Fact check: Can you apply for US citizenship immediately after getting a green card?

1. Summary of the results

No, you cannot apply for US citizenship immediately after getting a green card. The standard requirement is that you must be a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least five years before being eligible to apply for naturalization ^{[1] [2]}. However, there is a notable exception for those married to US citizens, who may apply after three years of permanent residency ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important details are missing from the original question:

• You can actually apply slightly before the five-year mark - specifically at four years and nine months for standard cases, or two years and nine months for those married to US citizens ^[4]
• The five-year period starts from the date the green card was granted, not from the date of entry into the US ^[5]
• Beyond just waiting the required time, applicants must meet additional requirements including:
• Maintaining continuous residence
• Demonstrating good moral character
• Passing English and civics tests ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question's simplicity could be misleading in several ways:

• It suggests that citizenship is just a matter of timing, when in reality it's a complex process with multiple requirements beyond just the waiting period ^[5]
• It doesn't acknowledge the existence of different paths to citizenship, such as the expedited process for spouses of US citizens ^[3]
• The question might reflect a common misconception that green card holders automatically progress to citizenship, when in fact naturalization is a separate process with its own distinct requirements ^[5]

This kind of oversimplification potentially benefits immigration consultants and services who might exploit applicants' lack of knowledge about the complex requirements and timeframes involved in the naturalization process.