Many individuals wonder if they can apply for U.S. citizenship while their Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, is still pending. The answer is yes, under certain circumstances.
When Can You Apply for Naturalization?
If you have been a lawful permanent resident for at least three years and meet the requirements for naturalization based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, you can apply for citizenship while your Form I-751 is still being processed. However, USCIS will not approve your naturalization application until your conditions are removed.
What Happens During the Process?
- Concurrent Processing:
- USCIS will process both applications at the same time.
- You may need to attend separate interviews for Form I-751 and Form N-400 (Naturalization Application), or they may be combined into one.
- Decision Timing:
- Your citizenship cannot be approved until your conditional green card is converted to a 10-year green card.
Applying for citizenship while waiting for your I-751 decision can save time, but the process requires careful planning.
Contact us to determine if you are eligible and to ensure your applications are properly prepared.
