The United States is a large and diverse country with a high standard of living, plenty of job opportunities and good health care system.Although a person can live in the United States without becoming a full citizen, there are certain benefits and rights that only citizens have.

Benefits of Being a US Citizen

The Constitution and laws of the United States give many rights to the citizens.
Being a U.S. Citizen will provide The many benefits such as:

• Voting. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections.
• U.S. Passport: Having a U.S. passport brings many advantages including, being able to travel to over one-hundred and seventy-four (174) countries without needing to apply for a visa.
• Assistance from U.S. Embassies & Consulates: When traveling abroad consular officials can provide resources and legal aid. The U.S. Government may even intervene on the person is behalf in the event of incarceration.
• Freedom to travel: U.S. Citizens, unlike Permanent Residents, do not have to maintain a residence in the U.S., they have the right to travel and stay in a foreign country as long as they wish and return at any given time.
• No deportation: As an American Citizen, cannot be deported.
• Social benefits: Citizens will be assigned a Social Security Number and have access to Medicare.
• Obtaining citizenship for children born abroad. In most cases, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen is automatically a U.S. citizen.
• Citizenship for children under the age of 18: All under aged children of naturalized American citizens will automatically receive U.S. Citizenship.
• Sponsor close relatives: U.S. Citizen may sponsor their parents, children over the age of 18 (married or unmarried) and siblings to apply for Permanent Residence without having to wait for a visa.
• Becoming eligible for Federal jobs. Most jobs with government agencies require U.S. citizenship.

Ways To Become a U.S Citizen

Any person may become a U.S. citizen either at birth or after birth.

• If the person are born in the U.S or one of its territories then he/she is a U.S citizen automatically.
• If the person were born abroad and at the time of their birth at least one of the parents was a U.S. citizen then he/she might be eligible to get U.S. citizenship through acquisition.
• If a child is born abroad then it typically follows a process where the U.S. citizen applies for Certificate of Citizenship.

• Citizenship after birth is what most immigrants might be eligible for. If the person is a foreign national the first step to become a U.S citizen is to become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder). If the person is not yet a Green Card holder then learn more about "Green Card process".
• The process to gain citizenship after birth is called Naturalization.

Citizenship through naturalization

Naturalization is the process by which US citizenship is granted voluntarily to a citizen not born in the United States. The applicant must meet the requirements established by the U.S. Congress.

Requirements to apply for naturalization

To be eligible for naturalization the person must meet the following requirements:

• Being at least 18 years of age.
• The person has been a permanent resident for a period of time. The usual time is 3 to 5 years. This depends on how the person got the status.
• Possess good moral character.
• Having a clean criminal record.
• The person has a basic understanding of the US government. This point has exceptions for possible permanent physical or mental limitations.
• The person has a period of physical and continuous residence in the US.
• Basic level written, read and spoken in the English language. It also has exceptions for those:
  • 55 years old and have been a resident for at least 15 years or;
  • 50 years old and have been a resident for at least 20 years or;
  • Possessing a mental or physical disability that prevents them from meeting these requirements. 

Process for obtaining U.S. citizenship by naturalization

After meeting the eligibility requirements, the immigrant must follow these steps:

1. Fill out form N-400. Complete Form N-400, Application for Naturalization and send it along with the USCIS filing fee to the service center indicated in the instructions of the form and its necessary documentation.
2. Biometrics appointment. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will receive and review the application and schedule an appointment to obtain his/her fingerprints. This is an essential requirement for the rest of the naturalization process.
3. Go to the interview. It is the last step to obtain US citizenship. Go to the interview where he/she will take the naturalization test. During the interview person must pass the test that a USCIS officer will take.
4. Take the Oath of Allegiance. At this point, and if the person has passed the interview and test, he/she will receive a notification to appear at the oath ceremony.
5. Become a U.S. citizen.Finally he/she will receive the naturalization certificate and become a U.S. citizen.

Please read Difference Between Naturalization And Citizenship

Please read Difference Between U.S. Visa, Green Card and U.S. Citizenship