Many folks wish to become U.S. citizens for peace of mind and sense of belonging, to gain the right to vote, and to have the opportunity to sponsor family members to live in the United States.

If you have a green card, you are a lawful permanent resident; lawful permanent residents, who are age 18 or older, apply to become U.S. citizens with the form N-400.  You must be eligible to apply and be accepted.

U.S. Citizen Requirements

Unsure if you’re eligible to become a U.S. citizen through the green card holder naturalization process?  Here are the requirements:

• You must be a lawful permanent resident (i.e. green card holder.)
• If you are not married to a U.S. citizen, you must have had your green card for a least the past 5 years.  If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you must have had your green card for at least the past 3 years.
• You must be at least 18 years of age when you apply for citizenship.
• You must be able to read and write English, with three exceptions.
  • Unless physically or developmentally unable to do so.
  • Unless you are over the age of 50 and have lived in the U.S. for 20 years
  • Unless you are over the age of 55 and have lived in the U.S. for 15 years.
  • You must have a general understanding of U.S. history and government.
  • You must be of good moral character and be willing to abide by the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
  • You must pass the properly fill out the application and supply all documentation; you must pass the citizenship test and the background search.

Military Service Exception

Important Exception:  There is an exception to this naturalization process for war time U.S. military members.  If an individual was in the United States and enlisted in the U.S. military, he or she can apply for citizenship without first becoming a green card holder. 

In addition, if you are currently serving honorably (or have been honorably discharged in the last 6 months) in the U.S. military, with at least 1 year of service, you can apply for citizenship without being a green card holder.

Moreover, if you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, who served in the U.S. military during a past war or is serving currently in combat, you may be able to file for citizenship without meeting the waiting times.

Where to Get Help if You Want to Become a U.S. Citizen

Your next step is to contact our office:  513-791-1673 or Thomasjr@geygan.com.  We will gently walk you through the naturalization process, helping you to become a U.S. Citizen.  In addition, we explain immigration laws; represent you in front of the Department of State, as needed; and aggressively fight for your legal rights.  Contact us if you or a loved one want to become a U.S. citizen.

If you’ve ever thought, “Immigration Laws are sooooo confusing,” you’re not alone – and you’re right.  Immigration law is very detail oriented, with lots of rules and procedures, which change continuously.  That’s why we focus our practice on immigration law and don’t try to be experts in all legal fields.

How We Can Help You and Your Family with Immigration Matters

First off, it’s important that you don’t feel alone and that you know you’re in good hands.  So, we explain how immigration procedures work and, specifically, how we will help you.  For instance, you may need representation in immigration court, help bringing a family member to live with you in the United States, or legal assistance to avoid removal proceedings and deportation.

Secondly, we answer all of your questions and address your concerns.  We explain what to expect, and how your specific immigration issue will be handled.  You will never be surprised.  We’ve found that these conversations help our clients to feel increased peace of mind and to sleep better at night.

Third, we guide you through all immigration matters step by step.  You are never alone, even if you need to go to court, have an immigration interview, or file applications with supporting documentation.

Full Disclosure is Required; Confidentiality is Guaranteed

While we, as your immigration lawyers, do all the things mentioned immediately above, you must be active in your immigration case as well.  Basically, this means that you must be completely honest, and disclose all information even if you think it may be harmful to your case.  We can only help you if we know everything.  Just like a medical doctor can only diagnosis and treat a problem if you disclose all of your symptoms, we, as you immigration attorneys, can only understand your immigration issues and determine what legal path to pursue if we have all the facts.  Once we establish the attorney-client relationship, anything you disclose to us will be held in the strictest of confidences, as required by law.

Where to Get Help with Immigration Issues

We focus our practice on immigration law and help people just like you every day.  We will listen to your concerns and answer your questions; you are not alone.

Your next step is to contact our office:  513-791-1673 or Thomasjr@geygan.com.  We will gently walk you through your immigration issues, even representing you in court and before the Department of State.

It is natural to question the benefit of hiring an immigration lawyer, especially in today’s economy.  However, anytime you are dealing with the legal system, especially a foreign one, it is likely in your best interest to be represented by an immigration attorney.

If you take the following points into consideration, you are likely to view your immigration lawyer fees as an investment in your family’s future and well-being, not as a questionable expense.

An Immigration Attorney is an Investment Because:

* A qualified immigration attorney understands the innermost workings of the legal system as well as the intricacies of the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS.)  In addition, he or she knows how to file the appropriate forms, documentation, and fees.

* An immigration attorney keeps abreast of all the law and policy changes, regarding immigration and helping people like you and your family.

* Your immigration lawyer will literally speak the same language as the immigration officials, English.  In addition, he understands the language and terminology of immigration laws and the USCIS.

* You attorney is legally and morally obligated to be on your side, representing your best interests.

* In all immigration matters, the consequences of failure are extreme:  deportation from the U.S., refusal of admittance to the U.S., and/or separation from family.

* Your immigration lawyer can represent you in court, before the USCIS, and in all meetings or other administrative law courts.

* Your lawyer will answer your questions, address your concerns, and set appropriate expectations so as to eliminate fear of the unknown.

* Once you hire your immigration attorney, you can rest assured that you and your family have an advocate who will aggressively fight for your legal rights.  You’re likely to breathe a great sigh of relief, have increased peace of mind, and sleep better at night.

How to Hire an Immigration Attorney

It’s easy to get help.  We will answer your questions and address your concerns.  Call or email our immigration lawyers today (Thomasjr@geygan.com.) We will gently walk you through your immigration issues and aggressively fight for your legal rights.  Call today:  513-793-6555.

At Geygan and Geygan, we focus our practice on immigration matters so we are uniquely qualified to help you and your family.  Success with immigration matters requires a full understanding of the facts, the immigration law, and the current immigration policies.  Our office is located in Ohio, but we are licensed to practice immigration law throughout the United States.  Please contact our office to discuss how we can help you.  All conversations are confidential.

The law is complex because there are many lawyers in many different areas of legal practice.  You may not understand what an immigration lawyer does and may be wondering, “Can an immigration attorney help me?”

Immigration Lawyers Help Foreign Nationals Enter or Stay in the United States for Many Purposes

Immigration lawyers help foreign nationals (i.e. people from countries other than the United States) come to or stay in the United States.  Perhaps, you want to visit, study, work, live with family, develop an investment or business, entertain, conduct research, become a citizen, or hire a foreign national for work you in the United States.  Immigration attorneys do all of these things to help people like you.

Are Your Needs on the Immigration Attorney Matters List?

Here is a specific list of common immigration matters of how we help our clients.  If you don’t find your needs on this list, or if you’re unsure of what your specific needs are, please feel free to telephone or email our office.  We would be happy to analyze your case and see if we’d be a good fit, free of charge and with no obligation.  Of course, our conversations are strictly confidential.

A Listing of Immigration Attorney Matters

Family and Fiancé/Fiancée Visas

• • Spouses
  • Fiancés
  • Children of Spouses
  • Children of Fiancés
  • Parents
  • Siblings (brothers and sisters)
• H-1B Visas
• H-1B Transfers
• Asylum
• Investment Visas
• PERM/Labor Certificates
• EB-1, EP-2, and EP-3 Visas
• Consular Issues
• E2 Visas
• L1 Visa
• Doctor, Nurse, and Healthcare Visas
• Employment Based Green Cards
• O & P Entertainers, Performers, and Athletes
• I-601 Hardship Waivers
• J-1 Waivers for Physicians
• American Citizenship

Where to get help with immigration matters

It’s easy to get help.  We will answer your questions and address your concerns.  Call or email our immigration lawyers today (Thomasjr@geygan.com.) We will gently walk you through your immigration issues and aggressively fight for your legal rights.  Call Geygan & Geygan today:  513-793-6555.  Our office is located in Ohio, but we are licensed to practice immigration law throughout the United States.

At Geygan and Geygan, we focus our practice on immigration matters so we are uniquely qualified to help you and your family.  Success with immigration matters requires a full understanding of the facts, the immigration law, and the current immigration policies.  Please contact our office to discuss how we can help you.  All conversations are confidential.

Part of the naturalization (i.e. becoming a U.S. citizen) process is taking a test.  The U.S. government just wants to be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into as a U.S. citizen.

Need help with the Form N-400 or the naturalization process?  Your next step is to contact our office:  513-791-1673  or Thomasjr@geygan.com.

We’re here to help; so relax. You have all the information ahead of time and it’s free.  Below, we’ve provided links below so you will have all of the information that you need for FREE.

FREE Study Materials for the English Test

FREE Study Materials for the Civics Test

Unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver, you will take an English and civics test. The English test has three parts: reading, writing, and speaking. The civics test covers important U.S. history and government topics.   See below to learn more about the test and the free study tools available to help you prepare.

The English Speaking Test

During your interview with the USCIS officer for your naturalization application, he or she will evaluate your ability to speak English.

The English Reading Test

You only have to read one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English.

The English Writing Test

You must write one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to write in English.

The American Civics Test

There are 100 civics questions on the naturalization test. During your naturalization interview, you will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. You must answer correctly at least six (6) of the 10 questions to pass the civics test.

Remember, you have all the information ahead of time, there are no trick questions.

You have two opportunities to take the English and civics tests per application.  If you fail any portion of the test during your first interview, you will be retested on the portion of the test that you failed within 90 days.

Where to get help with your immigration issues

If you have immigration law questions or wonder how the law applies in your specific case, be sure to consult with a qualified immigration attorney.  Immigration is a very specialized area of law; be sure your attorney focuses his or her practice on immigration and helping people like you become naturalized U.S. citizens.

We focus our practice on immigration law and help people just like you.  You are not alone.

Your next step is to contact our office:  513-791-1673 or Thomasjr@geygan.com.  We will gently walk you through the naturalization process.  In addition we explain immigration law and issues, represent you in front of the USCIS and Department of State as needed, and aggressively fight for your legal rights.