U.S. naturalization (Form N-400) for Canadians: becoming a U.S. citizen

Eligibility (5 pillars)

1. LPR status: valid green card at filing AND at interview.
2. Continuous residence: 5 years LPR (3 years if married to USC ≥ 3 years and living together).
   • Trip ≥ 6 months but < 1 year: rebuttable presumption of broken continuity.
   • Trip ≥ 1 year: presumed broken, except with Re-entry Permit (Form I-131) and N-470 (residence preserved).
3. Physical presence: ≥ 30 months out of 5 years (50%) — or ≥ 18 months out of 3 years for USC spouse.
4. State residency for filing ≥ 3 months.
5. Good moral character over the statutory period (5 or 3 years). Criminal record, child-support default, tax non-filing, false statement = potential bars.
6. English test: oral (speaking/understanding) + reading + writing (1 sentence). Age exemptions (50/20, 55/15, 65/20).
7. Civics test: 2025 Civics Test, 20 questions out of 128, ≥ 12 correct to pass.
8. Oath of allegiance to the United States.

Step-by-step process

1. Form N-400: file online (myUSCIS account) or by mail. USD 760 fee (2024 edition). May file 90 days before eligibility ("early filing").
2. I-797C receipt in 2-4 weeks.
3. Biometrics at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC), 1-2 months after filing. Fingerprints, photo, signature.
4. Interview + tests: 4-12 months after biometrics, at a local USCIS field office.
   • Officer reviews N-400 file.
   • English test (oral, reading, writing).
   • 2025 civics test (20 questions chosen at random from 128).
   • Same-day decision: Approved, Continued (RFE or re-test), Denied.
5. Oath ceremony: 2-12 weeks after approval. Receive certificate of naturalization. Becomes U.S. citizen on oath day.
6. Apply for U.S. passport: Form DS-11 + original naturalization certificate.
7. Notify SSA of status change (SSN update).

2025 Civics Test (since October 20, 2025)

USCIS administers the 2025 Civics Test for N-400s filed on or after October 20, 2025.

• Format: oral, in English (unless age exemption).
• Question bank: 128 questions published by USCIS (vs. 100 in the 2008 test).
• Test: 20 questions randomly selected.
• Pass score: 12 correct out of 20 (60%).
• If applicant reaches 12 correct before 20, officer may early-stop.
• If failed, second attempt in 60-90 days. Failure on 2nd = N-400 denial.

Exemptions:

• 50/20: ≥ 50 yo + ≥ 20 years LPR = no English; civics in chosen language (with interpreter).
• 55/15: ≥ 55 yo + ≥ 15 years LPR = no English; civics in chosen language.
• 65/20: ≥ 65 yo + ≥ 20 years LPR = no English; simplified civics (20 questions selected from 20 starred ones).
• N-648 medical: full exemption if medical disability certified by authorized physician.

Good moral character: absolute and conditional bars

Absolute bars (make N-400 impossible):

• Murder.
• Aggravated felony after November 29, 1990 (qualified theft, drug trafficking, etc. — INA §101(a)(43) definition).
• Alien smuggling.

Conditional bars during the statutory period (5 or 3 years pre-N-400):

• Crime of moral turpitude.
• Multiple convictions totaling ≥ 5 years sentence.
• Drug offenses (except single cannabis possession ≤ 30 g).
• Prostitution / pimping.
• Immigration fraud / misrepresentation.
• Sham marriage.
• Polygamy.
• Failure to pay child support.
• Failure to file taxes.
• Lying to USCIS during process.

Travel outside U.S. during 5-year period

• Trip < 6 months: OK, doesn't break continuity or physical presence beyond days absent.
• Trip 6-12 months: rebuttable presumption of broken continuity. Restart counter unless rebutted (continuous U.S. employment, U.S. assets, U.S. family).
• Trip ≥ 1 year: presumed broken. Restart counter. Except Form I-131 Re-entry Permit (up to 2 years abroad) preserves LPR but doesn't fully save naturalization. Form N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization) can save residence if applicant works abroad for U.S. government, international agency, or U.S. company.
• Cumulative total: if total absences over 5 years > 30 months (50%), no physical presence requirement met.

Canada-U.S. dual citizenship

• Canadian side: the Canadian Citizenship Act has allowed dual citizenship since 1977. Becoming a U.S. citizen does not lose Canadian citizenship.
• U.S. side: the N-400 oath includes a renunciation of "foreign allegiance." USCIS treats this as symbolic — dual citizenship is tolerated in practice.
• Tax implications: U.S. citizen = lifelong worldwide taxation (until renunciation Form 8854). FBAR and FATCA continue. Canadian spouse must file I-864 if sponsoring.
• Passport: enter the U.S. with the U.S. passport, Canada with the Canadian passport. Keep both current.

Formulaires officiels (toujours utiliser la dernière édition)

• Form N-400 — Application for Naturalization
• Form N-648 — Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions
• Form N-470 — Preserve Residence for Naturalization
• Form I-131 — Re-entry Permit
• USCIS — 2025 Civics Test (128 questions)
• Form DS-11 — U.S. Passport Application