How Long Does It Take to Get Citizenship Through the Military?

The United States Armed Forces has naturalized more than 170,000 service members since 2002. Interestingly, the number of naturalized service members increased between 2019 and 2023, with 40,000 military members becoming American citizens within the continental U.S. and abroad.

This rise in naturalization through military or naval service demonstrates the incredible opportunities of serving the country.

But how long does it take to go through the citizenship and immigration services process? We’ll discuss the expected timeline for those serving in the U.S. military.

How Long Does It Take to Get Citizenships Through Military Service?

The naturalization process through the Immigration and Nationality Act requires applicants to undergo different stages. The Form N-400, or Application for Naturalization, usually requires a processing period of 14 months. This process extends from 18 and a half months to 24 months because of the interview, decision, and the Oath of Allegiance. Among the many immigration benefits service members receive is that this expedited naturalization extends to their spouses and other dependents.

However, it should be highlighted that several factors may delay this process. Reasons such as overwhelming application numbers received by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the residence address, and incomplete requirements may impede one’s fast-tracked naturalization process.

If you’re proactive throughout the application period and ensure you prepare your naturalization requirements, you can avoid these issues and delays. It’d be better to be overprepared than unprepared. You should be vigilant in confirming your application has no errors or typos for a smooth process. You should also retain copies of the documents you submit to the USCIS.

All About Military or Naval Service Requirements

Sections 1439 and 1440 of the INA or Immigration and Nationality Act state there are two ways for a service member to obtain U.S. citizenship: working in the Armed Forces for one year minimum or serving during hostile periods. This section will detail the unique requirements of each condition.

At Least One Year of Military Service

Service members who’ve served honorably for a one-year minimum are qualified for ‘peacetime naturalization.’ This is also available for veterans. Those who served honorably for a year should note the following requirements:

• A lawful permanent resident at the time of interview scheduling
• Proof of good moral character for five years prior to the application period
• At least 18 years old
• Proof the applicant worked in the Armed Forces for a year (doesn’t have to be continuous)
• The U.S. history and government knowledge
• Knows how to understand, speak, write, and read in English
• Supportive of the U.S. Constitution’s ideas
• Commitment to the nation’s overall well-being

To deem someone has rendered honorable service, their military branch can provide a certificate. When it comes to the Air Force or other veterans, one should have general-under-honorable conditions or an honorable discharge after leaving military service.

Let’s say that the veteran applied for citizenship at least six months after discharge. They should prove they’ve lived in the country continuously for at least five years and had a physical presence in the U.S. for 30 months before their naturalization application date.

On the other hand, those who served honorably during that period may apply for citizenship even though they’re stationed abroad. Service members who filed while working in the military for six months after can skip the residence and physical presence requirements.

Serving at a Period of Hostility

If the applicant served in the Armed Forces during a hostility period, these are the naturalization requirements:

• Served the country during a certified period of hostility
• Knows how to understand, speak, write, and read in English
• Any age
• Physically present or a permanent resident in the U.S. ( or Swains Island, the Canal Zone, American Samoa, or any public vessel) when extending or enlisting in the military
• U.S. history and government knowledge
• Supportive of the U.S. Constitution’s ideas
• Commitment to the nation’s overall well-being
• Proof of good moral character for the year up to the application date

In addition, you should prove you’ve served the military in any of the following hostilities periods:

• World War II (September 1, 1939 to December 31, 1946)
• Persian Gulf Conflict (August 2, 1990 to April 11, 1991)
• Korean Conflict (June 25, 1950 to July 1, 1955)
• War on Terrorism (September 11, 2001, to Present Day)
• World War I (April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918)
• Vietnam Hostilities (February 28, 1961 to October 15, 1978)

Why Seek American Citizenship Through the Military?

What are the perks of seeking citizenship through working in the military police or Coast Guard? Here are some advantages service members enjoy over civilian applicants:

Shortened Residency Requirement

Typically, you’d need to be married to an American citizen for at least three years or lived in the United States for five consecutive years. A service member can bypass this residency requirement.

Waived State-of-residence Requirement

Civilian applicants must reside in the area where they filed their N-400 for at least three consecutive months. A service member doesn’t have to live that long in the area where they filed their application.

Free Application Fees

Applying for citizenship typically costs $800 per applicant. The Armed Forces shoulder these costs.

Forms You Need from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Form N-400

The Application for Naturalization or Form N-400 is required for all applicants, including service members. The form should reflect that you’re getting naturalized through military service to speed up your application.

The document should be completed in black ink if submitted manually, but electronic applications are also accepted. The application should have ALL pages included, regardless of select portions that don’t apply to one’s situation.

Form N-426

Form-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, is proof of service in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions. Your military officer should sign and certify this document within six months of passing Form N-400.

On the other hand, you can pass this form without certification if you submit your N-400 after leaving the military. You need extra evidence of honorable service (D.D. Form 214, NGB Form 22, or another discharge document) as a replacement.

The Steps to American Citizenship Through Military Service

The road to becoming an American citizen through military service takes five specific steps:

1. Confirm your eligibility for American citizenship.

Use the Naturalization Eligibility Tool to verify your eligibility for citizenship. You’ll be asked simple questions that can verify if you can already apply for citizenship.

2. Complete Form N-400.

A thorough reading of instructions is a must before you complete Form N-400. To avoid the need to prepare extra requirements, you should complete Form N-426. If some portions don’t apply, you should put N/A. This form can be accomplished manually or electronically.

3. Give a copy of your fingerprints.

If you reside in the continental US, you must go to an Application Support Center for fingerprinting. An appointment isn’t required, but you must show your military ID if you’re a veteran or service member. If you’re overseas, you must send two FD-258 fingerprint cards and two passport images. Your military enlistment fingerprints will be used if you can’t submit them.

4. Pass the interview by an assigned USCIS at a designated location. 

A USCIS officer will check your U.S. history, civics knowledge, and ability to write and speak English. The interview is crucial because your naturalization status depends on this step. If you’re denied, you may file an appeal through a Form N-336.

5. Recite the Oath of Allegiance.

If approved, you must take the Oath of Allegiance, which confirms your U.S. citizenship. You may take this oath after your interview or another scheduled date.

Getting SCRA Rights Through Military Service

Foreign nationals who work in the Armed Forces don’t just get fast-tracked citizenship. They also qualify for other military benefits, including financial and legal perks from the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

Interest Rate Limits

The SCRA mandates that active duty personnel be provided a six percent interest rate limit on pre-service debt. This SCRA right can help lessen credit card debt, mortgage debt, student loans, or other qualified debt.

Protection from Eviction

Service members evicted due to nonpayment can delay the eviction proceedings for at least three months. The court may also extend this period or change the amount due. This protection applies even if you’re stationed overseas, which means your family left behind can’t be evicted from your rental unit.

Civil Court Proceeding Postponement

The postponement privilege extends to other civil court proceedings, such as divorce and child support cases. However, the SCRA does not cover criminal cases.

Final Words

American citizenship can open many doors for foreign nationals, including access to SCRA benefits. However, you must present evidence of military service to be eligible for these perks. This is where SCRACVS can come in and be of service. Click here to sign up at SCRAVS and verify the active duty status.

FAQs

Do you need to be a lawful permanent resident to become an American citizen?

Yes, that is the most common requirement for American citizenship. However, if you’re a service member applying for citizenship, you don’t need to be physically present in the country.

How long does it take for military personnel to be eligible for citizenship?

It would depend on the conditions when they served the country. In most cases, you’d need to work for the military for a year. You can bypass this condition if you served the country during hostilities periods.

How long does it take to process n400?

The standard processing period for Form N-400 is 14 months. However, the other naturalization steps extend this process to 18 to 24 months.

Does the military fast-track citizenship?

Yes, service members can bypass the residency requirement. The privilege extends to their dependents.

How long does it take to get a green card if you join the military?

The process should last two to three years if you served during peace. If you served during a period of hostility, this process is minus a year.

Can my family get citizenship if I join the military?

Yes, fast-tracked citizenship is extended to service members or veterans’ family members. It’s a good stepping stone for foreign families intending to move to the country.