There are several important rules to follow when seeking U.S. citizenship. Achieving citizenship brings immense joy, but the journey isn’t easy. You need to take certain actions and avoid mistakes on your path to citizenship. To navigate the five-year period, here are four important missteps to avoid.
Forgetting to renew your green card
Your green card is very important. It shows you can live and work in the U.S. Don’t let it expire. Check the date on your card often. Start the renewal process 6 months before it expires.
If your card expires, you might have problems with work, travel or proving your status. Always keep your green card with you. If you lose it, report it immediately and apply for a replacement.
Taking long trips outside the U.S.
Living in the U.S. is key for citizenship. You can travel outside the U.S. and come back before six months. But be careful about long trips abroad. Trips over 6 months can cause problems. They might break your “continuous residence.”
You might need to file a special form to protect your status when planning extended travel abroad. Remember, the U.S. should be your main home. If you need to travel for a long time, consider these factors first: the purpose of your trip, its duration and how it might affect your residency status.
Not paying taxes
Paying taxes is a must for citizenship. It’s important that you file your taxes every year, even if you don’t owe money. This includes federal, state and local taxes and keep copies of all your tax returns and payments. These show you’re following U.S. laws and are part of the community.
It also comes in handy when applying for citizenship, as tax records are often asked for in citizenship applications. Don’t try to avoid paying taxes. This can seriously hurt your chances of becoming a citizen.
Breaking the law
To become a citizen, you must show “good moral character.” This means following all laws, local and federal. Even minor legal problems can negatively impact your citizenship application. Be extra careful. At the most basic level, you should not drink and drive, follow all traffic rules and practice honesty in everything, especially on all government forms.
Your actions in the past five years are very important for citizenship. Some mistakes can be fixed, but it’s best to avoid them.
