Vietnam
Hong Kong
TaiwanThe basic requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time as a permanent resident | Five years |
| Physical presence | At least 30 months in those five years |
| Continuous residence | No long breaks |
| Other | Good moral character, English and civics |
How it works for EB-5 investors
EB-5 investors first receive a two-year conditional green card, then a ten-year permanent one through I-829. The two conditional years count towards the five years.
The process
- Apply once you meet the time and residence requirements
- Biometrics
- Interview, including the English and civics tests
- The oath ceremony
Common questions
- Frequent travel: long absences can affect continuous residence.
- Children: minor children generally acquire citizenship under the rules once their parents naturalise.
- Tax: citizens must still report worldwide income under US rules.
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.