59,000 Indians Gain US Citizenship in 2023

In 2023, more than 59,000 Indians officially became citizens of the United States, making India the second highest provider of new citizens after Mexico, according to a report by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The report also reveals that around 8.7 lakh foreign nationals gained US citizenship in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, with over 1.1 lakh from Mexico and 59,100 from India. Eligibility for citizenship typically requires lawful permanent residency for at least five years, although there are exceptions for certain individuals, such as spouses of US citizens or those with military service.

The majority of new citizens in FY 2023 qualified for citizenship by being lawful permanent residents for at least five years, followed by those who were married to US citizens for three years or individuals with military service during specific periods.

Generally, individuals must spend a minimum of five years as lawful permanent residents, while spouses of US citizens need at least three years of residency to be eligible for citizenship. The median duration of lawful permanent residency for citizens naturalized in FY 2023 was seven years.