[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":3,"doc-seo-310175-105":59,"doc-detail-310175-en":130},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,13,18,23,28,33,38,43,48,51,55],{"id":8,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":10,"show_sort_weight":11,"slug":12},1,"Document","Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":14,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":15,"show_sort_weight":16,"slug":17},2,"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":19,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":20,"show_sort_weight":21,"slug":22},4,"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":24,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":25,"show_sort_weight":26,"slug":27},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":29,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":30,"show_sort_weight":31,"slug":32},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":34,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":35,"show_sort_weight":36,"slug":37},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":39,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":40,"show_sort_weight":41,"slug":42},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":44,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":45,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":47},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":46,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":49,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":50},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":52,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":53,"show_sort_weight":52,"slug":54},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":56,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":57,"show_sort_weight":24,"slug":58},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":60,"data":61},"ok",{"site_id":62,"language":63,"slug":64,"title":65,"keywords":66,"description":67,"schema_data":68,"social_meta":123,"head_meta":125,"extra_data":127,"updated_unix":129},105,"en","obstacles-to-obtaining-us-citizenship-long-processing-times-and-naturalization-requirements","Obstacles to Obtaining US Citizenship - Long Processing Times and Naturalization Requirements","","Obstacles to obtaining US citizenship explain why the process remains difficult even for refugees who often naturalize faster than other lawful permanent residents. The material highlights a prohibitive cost structure, including USCIS application fee increases and recurring expenses when applicants must reapply. It outlines naturalization requirements covering age and residency, good moral character, English and civics testing, oath readiness, and special provisions for children under 18 and disability exceptions via Form N-648, including documentation expectations and common denial grounds.",{"@graph":69,"@context":122},[70,84,105],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":40,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/research-report/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/obstacles-to-obtaining-us-citizenship-long-processing-times-and-naturalization-requirements/310175/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/obstacles-to-obtaining-us-citizenship-long-processing-times-and-naturalization-requirements/310175.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Elsa","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-10","2026-09-20",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":44},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",{"@type":106,"mainEntity":107},"FAQPage",[108,114,118],{"name":109,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":111},"Why does obtaining US citizenship remain difficult even if refugees may acquire it faster?","Question",{"text":112,"@type":113},"The process still faces obstacles such as a significant denial rate and high costs. Applicants may also need to apply multiple times, compounding expenses.","Answer",{"name":115,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":116},"What are the core naturalization eligibility requirements mentioned?",{"text":117,"@type":113},"Applicants must be lawfully admitted for permanent residence, continuously reside in the US for the required period, remain physically present for at least half of that time, and demonstrate good moral character during the statutory period.",{"name":119,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":120},"How do disability exceptions work for the English and civics requirements?",{"text":121,"@type":113},"Applicants who cannot meet requirements due to a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment can seek exceptions. The exceptions must be completed by a licensed MD/DO or clinical psychologist, using medical certification for Form N-648, with specific information describing diagnosis, duration, functional impact, and eligibility criteria.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":124,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":126,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":128,"site_id":62},310175,1790216292,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":131},{"doc_id":128,"user_id":132,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":4,"category_id":39,"category_name":40,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":44,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":8,"language":139,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":140,"faqs":141,"seo_title":142,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":143,"read_time":81,"preview_page_count":4},137455077381,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_994ba38a5ba835b3df7d355c54d3ed8d","OBSTACLES TO  \nOBTAINING US CITIZENSHIP  \nOn average, refugees acquire citizenship faster than other categories of lawful permanent residents  \nHowever, there is still a 10% denial rate.  \n| \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>PROHIBITIVE COST\u003Cbr>Obtaining US citizenship is expensive!\u003Cbr>USCIS application fees were $725 until October 2020, when they increased to $1200 (though this cost does include biometrics i.e. running fingerprints/photos for background checks) .\u003Cbr>In addition to the application fee, applicants can expect to pay between $500-$2000 in lawyer fees\u003Cbr>$725\u003Cbr>$1200 |\n| --- |\n| Some applicants have to apply multiple times, and\u003Cbr>Former USCIS fees Fees as of\u003Cbr>end up paying these fees each time. October 2020 |\n\nNaturalization requirements:  \nLONG PROCESSING TIMES  \nTHE TEST:  \n1. English: speaking, reading, writing i i  \n18 yo +  \nLawfully admitted for permanent residence  \nContinuously reside in US past 5 yr (3 if married to US citizen) Remain physically present in US for at last half of past 5 yr Good moral character during statutory period  \nPass english and civics tests  \nUnderstand and willing to take oath of allegiance  \nChildren \u003C18 can be naturalized if parent has naturalized, but separate form (N-600) and application fee are required  \n8 . 8  \nmonths  \n2. C v cs  \nException to the English and Civics requirements for naturalization applicants who cannot meet the requirements because of a physical or developmental disability, or mental impairment  \nMust be completed by licensed MD/DO or clinical psychologist  \nmedical certification for disability exceptions  \nEnglish test exceptions:  \n>50 yo age + US permanent resident 20 yrs  \n55+ yo age + US permanent resident 15 yrs  \nRequirements:  \n1. Diagnosis of physical, developmental or mental impairment (or combo)  \n2. Impairments are medically determinable-old age, poor memory, illiteracy do NOT qualify  \n3. Impairment has lasted/will last 12+ months  \n4. Impairment not direct result of illegal drug use  \n5. Unable to meet requirement due to impairment  \nNew FORM N-648  \n When did impairment begin  \n Describe severity of each disability or impairment and basis of assessment  \n Describe how each impairment affects specific functions of daily life, and how related to ability to learn civics/English  \n Explain basis of assessment, including known symptoms, tests, observations  \n Explain which disabilities will last >12 mo  \n Clearly describe how each of applicant’s disabilities/impairments affects his/her ability to demonstrate knowledge + understanding of English/civics  \n Explain why you are certifying this form instead of regular treating MD (if applicable)  \nCommon Grounds for Denial  \n Info on N-648 inconsistent w/ other info in app  \n Typos, improper pronouns  \n Applicants previously applied and passed parts  \n Applicant did not know name of doctor, diagnosis  \n Inconsistency between employment and N-648  \n Multiple forms with different diagnosis  \nSOURCE:  \n“Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.” USCIS, 30 Oct. 2020, [www.uscis.gov/n-648](www.uscis.gov/n-648) .  \nNemecek, J., JD. (2020, October) . Overcoming Obstacles in Obtaining Citizenship. Lecture presented at North American Refugee Health Conference.","cbCaifm9PeUrAMrU","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaifm9PeUrAMrU","pdf",151905,"English","# Prohibitive Cost\n## Application fees and lawyer fees\n## Reapplying multiple times\n# Naturalization Requirements\n## Eligibility basics and continuous residence\n## English and civics test\n## Disability exceptions and Form N-648\n### Medical certification requirements\n### English test exception by age and residency\n### Common grounds for denial","[{\"question\":\"Why does obtaining US citizenship remain difficult even if refugees may acquire it faster?\",\"answer\":\"The process still faces obstacles such as a significant denial rate and high costs. Applicants may also need to apply multiple times, compounding expenses.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the core naturalization eligibility requirements mentioned?\",\"answer\":\"Applicants must be lawfully admitted for permanent residence, continuously reside in the US for the required period, remain physically present for at least half of that time, and demonstrate good moral character during the statutory period.\"},{\"question\":\"How do disability exceptions work for the English and civics requirements?\",\"answer\":\"Applicants who cannot meet requirements due to a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment can seek exceptions. The exceptions must be completed by a licensed MD/DO or clinical psychologist, using medical certification for Form N-648, with specific information describing diagnosis, duration, functional impact, and eligibility criteria.\"}]","Obstacles to Obtaining US Citizenship - Long Processing Times and Naturalization Requirements | PDF",1789876481]