Sep 16, 2026 · 10 min · 14 segments
Applying for U.S. citizenship in 2026? The N-400 naturalization process has more steps, more scrutiny, and more room for error than most people realize — and one mistake can delay your citizenship by…
Miatrai BrownHost
So before submitting a form N-400, the first step is confirming that you meet the eligibility requirements for US citizenship.
Five years as a lawful permanent resident, three years if married to a U.S. citizen, and certain applicants may qualify through military service.
One major change in 2026 is the travel restrictions and national specific holds on certain cases.
On December 2nd, 2025, USCIS issued a policy memorandum to review and place holds on certain benefit applications from individuals in high risk countries as identified in the June, 2025 presidential proclamation titled restricting the entry of foreign nationals to protect the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats.
The impacted countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
However, in practice, we are seeing holds and requests for evidence letters issued on cases asking for evidence of good moral character for individuals from an expanded group.
Nations that were listed in a presidential proclamation issued two weeks after the USCIS policy memo and based on countries listed in presidential proclamation titled Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the security of the United States.
Thus, confirming eligibility before filing can prevent unnecessary delays or denials.
So before submitting a form N-400, the first step is confirming that you meet the eligibility requirements for US citizenship.
Five years as a lawful permanent resident, three years if married to a U.S. citizen, and certain applicants may qualify through military service.
One major change in 2026 is the travel restrictions and national specific holds on certain cases.
On December 2nd, 2025, USCIS issued a policy memorandum to review and place holds on certain benefit applications from individuals in high risk countries as identified in the June, 2025 presidential proclamation titled restricting the entry of foreign nationals to protect the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats.
The impacted countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
However, in practice, we are seeing holds and requests for evidence letters issued on cases asking for evidence of good moral character for individuals from an expanded group.
Nations that were listed in a presidential proclamation issued two weeks after the USCIS policy memo and based on countries listed in presidential proclamation titled Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the security of the United States.
Thus, confirming eligibility before filing can prevent unnecessary delays or denials.
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