US Citizenship for Green card holders

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myct

Registered Users (C)
Guys,
I am a green card holder and I want to apply for US citizenship. Can you please help me with the following...
- What forms do I need. I read at one place that I need N400. However, on INS site, they also have N300 and I am confused
- Should I hire an attorney or can I do it myself?
- Do I need to do anything extra, in order to have a dual citizenship from India.

Thank you so much. I will welcome any help.
 
N400. I think unless you have something complex-crimes/arrests etc. you should be ok filing yourself. You need to have been 5yr greencard holder or 3 yr if married to US citizen and a few other requirements -they are pretty clear .

Also India does not allow dual citizenship. They have the OCI-I just got my US passport back today stamped witht eh OCI or U visa and OCI booklet. This allows unlimited stay in India and pretty much most of the benefits-you can read more in the OCI section of any consulate website.

Good luck with your application!
 
Guys,
I am a green card holder and I want to apply for US citizenship. Can you please help me with the following...
- What forms do I need. I read at one place that I need N400. However, on INS site, they also have N300 and I am confused.

You need N400 application form. How did you get your GC? If it is based on employment, then you need to wait for 5 years after you became a permanent resident (date on your GC). You can apply 90 days before completion of 5 years. If it is marriage based, you can apply 90 days before 3 years. You need to fill in the application form, attach a check for $675, two passport size photos (signed), GC copy for normal cases. Read the instructions for more details.

- Should I hire an attorney or can I do it myself?
Depends, Do you have any issues such as have you been arrested, involved in any legal cases, or are ther any other complications? For normal cases, no need for any attorney. Provide more details so that someone can respond to it.
- Do I need to do anything extra, in order to have a dual citizenship from India.

Once you receive US citizenship, you can apply for OCI using the US passport. OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) is similar to GC and you don't need visas to visit and stay in India. There are other privileges but you cannot vote and cannot apply for any govt. jobs (also no contesting in elections). OCI card is not a passport, as it is not exactly citizenship.
Thank you so much. I will welcome any help.
 
myct said:
Guys,
I am a green card holder and I want to apply for US citizenship. Can you please help me with the following...
- What forms do I need. I read at one place that I need N400. However, on INS site, they also have N300 and I am confused
- Should I hire an attorney or can I do it myself?
- Do I need to do anything extra, in order to have a dual citizenship from India.

Thank you so much. I will welcome any help.
Click to expand...

Start at the following link http://www.uscis.gov/naturalization

You need the N-400.

If you have a straightforward case, you don't need an attorney.

India now offers something called OCI - Overseas Citizenship of India - which you can apply for at any Indian consulate.
 
myct said:
Guys,
I am a green card holder and I want to apply for US citizenship. Can you please help me with the following...
- What forms do I need. I read at one place that I need N400. However, on INS site, they also have N300 and I am confused
- Should I hire an attorney or can I do it myself?
- Do I need to do anything extra, in order to have a dual citizenship from India.

Thank you so much. I will welcome any help.
Click to expand...

1. Use the N-400 form. Good luck!
2. If you don't commit any crime, you can apply for citizenship yourself. It is very easy.
3. India doesn't allow dual citizenship. They have two options: PIO (persons of Indian origin) and OCI (Overseas of citizenship of India). what are the differences between PIO and OCI? Both PIO and OCI allows you to visit India without any visa, to study, to work, to conduct business, etc. The validity of PIO is 15 years. The validity of OCI is lifelong or permanent. PIO requires you to report to Indian authorities or Indian police if you stay in India for more than 180 days and OCI doesn't require you to report to authorities. see the comparison chart of OCI and PIO at http://www.immihelp.com/nri/pio-vs-oci.html OCI is better. It is similar to the US green card. Both PIO and OCI don't allow you to vote, but you can vote only for local elections or mayor elections or governor elections. You can apply for either PIO or OCI at Indian embassy or US consulate, Make sure to apply for your nearest consulate or embassy under jurisdiction.

For example, if you live in Maryland or VA, apply and mail the application to the Indian embassy in Washington DC. http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/default.asp

If you live in NY, use Indian consulate in NYC. If you live in California, use Indian consulate in San Fransisco. http://www.indianembassy.org/embassy/cgi.htm

About dual citizenship, India doesn't allow it. See http://www.immihelp.com/nri/overseascitizenshipindia/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks !!

tnwalker, cpzinga, newRunner & USGC485,
Thank you so much for your replies.
My GC is work based and I just completed my 5 years, so I should be eligible.
I will download the N400 and fill it out.
I wondered if there is something I need to do in advance to get the OCI status, but from your replies, looks like, I can do it only after I get my US citizenship in place.
Thanks again............... :-)
 
cpzinga said:
You need N400 application form. How did you get your GC? If it is based on employment, then you need to wait for 5 years after you became a permanent resident (date on your GC). You can apply 90 days before completion of 5 years. If it is marriage based, you can apply 90 days before 3 years.
Click to expand...
That is not quite true. One does not have to obtain a GC by marriage in order to be eligible for citizenship via the 3-year marriage rule. People who got their GC other than marriage can use the 3-year rule for citizenship if they have been married to a US citizen for 3 years.
 
Jackolantern, I was giving OP an idea regarding starting the process (when to file etc).
Thanks for correcting anyway.
 
I need little help. When my marriage was failing, about 7 years back, my spouse filed for order of protection against me. I replied back and as a result, we both ended up having OP against each other, at the same time. We never violated it and had divorce afterwards. No charges were filed against either one of us at any time, no arrest was made.
I am filing N400 based upon my GC with my company.
Given above, do I have to say "Yes" to Q16? (arrested, cited, detained or charged?)
Please help. Thanks.
 
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