Can I apply for U.S. citizenship after three years of having a Green Card?

Obtaining a U.S. citizenship is not an easy task. The process has many hurdles, and it can take many years for it to come to fruition. Aside from the paperwork and the citizenship test, green card holders must wait a certain amount of time before they can even start applying for their citizenship.

In a certain way, the first step to obtaining American citizenship is to foremost have a green card. There are multiple ways to acquire a green card. People can have work visas, family visas, or spousal visas.

Can a person apply for citizenship after three years of having a green card?

The normal wait time for applying for citizenship while having a green card is five years.

There is an exception, and it is for those who are married to a U.S. citizen. Spousals can apply after 3 years of having their green card.

Another special circumstance are the children of green card holders. If they are under the age of 18 and the parent receives his or her citizenship, the child can apply for citizenship right away. Moreover, if the child is over the age of 18 but younger than 21, he or she can still apply for citizenship without having to wait 5 years.

For those applying, the application process can be started 90 days before reaching the 3 or 5-year mark.