Naturalization After 5 Years as Green Card Holder in Pomona: Complete N-400 Guide

Quick Answer

Pomona has a large immigrant community including many Arab Americans who have been lawful permanent residents for 5 or more years and are ready to take the final step toward U.S. citizenship. Naturalization after 5 years as a green card holder is the most common path to citizenship for immigrants in Pomona and throughout the Inland Empire. SoCal Immigration Services provides Arabic-speaking N-400 assistance to help Pomona residents successfully navigate the naturalization process. Call (714) 421-8872 to get started.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

The 5-Year Rule: Who Is Eligible for Naturalization?

The standard path to U.S. citizenship requires green card holders to wait 5 years before applying for naturalization. However, there are important nuances to this rule that Pomona residents must understand before filing Form N-400.

Eligibility Category	Wait Period	Key Requirement
Standard green card holder	5 years	Continuous residence and physical presence
Married to U.S. citizen (living together)	3 years	Must still be married and living with citizen spouse
Military service during hostilities	No wait period	Must have served honorably
Military service during peacetime	1 year of service	Must have served honorably
Refugees and asylees	5 years from green card (not asylum grant)	Same physical presence rules apply
Battery/extreme cruelty by U.S. citizen spouse	3 years	Special VAWA provisions apply

Continuous Residence Requirement Explained

The continuous residence requirement for the standard 5-year path means you must have resided continuously in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years immediately before filing Form N-400. This is separate from the physical presence requirement. Continuous residence is broken if you are absent from the U.S. for more than 180 days (6 months) in a single trip.

•Single trips of less than 6 months: Do not break continuous residence but count against physical presence
•Single trips of 6 months to 1 year: Create a rebuttable presumption of broken continuous residence — you must prove otherwise
•Single trips of more than 1 year: Break continuous residence; you must re-establish it from the date of return
•Multiple shorter trips: Can cumulatively break continuous residence if combined effect shows abandonment
•Preservation of residence: Form N-470 can preserve residence for certain overseas employment (U.S. government, American companies)
•If residence was broken: You must wait a new 5-year period from your last entry before filing N-400

Physical Presence Requirement: The 30-Month Rule

In addition to continuous residence, you must have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5-year period before filing N-400. For the 3-year path (married to U.S. citizen), the requirement is 18 months out of 3 years. Physical presence is calculated by counting every single day you were in the United States.

•5-year path: Minimum 30 months (913 days) of physical presence required
•3-year path (married to citizen): Minimum 18 months (548 days) of physical presence required
•All days in the U.S. count toward physical presence, including partial days of arrival/departure
•Trips abroad reduce your physical presence day count even if they do not break continuous residence
•USCIS can request passport stamps, travel records, and other proof of presence
•Gaps in presence documentation can delay or deny your application — keep all travel records

Filing Form N-400: What You Need to Know

Form N-400 is the Application for Naturalization filed with USCIS. As of February 2026, the filing fee is $760 for applicants filing by mail or online ($700 plus $60 biometrics). Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income applicants. The Los Angeles Field Office processes N-400 applications for Pomona residents.

1
Confirm Eligibility and Gather Documents
Verify you meet the 5-year residency and 30-month physical presence requirements. Gather your green card, passport(s) with all travel dates, tax returns for the past 5 years, any court records (arrests, convictions), marriage certificate if married, divorce decrees if previously divorced, and any USCIS notices.
2
Complete Form N-400 Accurately
Form N-400 is 21 pages and asks detailed questions about your background, travel history, criminal history, organizational affiliations, and beliefs. Every question must be answered truthfully — false answers are grounds for denial and can result in deportation proceedings.
3
Submit N-400 and Supporting Documents
File online at my.uscis.gov or mail to the USCIS lockbox. Include your green card copy (front and back), two passport-style photos, filing fee payment, and all required supporting documents. Pomona residents file to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox for online filing or the designated facility.
4
Attend Biometrics Appointment
USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment at the nearest Application Support Center (ASC). The nearest ASC to Pomona is typically in Los Angeles or Ontario. At biometrics, USCIS takes your fingerprints and photograph. This appointment takes approximately 20 minutes.
5
Prepare for and Attend the Naturalization Interview
USCIS schedules an interview at the Los Angeles Field Office (or nearby field office). The interview officer reviews your N-400, tests your English ability (reading, writing, speaking), and administers the civics test. Processing times from filing to interview in the Los Angeles area as of 2026 average 12-18 months.
6
Take the Oath of Allegiance
After passing your interview, you either take the oath at the end of the interview or receive a notice to appear at an oath ceremony. The Los Angeles District holds monthly oath ceremonies. Upon taking the oath, you are officially a U.S. citizen and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

The Civics Test: 100 Questions and How to Pass

USCIS tests naturalization applicants on U.S. history and government using a list of 100 civics questions. The officer asks up to 10 questions during the interview; you must answer at least 6 correctly to pass. Applicants 65 or older who have been a green card holder for 20+ years take a reduced 20-question test and must answer 6 of 10 questions correctly.

•American Government: Principles of democracy, branches of government, Congress, the President, Supreme Court
•American History: Colonial period, the Revolution, the Constitution, Civil War, 20th century conflicts
•Integrated Civics: Geography, national symbols, federal holidays
•100 questions are publicly available on the USCIS website in English and multiple languages
•Study materials: USCIS flashcards, audio recordings, and the official USCIS study guide
•SoCal Immigration Services offers civics test preparation in Arabic for Pomona community members
•If you fail the civics test: You get a second chance at a re-interview scheduled 60-90 days later
•Waiver for 65+/20 years: Takes the 20-question simplified test, administered in the applicant's native language

English Language Requirement and Exemptions

You must demonstrate the ability to read, write, and speak basic English during the naturalization interview. The interview itself is conducted in English. However, several exemptions and accommodations are available:

Exemption/Accommodation	Requirement	Notes
55/15 exemption	Age 55+ and green card holder for 15+ years	May use interpreter for interview; civics test in native language
50/20 exemption	Age 50+ and green card holder for 20+ years	May use interpreter for interview; civics test in native language
Medical disability waiver	Doctor certifies disability prevents learning English	File Form N-648; civics waiver may also apply
No exemption for under-50	Must demonstrate English proficiency	Basic reading, writing, speaking tested at interview
Developmental disabilities	IQ or developmental assessment may qualify	N-648 required from licensed medical professional

Good Moral Character Requirement

To naturalize, you must demonstrate good moral character during the 5-year statutory period (or 3-year period for spouses of citizens). USCIS looks at your conduct during this period and may examine conduct from before this period. Certain crimes permanently bar naturalization, while others bar it only during the statutory period.

•Permanent bars to naturalization: Murder, aggravated felonies, persecution of others, terrorist activities
•Statutory period bars: Crimes involving moral turpitude, controlled substance violations, multiple criminal convictions, confinement for 180+ days, false testimony for immigration benefits
•DUI/DWI: Does not automatically bar naturalization but the officer reviews the full record
•Tax obligations: You must have filed all required tax returns and paid all taxes owed during the statutory period
•Selective Service: Male applicants who were required to register with Selective Service and failed to do so may be denied
•Polygamy: Past or present polygamous marriages bar naturalization
•If you have any criminal record, arrests, or court history: Consult SoCal Immigration Services before filing

Benefits of U.S. Citizenship for Pomona Residents

Naturalization offers permanent benefits that green card status cannot provide. Arab immigrants in Pomona who naturalize gain:

•Right to vote in all federal, state, and local elections
•U.S. passport — travel to 186+ countries without a visa (far more than the Iraqi, Jordanian, Egyptian, or Syrian passport)
•Ability to petition for immediate relative green cards for parents with NO wait time (IR-5 parent green cards become immediately available)
•Complete protection from deportation — naturalized citizens cannot be deported except in rare cases of fraud
•Access to federal jobs and security clearances reserved for citizens only
•Eligibility for federal benefits including Social Security retirement, SSI, and Medicaid
•Children born abroad may automatically acquire citizenship upon your naturalization
•Dual citizenship allowed for most Arab countries — check with your home country's consulate

Contact SoCal Immigration Services for N-400 Help in Pomona

SoCal Immigration Services helps green card holders in Pomona and throughout the Inland Empire prepare complete and accurate N-400 applications. Our Arabic-speaking team reviews your travel history, criminal record, tax compliance, and continuous residence to ensure you qualify before filing. Call (714) 421-8872 to schedule a consultation. We serve Pomona, Ontario, Chino, Diamond Bar, Walnut, and all neighboring communities.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:When should I file my N-400 if my 5-year anniversary is coming up?

A: You can file Form N-400 up to 90 days before you reach the 5-year mark. For example, if your green card was issued February 18, 2021, you can file as early as November 20, 2025. Filing early maximizes your place in line given current 12-18 month processing times.

Q:I traveled a lot during my 5 years. How do I know if I still qualify?

A: The key tests are: (1) Did any single trip exceed 180 days? (2) Do your total days in the U.S. add up to at least 30 months (913 days)? SoCal Immigration Services conducts a free travel history analysis to determine your eligibility before you file.

Q:My English is basic. Will I pass the naturalization interview?

A: The English test at the interview tests basic reading, writing, and speaking — not fluency. The officer reads a simple sentence for you to write (one of 10 possible sentences) and asks you to read one sentence aloud. Most people with conversational English pass without difficulty.

Q:I have a DUI from 3 years ago. Can I still naturalize?

A: A single DUI does not automatically bar naturalization, but the officer will review your full record and may require additional documentation. You must wait until the DUI is outside the statutory 5-year period or demonstrate it does not reflect badly on your moral character. SoCal Immigration Services reviews your specific record before advising you to file.

Q:How much does it cost to apply for naturalization?

A: The USCIS filing fee for Form N-400 is $760 (as of 2026). This includes the biometrics fee. Fee waivers are available if your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Military applicants file for free.

Q:If I naturalize, will my children automatically become citizens?

A: Minor children (under 18) who are lawful permanent residents automatically acquire U.S. citizenship when both parents naturalize (or the single citizen parent has legal custody). Children do not need to file any additional forms — they simply receive a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Citizenship.

Q:How long after applying will I have my citizenship interview?

A: Processing times vary by field office. As of February 2026, the Los Angeles Field Office is processing N-400 cases in approximately 12-18 months from filing to interview. Check the USCIS processing times page for the most current estimate.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Pomona and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: February 18, 2026Last Updated: February 18, 2026

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