The basic requirements
- Five years as a permanent resident
- At least 30 months physically present in the US during that time
- Continuous residence, good moral character, and English and civics requirements
How it works for EB-5 investors
EB-5 investors first receive a two-year conditional green card, then file I-829 for a ten-year permanent one. The two conditional years count towards the five years.
Common questions
- Frequent travel: long absences can affect continuous residence.
- Children: minor children generally acquire US citizenship under the rules once their parents naturalise.
Planning advice
If some family members still work in Asia, calculate each person’s days in the US in advance and apply for re-entry permits when needed, so citizenship isn’t delayed.