Is it difficult to become a U.S citizen?

Viper

You will need to have a company sponsor you (but you will not get government jobs or jobs that require you to be a U.S. citizen)

If no company will sponsor you, then you need a blood relative in the USA that can sponsor you.

If non of the above, then you would have to marry an American.

Even if you did one of the above, you could not become a US citizen for at least 6 years. You need to have at least 5 years as a Green card holder to apply for citizenship and it takes about 1 year to get a full green card (you get a temporary working via after 3-6 months usually after applying to live here).

Or, another option could be to apply to the US military, not sure on the entry rules, normally you have to be a green card holder, but they might be able to do something after being a student for 4 years, then they can get you citizenship after being in the military for about 5 years.

Isabelle06

Well, just to tr how some examples here, I just contacted one of the engineers I work with and we have the "same opposite problem". We need to hire certain individuals but most of them are either in student visa or residents who have lived many years in the US...some of them 10years+, so I would say it's very, very difficult to obatin the citizenship, but do not get discouraged, if you are working in a field that is in high demand in the US, I would say as soon as you get here, try to do internships and co-ops. Gain experience and apply for residency if your visa type allows it.
Good luck!

Googly B

Well coming to USA is bad now jobs are disappearing I'd wait to come to usa until things got better.

chuckles951

While you are here on your F-1 visa, you could marry the American boyfriend you will likely find.

The other way is that when you graduate, you line up a job with a company that will sponsor you for an H-1B visa. You better be studying engineering or the sciences for this. Then once you have the H-1B, they would like you so much to sponsor you for a green card. The whole process will take about 10 years.

Getting a masters degree really helps the process.

My Canadian daughter went to Chatham University in Pittsburgh. Nice school. Easy to get into. Only cost about $20,000 a year after the $9000 in aid they offered. Qualifies for Canadian student loans. However, you have to go to grad school after as they do not offer degrees that most H-1B employers will need except for economics. My daughter is now at a civil engineering grad school.

Also consider Smith in Northampton MA. They have an engineering program specifically for women.

If you take a BA degree (except economics) , you will not get employment where you could get an H-1B visa.

You can also get a TN visa after you graduate but until you move to the H-1B visa, you cannot apply for a green card.

I'm Your Captain

You'll need to marry an American.

Whatever you do, don't get married too fast, because they may suspect immigration fraud.

But that would be the best, fastest way.

And chances are, if you aren't married already, and you work in the US, then you'll end up marrying an American.

Killer Queen

If you can get a company to sponsor you on the work visa, it might make it easier. Those who come here with a relative sponsor have at least a ten year wait.

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