When pursuing U.S. citizenship, one must submit Form N-400: Application for Naturalization to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Over the past five years, the average wait time for processing Form N-400 has been about 11 months. However, as of the latest data, the current average processing time across all 89 field offices that handle Form N-400 has increased to approximately 15.5 months. The entire naturalization process, including application processing, the citizenship interview and exam, and the oath of allegiance ceremony, generally takes between 18 to 24 months to complete.
Detailed Processing Times for Form N-400
Eligibility to file Form N-400 includes being 18 years or older and having held permanent resident status (a green card) for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. Applicants must also submit the necessary supporting documents and filing fees with their application. Here is a breakdown of the current processing times for Form N-400 across various USCIS field offices:
- Offices in locations like Cleveland, OH, and Spokane, WA are processing applications relatively quickly, with times as low as 5.5 and 6.5 months, respectively.
- Conversely, offices in Charleston, SC, and New Orleans, LA are experiencing longer processing times, up to 13.5 months.
- Most field offices, including those in major cities like Los Angeles, CA, and Miami, FL, have processing times ranging from 7 to 9 months.
- Notably, offices in Nashville, TN, and Salt Lake City, UT are on the higher end of the spectrum, with processing times reaching up to 12.5 and 10 months, respectively.
As processing times for the N-400 form can vary significantly by location and over time, it is essential for applicants to stay informed about the current timelines and prepare accordingly. This ensures a smoother process in pursuing U.S. citizenship, accounting for possible delays and the comprehensive steps involved in the naturalization process.
Historical Processing Times for USCIS Form N-400: Application for Naturalization (2018-2022)
The processing times for U.S. citizenship applications via Form N-400 have shown consistency over the past five years. The average median processing time for these applications was around 10.2 months, according to historical data. Here's a breakdown of the processing times by fiscal year:
FY 2018: Approximately 9.7 months.
FY 2019: Around 10 months.
FY 2020: Slightly shorter at 9.1 months.
FY 2021: Increased to 11.5 months.
FY 2022: Stabilized a bit at 10.5 months.
Expected Timeline for Citizenship Applications
On average, the naturalization process, which includes the application processing, citizenship interview, and the English and civics tests, takes about 18 to 24 months. Although applying for U.S. citizenship is one of the more straightforward processes within the U.S. immigration system, several factors can affect the timeline of your case. These factors include application backlogs, the volume of concurrent applications, potential budget cuts, and staffing fluctuations at the USCIS field office handling your case.
Additional Considerations
When preparing for U.S. citizenship, it's crucial to understand that filing Form N-400 is just one part of the process. Applicants must also prepare for and attend a citizenship interview and pass tests on the English language and U.S. civics. If your application processing time exceeds the normal window, you are encouraged to contact USCIS for further guidance and updates on your case status.