence of 1 year or more presumptively breaks continuous residence.
Physical Presence: This refers to the actual time you have spent physically within the United States during your continuous residence period.
General Rule: You must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half of your continuous residence period (e.g., 30 months for the 5-year rule).
Spouses of U.S. Citizens: You must have been physically present for at least half of your continuous residence period (e.g., 18 months for the 3-year rule).
Good Moral Character: You must demonstrate that you are a person of good moral character for the statutory period (usually 5 or 3 years) immediately preceding your application. Certain criminal convictions, false testimony, or other actions can disqualify you.
English Language Proficiency: You must be able to read, write, and speak basic English. This is typically assessed during your naturalization interview. There are exceptions for applicants who are elderly or have certain medical conditions.
Knowledge of U.S. Government and History (Civics): You must pass a civics test demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. history and government. Exceptions apply for certain elderly applicants.
Attachment to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution: You must show that you are attached to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States. This is affirmed by taking an Oath of Allegiance.
The 5-Year Rule vs. The 3-Year Rule
The most common path to naturalization is the 5-year rule. However, if you are married to a U.S. citizen, you might qualify under the 3-year rule. To use the 3-year rule, you must:
Have been a Lawful Permanent Resident for at least 3 years.
Have been married to and living in marital union with the same U.S. citizen for at least 3 years.
Your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years.
Meet all other general eligibility requirements.
Important Considerations and Limitations of the Calculator
Our calculator provides an estimate based on the most common numerical requirements. However, it cannot account for all nuances of immigration law. Specifically, it does not:
Evaluate your "Good Moral Character."
Assess your English language ability or civics knowledge.
Determine if any specific trips abroad have broken your "continuous residence."
Cover special circumstances, such as military service, asylum/refugee status, or other unique eligibility paths.
For a definitive assessment of your eligibility and to navigate the naturalization process, it is highly recommended to consult with an experienced immigration attorney or refer directly to the official USCIS website and resources.