What next?

[TomandCatie 7]

Hello everyone!

This forum has gotten me through so much filing with my husband! It's the BEST <3

 

You can see our journey in my signature if you have any questions.

So he's coming up on 5 years total as a green card holder - and we're wondering when he can apply for citizenship? We've heard that once you reach 5 years, you can technically do so right away - but he's had a hard time finding a job and he's worried this will hinder his chances? He's British and we've been married for 7+ years now, each time we apply it seems to go very smoothly - so I'm not *TOO* concerned... but I still want to be sure we do everything correctly and file properly. What do we do first to apply?

 

He also is dyslexic so the test has him worried. The USCIS was aware of his inability to read, and said when the time came he could always take the test orally...

How hard is the test and what's the best way/place to study for it?

 

Thanks everyone!

Catie

 

[mushroomspore 3,043]

Marriage based green card holders are actually allowed to apply for naturalization after 3 years (provided they have stayed married to the same US citizen). 5 years is for employment based GC holders.

 

Look up the N-400 form and the instruction packet on USCIS.gov. This is the form for citizenship.

 

As for the test, I don't have much advice on that front. But a thorough Google search and a search here should bring up resources on the test, its questions, how it's conducted, etc.

[GreatDane 366]

I would definitely fill out the forms and get started. Wait times have increased significantly so the sooner, the better. He's been eligible for about two years.

[Wuozopo 4,285]

 

24 minutes ago, TomandCatie said:

Hello everyone!

This forum has gotten me through so much filing with my husband! It's the BEST <3

 

You can see our journey in my signature if you have any questions.

So he's coming up on 5 years total as a green card holder - and we're wondering when he can apply for citizenship? We've heard that once you reach 5 years, you can technically do so right away - but he's had a hard time finding a job and he's worried this will hinder his chances? He's British and we've been married for 7+ years now, each time we apply it seems to go very smoothly - so I'm not *TOO* concerned... but I still want to be sure we do everything correctly and file properly. What do we do first to apply?

 

He also is dyslexic so the test has him worried. The USCIS was aware of his inability to read, and said when the time came he could always take the test orally...

How hard is the test and what's the best way/place to study for it?

 

Thanks everyone!

Catie

 

He's eligible right now. If you want to skip proofs that you are still married, live together, etc then do the five yr version meaning he has been a greencard holder five years. All that marriage evidence can be left out...less hassle.   You can submit the application in the 90 days before he reaches the five yr eligibility date or you can wait and do it any time after whenever you're ready. 

 

There are 100 possible questions of which he gets 10. When I went to biometrics they gave me a study book and audio cd with questions and answers. That might be very useful to him.  The test is given orally and younhave to get 6/10..  

 

For the reading and writing portion you  would have to read one sentence they provide...like read "Where is the White House?" Then they the tell you to write down "The White House is in Washington DC."

 

 

Edited June 21, 2018 by Wuozopo

[Loren Y 2,732]

My friend at work just took the test about a month ago, and he just did his ceremony this past Friday. I asked him about it, and he said the test wasn't that bad, and he said he watched a bunch of You Tube videos about the questions and test itself, and he had no problems with the interview/ test. He said it is both done at the same time, when he went for his interview, they asked him questions, and that was it.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to US Citizenship Discussion.

[CarlHamilton 252]

There is no requirement to have a job for naturalization.

[TomandCatie 7]

What happens if (God forbid) he fails the testing ? Does he get another shot, or even worse, deported? I’m clueless on all of this and even though we’ve successfully done so much - I’m still a bit nervous! 

[geowrian 22,335]

8 minutes ago, TomandCatie said:

What happens if (God forbid) he fails the testing ? Does he get another shot, or even worse, deported? I’m clueless on all of this and even though we’ve successfully done so much - I’m still a bit nervous! 

If he fails the test (I believe he gets 2 chances), the N-400 will be denied. He will be free to reapply.

Unless a reason for removal is discovered during the process (i.e. if the green card was obtained incorrectly or fraudulently), that's not something to worry about.

Edited December 11, 2018 by geowrian

[TomandCatie 7]

Does his becoming a citizen, invalidate his British Citizenship?

 

Also, if he wanted to simply just renew his 10 years, could he do that instead?

 

He is unable to read or write, due to short term memory loss and severe dyslexia so we're pretty sure no matter how hard he studies, he isn't going to pass the test. It took him 10 tries just to pass a driving oral exam. 

 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 hour ago, TomandCatie said:

Does his becoming a citizen, invalidate his British Citizenship?

 

Also, if he wanted to simply just renew his 10 years, could he do that instead?

 

He is unable to read or write, due to short term memory loss and severe dyslexia so we're pretty sure no matter how hard he studies, he isn't going to pass the test. It took him 10 tries just to pass a driving oral exam. 

 

He gets to be British and American and have 2 passports. The British won’t kick him out and the Americans don’t make him quit the U.K.

 

He can renew his green card every 10 years and never become a US citizen. 
 

The test is verbal. The read and write English part is to have him read one sentence like “Where does the President live?” Then they say write what I say—-“The president lives in the White House” and he has to write it on paper. I am sure they have some exceptions for people with medically diagnosed disabilities, but haven’t read all that info lately. 
 

Read this https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-e-chapter-3

 

Edited February 14, 2020 by Wuozopo