Is it expensive to naturalize?

[ydu1 6]

It cost $680 to naturalize and other expenses like copying of docs. etc.. Do you think is worth it and if yes why?

[sexymackeral 14]

My fiance is planning to naturalize after 3 years of being married to me and having his green card for a couple reasons:

1) not having to worry about being denied a green card or getting kicked out of the US. Just a peace of mind thing...

2) traveling abroad is so much easier with a US passport compared to his Cameroon passport. US citizens don't have to get visas for many many countries! It may seem silly but since we both love to travel, those visas for Europe etc really will add up over time...

3) living in DC federal jobs are abundant and some of them require US citizenship

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Absolutely worth it:

- Peace of mind of being done with immigration, even if I end up moving back to Ireland for a few years, I can come back anytime, they can't kick me out, they can't come to my house to check my laundry basket etc etc.

- Voting. I am interested in politics and I want to be able to vote in local and national elections.

- Jobs. Even for non-federal jobs, it is so much easier to get a job when you can say "I am a US citizen" on your resume, especially when most of your work experience is abroad.

[Gracenp2 14]

How about being able to aid your immediate family members!!?

[Big Papa Zone 93]

A lousy $680? To be done with USCIS forever? To quote The Who: "I'd call that a bargain............the best I ever had.."

[proudate 0]

quite expensive... after that you will apply for a passport too.. but its worth it

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Precisely!

A lousy $680? To be done with USCIS forever? To quote The Who: "I'd call that a bargain............the best I ever had.."

You could pay the Naturalization fee or keep paying USCIS every 10 yrs to renew your GC (currently $365 + $85 biometriocs fee) - your choice

Edited November 19, 2014 by Udella&Wiz

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

TOTALLY WORTH IT...or you could do like we had to do when we had to leave the country for a year and a half due to a sick relative, and relinquish your residency. Then if you want to come back, you start ALL OVER AGAIN...THAT is expensive! Plus, although its rare, as a permanent resident, you can be deported if you commit certain crimes.

[Leosoul 1]

Worth every penny, what's more than Benefits that citizenship can give you is loyalty to the country that make you what you are today,

I bet you, so many people could not dream of becoming what they are today if it not for this country.

Taking USA citizenship or not doesn't effect this country in anyway, but it will change your life for better.

Good luck with your decision.

Edited November 19, 2014 by Leosoul

[proudate 0]

TOTALLY WORTH IT...or you could do like we had to do when we had to leave the country for a year and a half due to a sick relative, and relinquish your residency. Then if you want to come back, you start ALL OVER AGAIN...THAT is expensive! Plus, although its rare, as a permanent resident, you can be deported if you commit certain crimes.

so once you become a USC and did felony, that means you can't get deported?

[DC85 113]

so once you become a USC and did felony, that means you can't get deported?

you won't be deported. except if you join a terrorist organization within 5 years after getting the citizenship, then uscis can petition the court to revoke your citizenship

[Buckyball 22]

A lousy $680? To be done with USCIS forever? To quote The Who: "I'd call that a bargain............the best I ever had.."

Exactly, no to deal with these tossers from USCIS is well worth the money.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Exactly, no to deal with these tossers from USCIS is well worth the money.

May I compliment you on your excllent use of the word "tossers", Buckyball. I was unaware such phrases were commonplace in Germany!

Edited November 20, 2014 by Damian P

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Definitely worth the last few dineros. The one thing I think is a crock is having to pay for biometrics. Again. And Again. It's not like much has changed in the last FOUR fingerprints that were given already.

[kcoyclay1 98]

It cost $680 to naturalize and other expenses like copying of docs. etc.. Do you think is worth it and if yes why?

It's worth it because once it's done, it's done. With the GC, you have to keep paying the cost for renewing every ten years.