Fact check: How long must you wait after getting a green card to apply for US citizenship?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, the standard waiting period to apply for US citizenship after obtaining a green card is five years ^{[1] [2]}. Multiple sources consistently confirm that applicants must have been a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States for at least five years to be eligible for naturalization.

However, there is an important exception for spouses of US citizens, who only need to wait three years before applying for citizenship ^[2]. This represents a significant reduction in the waiting period for this specific category of green card holders.

The sources also emphasize that applicants must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least five years immediately before filing Form N-400 (the naturalization application) ^[1], indicating that the requirement is not just about holding the green card for five years, but maintaining continuous residence during that period.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several important contextual elements that affect the citizenship application timeline:

• Marriage exception: The question doesn't acknowledge that spouses of US citizens have a shorter three-year waiting period rather than the standard five years ^[2]
• Continuous residence requirement: Beyond simply holding a green card for the required time, applicants must demonstrate continuous physical presence and residence in the United States ^[1]
• Additional eligibility requirements: The sources indicate there are other naturalization requirements beyond just the waiting period, including age considerations and language/civics testing requirements, though some older permanent residents may be exempt from English testing ^[1]
• Processing time considerations: While not directly addressing the waiting period, one source mentions current USCIS processing times ^[3], which could affect when someone actually receives citizenship even after applying

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself is straightforward and factual, seeking specific information about citizenship eligibility timing. There is no apparent misinformation or bias in the question as posed.

However, the question's simplicity could potentially mislead someone into thinking the waiting period is uniform for all green card holders, when in reality there are significant exceptions (such as the three-year rule for spouses of citizens) that could substantially impact an individual's timeline to citizenship ^[2]. The question would benefit from acknowledging these variations to provide a more complete understanding of citizenship eligibility requirements.