WORCESTER - The Worcester Public Library hosts a U.S. Citizenship class at the main library, at 3 Salem St,, on Wednesday, March 15, at 6:30 PM. The class is held inside the first floor computer lab.
The class covers U.S. citizenship test material. No registration is requires. Attendees must be 18 years old or older.
Additional sessions of the class are scheduled for April 3, April 19, May 1, and May 17.
The citizenship test is the final step in the process of qualifying for naturalization as a citizen of the United States.
To qualify for naturalization, a foreign national must be at least 18 years old, and must have a green card, which is issued to non-citizens with lawful permanent residents. The individual must have had continuous permanent residence in the U.S. for at least five years, or for three years if their spouse is a citizen. They must also show they've been in the United States for 30 months, or 18 months if their spouse is a citizen, and show they've lived in the state where they claim residence for at least three months.
The current fee for naturalization is $760.
For more information, see the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website section on applying for citizenship.
The process to acquire a green card is much more complex and contingent on an even more complex visa system. Depending on the type of visa and the category of eligibility for a green card, achieving eligibility can take several years. Once eligible to apply, the current wait time for processing a green card is 14 to 26 months for those in the U.S. with a visa.
The total cost of various fees to acquire a green card is $1,760 for someone in the U.S.
For more information, see the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website section on green cards.
Image courtesy of Worcester Public Library
