Your Step-by-Step Path Toward U.S. Citizenship
This timeline outlines the possible next steps on your journey toward becoming a U.S. citizen — for both you and your eligible family members — after approval of your initial immigration case. It explains which immigration applications may be available to you next and the earliest time you may qualify to file them, based on the type of immigration benefit you originally received.
Because every immigration case is unique, eligibility requirements and waiting periods can vary. Before applying for any additional immigration benefit, it is important to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer to confirm that you qualify and to avoid delays or complications.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Contact our experienced immigration attorneys today to review your eligibility, avoid costly mistakes, and create the best strategy for achieving your American dream. Call (617) 303-2600 (Ext. 0) to schedule your consultation or complete our consultation request form now and move forward with confidence.
| Case Type: Asylum |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| File I-765 (work authorization application) and I-131 (travel authorization application) |
At time ofyour Asylum approval |
| File for asylum (I-703) for spouse and unmarried children under 21 even if they are outside the US |
At time of your Asylum approval |
| File I-485 (residency petition) |
12 months after your Asylum approval |
| Apply for citizenship (N-400) |
57 months after your residency approval (maybe earlier if you have a US Citizen spouse) |
| Apply for residency of immediate family members not included in your residency petition |
At time of your citizenship approval |
| Case Type: Marriage/Conditional Residence |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| Petition for all unmarried children even if they are outside the US |
At time of your Conditional Residency approval |
| Apply for Removal of Residency Conditions |
21 months after your residency approval |
| Apply for citizenship (N-400) |
33 months after your Conditional Residency approval (if still married to US citizen, otherwise 57 months after Conditional Residency approval) |
| Apply for residency of immediate family members not included in your residency petition |
At time of your citizenship approval |
| Case Type: Family Residency other than Marriage |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| Petition for residency for spouse & all unmarried children even if they are outside the US |
At time of your residency approval |
| Apply for citizenship (N-400) |
57 months after your residency approval (maybe earlier if married to a US Citizen) |
| Apply for residency of immediate family members not included in your residency petition |
At time of your citizenship approval |
| Case Type: Employment Residency |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| Petition for spouse & all unmarried children even if they are outside the US |
At time of your residency approval |
| Apply for citizenship (N-400) |
57 months after your residency approval (maybe earlier if married to a US Citizen) |
| Apply for residency of immediate family members not included in your residency petition |
At time of your citizenship approval |
| Case Type: H1B Visa |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| File for residency through a Labor Certification Application (LCA) and an employment residency petition (I-140 & I-485) |
Concurrently or at the time of your H1B visa approval |
| File for H4 status for spouse & unmarried children under 21if they are outside the US (if they are inside the US, they can apply for the H4 visa at the same time you filed your H1B visa application) |
At the time of your H1B visa approval |
| Renew H1B status if no Residency has been granted yet |
6 months before H1B visa expiration, no later than day of expiration |
| Repeat step above as necessary until residency is approved |
|
| Case Type: L1A Visa |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| File for L2 visa for spouse and unmarried children under 21 living outside the US (if they are inside the US, they can apply for the L2 visa at the same time you filed your L1A visa application) |
At the time of your L1A visa approval |
| File for L1A visa renewal |
6 months before your L1A visa expiration date |
| File for residency (I-140 & I-485) |
12 months after your L1A visa approval |
| Case Type: E1 or E2 Visa |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| File for E1 or E2 visa for spouse and unmarried children under 21 living outside the US (if they are inside the US, they can apply for the E1 or E2 visa at the same time you filed your E1 or E2 visa application) |
At the time of your E1 or E2 visa approval |
| File for E1 or E2 visa renewal |
6 months before your E1 or E2 visa expiration date |
| Case Type: R1 Visa |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| File for R2 status for spouse and unmarried children under 21, even if they are outside the US |
At the time of your R1 visa approval |
| File for residency, I-360 & I-485 |
At the time of your R1 visa approval |
| Petition for spouse & all unmarried children even if they are outside the US |
At time of your residency approval |
| Apply for citizenship (N-400) |
57 months after your residency approval |
| Apply for residency of immediate family members not included in your residency petition |
At time of your citizenship approval |
| Case Type: Cancellation of Removal |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| Petition for residency for spouse & all unmarried children even if they are outside the US |
At time of your residency approval |
| Apply for citizenship (N-400) |
57 months after your residency approval |
| Apply for residency of immediate family, spouse, or unmarried child under 21 years old |
At time of your residency approval |
| Case Type: Citizenship Application, N-400 |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| Apply for residency of immediate family members not included in a prior residency petition |
At time of your citizenship approval |
| Case Type: All other visas |
| Eligible Application |
Earliest Filing Date |
| File for visa renewal–Call FitzGerald & Company, LLC to inquire about next action |
Usually 6 months before visa expiration, no later than the day of expiration |
Principal Attorney
Desmond P. FitzGerald is a Boston-based immigration, criminal defense and personal injury attorney, founder of FitzGerald Law Company. Inspired by his own immigrant family background and personal immigration experience, he provides dedicated, personalized legal support to individuals, families and businesses navigating the U.S. immigration and legal system. With extensive experience representing clients before state and federal agencies and courts, he has achieved notable successes in complex immigration, personal injury, and criminal cases.
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