When you apply for citizenship, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) will review your eligibility. They conduct investigations to check for potential issues with your case. Based on common experiences, the following are the main reasons your application may be denied:
- Failing the English test and the citizenship civics test
- Obtaining a green card through fraud
- Extended stays outside the United States
- Failing to prove “good moral character”
How to Avoid Citizenship Application Denial
1. Study for the English Test and Citizenship Civics Test
To be eligible for citizenship, you must prove that you:
- Can speak, read, and write basic English
- Understand basic U.S. citizenship knowledge and history
This requirement is waived for elderly applicants and those who have held a green card for an extended period.
USCIS states that applicants will take the tests at the start of the citizenship interview. Approximately 90% of applicants pass the tests. If you fail, the interview may end, but you can retake the tests. To avoid failure, carefully study the question bank we provided: The Latest 128 Questions for the U.S. Citizenship Test.
2. Review Your Immigration History
The Trump administration made it more difficult to enter the U.S. or obtain citizenship. Through the citizenship application process, they will review your entire immigration history. USCIS will use your fingerprints to check all your immigration records, including past records or records under different names. They may review your previous applications to verify if your answers are consistent and logical across different submissions. USCIS will also investigate whether you used fraudulent means to obtain your green card.
- If you obtained a green card through marriage, they may investigate your marital relationship or marital history.
- If you obtained a green card through government asylum, they may investigate your connections to certain groups.
To prepare, review all your past applications. If you have concerns about your immigration history, seek legal assistance.
3. Understand Travel and Residency Rules
There are specific residency rules in the U.S. that affect your citizenship eligibility. Extended stays outside the U.S. may even result in the loss of your lawful permanent resident (green card) status.
To qualify for a citizenship application, you must:
- Have resided in the U.S. for the past 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
- Have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half of that 5-year period (913 days)
- Avoid trips outside the U.S. that last more than 6 months (as a safe guideline)
- Have resided in the specific USCIS district or state where you plan to apply for at least 3 months
For more information, click here to visit the official USCIS website.
4. Obey the Law and Avoid Legal Issues
To be eligible for citizenship, you must prove “good moral character.” This means you must comply with the law and meet community standards, including paying taxes on time and fulfilling child support obligations (if ordered by a court). USCIS will use your fingerprints to investigate your “moral character.” If you have questions about past arrests or other legal issues, consult an attorney.
Note: In most cases, citizenship applications are approved. The approval rate has been approximately 90% in recent years.