Most people apply for a green card with the ultimate goal of becoming a U.S. citizen someday.  Certain benefits are granted to citizens that are not available to green card holders, such as the right to vote in federal elections, right to obtain citizenship for children born abroad, eligibility for federal jobs, and right to become an elected official.  

The process of conferring citizenship on a person is called naturalization.  To be eligible for naturalization, the following requirements must be met: (1) must be a lawful permanent resident for 5 years, or 3 years if applying based on marriage to a U.S. citizen; (2) must be physically present for at least one-half of the 5-year or 3-year period; (3) must be 18 years or over; (4) must have resided for at least 3 months in the state where the application is filed; and (5) must meet the good moral character requirement for 5 years prior to filing the application.  

YOU can bring your family to the United States if you are a U.S. citizen, Legal Permanent Resident or U.S. non-immigrant.

A U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) needs to file Form I-130 immigrant petition for the alien relative. Visas are immediately available for the parents, spouses and unmarried minor children of a U.S. citizen. Any unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen 21 years of age and above will have to wait 6-16 years (depending on your country of chargeability) before visas become available. For the married son or daughter and siblings of a U.S. citizen the waiting period may even take longer.