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To be eligible for naturalization, applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions:

• Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) for a specified period.

• Individuals married to U.S. citizens who have met the residency requirements.

• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who meet certain criteria.

• Children of U.S. citizens born abroad who may derive or acquire citizenship.

To apply for naturalization, you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years old at the time of application. Be a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for:

• 5 years, if no other category applies.

• 3 years, if married to a U.S. citizen.

How long does the naturalization process take?
Processing times vary, but it generally takes between 8 and 14 months from application submission to the oath ceremony.

Is the English and Civics Test Mandatory?
Yes, but there are exemptions for individuals over a certain age or with specific medical conditions.

Can I Apply for Citizenship If I Have a Criminal Record?
It depends on the nature of the record. It is recommended to consult with a professional to assess your eligibility.

The following permanent residents must apply for Green Card renewal:

• Individuals whose Green Card will expire within the next six months.

• Permanent residents who have lost, damaged, or had their Green Card stolen.

• Holders of a 10-year Green Card that has expired or is about to expire.

• Permanent residents who need to update their card information (such as name or other personal details).

To apply for the renewal of permanent residency, the following requirements must be met:

• Possess a valid Green Card that is about to expire or has already expired.

• Complete and submit Form I-90 to USCIS.

• Pay the required fee, unless eligible for a fee waiver.

• Provide proof of identity and supporting documents if the card is lost or damaged.

• Maintain lawful permanent resident status.

How long does the renewal process take?
Processing times vary, but it typically takes between 6 and 12 months. USCIS may issue a receipt that extends the validity of the expired Green Card until the new one is received.

Can I travel if my Green Card is expired?
If you have received an extension notice from USCIS, you can usually travel. However, it is recommended to check with the airline and immigration authorities before leaving the country.

What should I do if my Green Card is lost or damaged?
You must file Form I-90 and provide supporting documentation to obtain a replacement.

To qualify for Temporary Protected Status, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a citizen or habitual resident of a country designated for TPS.

• Have been physically present in the U.S. since the TPS designation date for their country.

• Have continuously resided in the U.S. since the date specified by USCIS.

• Have not committed certain crimes that would disqualify them from this benefit.

• File the application during the initial registration period or re-registration period.

To apply for Temporary Protected Status, the following requirements must be met:

• Submit Form I-821 to USCIS.

• If seeking work authorization, also submit Form I-765.

• Provide proof of nationality and residence in the U.S.

• Comply with the registration or re-registration deadlines set by USCIS.

• Not be subject to grounds of inadmissibility under immigration law.

How long does TPS last?
The duration of TPS depends on the country’s designation and can be periodically extended by the U.S. government.

Does TPS lead to permanent residency?
Not directly, but some beneficiaries may be eligible for other adjustment of status options.

What happens if my country loses its TPS designation?
Beneficiaries will have a period of time to leave the U.S. or pursue other legal immigration options.

To be eligible for DACA renewal, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have previously held valid DACA status.

• Not have left the U.S. without Advance Parole after their last DACA approval.

• Have continuously resided in the U.S. since their last DACA approval.

• Not have been convicted of felonies, certain misdemeanors, or pose a threat to public safety.

To apply for DACA renewal, the following requirements must be met:

• Submit Form I-821D to USCIS.

• Submit Form I-765 to renew the work permit.

• Pay the required fees, unless eligible for a fee waiver.

When should I renew my DACA?
It is recommended to submit your renewal application 120 to 150 days before your current permit expires.

Can I continue working if my DACA expires before the renewal is approved?
No, if your DACA and work permit expire before your renewal is approved, you cannot legally work until you receive the new approval.

Does DACA provide a pathway to permanent residency?
Not directly, but some beneficiaries may be eligible for other adjustment of status options.

To qualify for Advance Parole, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid immigration status or a pending application with USCIS.

• Demonstrate that the travel is for humanitarian, educational, or employment reasons.

• Not be subject to a removal order or inadmissibility that would prevent reentry to the U.S.

• Not have departed the U.S. without prior authorization while having a pending case with USCIS.

To apply for Advance Parole, the following requirements must be met:

• Submit Form I-131 to USCIS.

• Pay the required fee, unless eligible for a fee waiver.

• Provide evidence supporting the purpose of the travel.

• In some cases, attend a biometrics appointment for fingerprinting and a photograph.

How long does it take to get Advance Parole approved?
Processing times vary, but it generally takes between 3 and 6 months. In urgent cases, expedited processing may be requested.

Can I travel without Advance Parole if I have a pending case with USCIS?
No, leaving the U.S. without this permit may be considered an abandonment of your case and could affect your immigration process.

Does Advance Parole guarantee my reentry to the U.S.?
No, approval of Advance Parole does not guarantee admission to the country. The final decision is made by the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Immediate family members of the following may apply for Parole in Place:

• Active duty members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.

• Reservists on active duty.

• Honorably discharged veterans.

Eligible family members include:

• Spouses.

• Parents.

• Unmarried children under 21 years old.

To apply for Parole in Place, the following is generally required:

• Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.

• Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.).

• Evidence of the sponsor member's military status.

• Proof of identity (passport or other valid identification).

• A letter of explanation detailing the humanitarian reasons for requesting Parole in Place.

Does Parole in Place lead to permanent residency?
Not directly. However, it can facilitate the adjustment of status to permanent residency in certain cases.

How long does Parole in Place last?
It is typically granted for one year, with the possibility of renewal.

Can I obtain a work permit with Parole in Place?
Yes, upon receiving Parole in Place, you can apply for a work permit (Employment Authorization Document).

Do I need to leave the U.S. to adjust my status after receiving Parole in Place?
No. Parole in Place allows you to adjust your status without leaving the U.S., in certain cases.

Does Parole in Place affect my chances of obtaining permanent residency?
It does not negatively affect your chances and, in many cases, it facilitates the adjustment of status process.

A Work Permit is available to individuals with certain immigration statuses or pending applications, including:

• Asylum applicants with pending or approved cases.

• Individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

• DACA recipients or beneficiaries of humanitarian programs.

• Applicants for adjustment of status to permanent residency.

• Spouses of certain nonimmigrant visa holders, such as H-1B or L-1 visa holders.

• Individuals with other immigration permissions eligible for employment authorization.

To apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), the following requirements must be met:

• Submit Form I-765 to USCIS.

• Pay the required fee, unless eligible for a fee waiver.

• Provide proof of eligibility for employment authorization.

• Include copies of identity documents and immigration status.

How long does it take to get a Work Permit approved?
Processing times vary, but it generally takes between 3 and 7 months. USCIS offers expedited processing in certain cases.

Does a Work Permit give me legal status in the U.S.?
No, a Work Permit only grants authorization to work; it does not change the applicant's immigration status.

How long is a Work Permit valid?
The validity of a Work Permit depends on the type of application and can range from 1 to 2 years, with the option to renew.

To be eligible for Adjustment of Status, the applicant must meet certain criteria, such as:

• Having been lawfully admitted to the U.S. with a valid visa or under parole.

• Having an approved immigrant petition and an available immigrant visa.

• Not having committed immigration violations that would disqualify them.

• Being the beneficiary of a family-based or employment-based petition, or qualifying under a special category (e.g., asylees, refugees, or victims of certain crimes).

To apply for permanent residency through Adjustment of Status, the following requirements must be met:

• Submit Form I-485 to USCIS.

• Have an approved petition (Form I-130, I-140, or others).

• Provide proof of lawful admission to the U.S.

• Undergo a medical examination and submit Form I-693.

• Pay the required fees, unless eligible for a fee waiver.

• Not have violated the terms of the visa under which they entered.

How long does Adjustment of Status take?
Processing times vary, but it generally takes between 8 and 14 months, depending on the eligibility category and USCIS workload.

Can I work while my Adjustment of Status is pending?
Yes, if you file Form I-765 along with your Adjustment of Status application, you can obtain a temporary Work Permit.

Can I travel outside the U.S. while my Adjustment of Status is pending?
Yes, but only if you apply for and receive Advance Parole before leaving the country.

To apply for permanent residency through Consular Processing, the following requirements must be met:

• Have an approved immigrant petition (Form I-130 or I-140).

• Have an immigrant visa available according to the Department of State's Visa Bulletin.

• Complete and submit Form DS-260 online.

• Provide proof of family relationship or employment, as applicable.

• Undergo a medical examination with an authorized provider.

• Not be subject to grounds of inadmissibility or submit a waiver application if applicable.

How long does Consular Processing take?
Processing times vary depending on the visa category and the applicant's country of origin, but it generally takes between 6 and 12 months.

Can I work in the U.S. while waiting for my visa through Consular Processing?
No, the applicant must wait outside the U.S. until the immigrant visa is approved.

What happens if my visa is denied?
If the visa is denied, the consular officer may indicate whether there is an option to submit additional information or apply for a waiver of inadmissibility.

To be eligible for this waiver, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be the spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

• Have an approved immigrant petition and be in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa.

• Demonstrate that separation would cause extreme hardship to the qualifying relative.

• Not have serious criminal records or other additional grounds of inadmissibility.

To apply for this waiver, the following requirements must be met:

• Submit Form I-601A to USCIS.

• Pay the required fee, unless eligible for a fee waiver.

• Provide evidence of the relationship with the qualifying relative.

• Present proof that the separation would cause extreme hardship to the family member.

• Not have committed other offenses that would prevent waiver approval.

How long does the I-601A waiver process take?
Processing times vary, but it generally takes between 2 and 4 years.

Does the I-601A waiver guarantee visa approval?
No, the waiver only removes the reentry ban. The applicant must still complete the consular interview and meet other immigration requirements.

What is considered extreme hardship?
Factors such as medical, financial, or emotional difficulties that would significantly impact the qualifying relative in the event of prolonged separation.

Anyone can file a FOIA request, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals involved in immigration processes. This tool is especially useful for:

• Individuals seeking to review their immigration history.

• People who have had previous interactions with USCIS, ICE, or CBP.

• Individuals in removal proceedings who need documents for legal defense.

• People who have applied for immigration benefits and want copies of their previous applications.

To request information under FOIA, the following requirements must be met:

• Submit a request to the appropriate government agency (USCIS, ICE, CBP, or another entity).

• Provide detailed information about the records being requested.

• Include personal details to assist in the search, such as full name, date of birth, and Alien Number (if applicable).

• In some cases, provide a signed authorization if requesting information on behalf of another person.

How long does a FOIA request take?
Processing times vary by agency and the complexity of the request, but it can take between 30 and 90 days.

Can FOIA provide all of my immigration records?
It depends on the agency and the availability of records. Some documents may be protected by legal exemptions.

Can I expedite my FOIA request?
In cases of emergencies or urgent legal proceedings, expedited processing can be requested.