USCIS | OFFICE OF POLICY AND STRATEGY | RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION 1

Trends in 

Naturalization Rates: 

FY 2014 Update

Office of Policy and Strategy

November 2016
USCIS | OFFICE OF POLICY AND STRATEGY | RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION 1

Trends in Naturalization Rates: FY 2014 Update 

NOVEMBER 2016

INTRODUCTION

This report describes naturalization trends for immigrants who obtained lawful permanent resident (LPR) 

status between fiscal year (FY) 1973 and FY 2008.1 Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship 

is granted to a foreign national who fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration 

and Nationality Act.2 The yearly number of naturalizations depends both on operational factors, such as 

application processing times, and other factors such as the number of LPRs eligible to naturalize at any 

given time, as well as their motivation to apply and ability to pay the associated fees.3

This fact sheet uses data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization records4

to provide information on the rates of naturalizations by immigrant cohorts, regions of birth, selected 

countries of birth, and classes of admission. An immigrant cohort is defined by the fiscal year when LPR 

status was obtained. A naturalization rate is the percentage of people who naturalized within a specified 

time period. For example, the 6-year naturalization rate for the FY 1994 LPR cohort (that is, immigrants 

who obtained LPR status in FY 1994) is the percentage who naturalized by FY 2000; the 10-year rate for 

the FY 1994 LPR cohort is the percentage who naturalized by FY 2004; and the 20-year rate for the FY 

1994 LPR cohort is the percentage who naturalized by FY 2014. The year 1994 was chosen because it is the 

most recent year for which a 20-year rate is available, and 2004 was chosen because it is the most recent 

year for which a 10-year rate is available. Because immigrants who obtain LPR status are eligible to 

naturalize after 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), we present the 6-year naturalization rate in 

addition to the 10-year and 20-year rates.

NATURALIZATION RATES

The 6-, 10-, and 20-year naturalization rates have risen over time. The 6-year rate has increased from 

19.8 percent (for the 1973 LPR cohort) to 34.7 percent (for the 2008 LPR cohort). This means that for 

those who obtained LPR status in 1973, only 19.8 percent naturalized within 6 years, whereas 34.7 percent 

of those who obtained LPR status in 2008 naturalized within 6 years. Similarly, the 10-year naturalization 

rate has increased from 31.4 percent (for the 1973 LPR cohort) to 54.3 percent (for the 2004 LPR cohort). 

The 20-year rate has also increased, from 41.7 percent (for the 1973 LPR cohort) to 61.7 percent (for the 

1994 LPR cohort). See Figure 1 below.

 

1 This is an update to the fact sheet produced by Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics on naturalization 

trends through FY 2008. This updated fact sheet also includes data on naturalized citizens’ region of birth, country of birth, and class of 

admission. The Federal fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. As such, FY 2014 was October 1, 2013, through 

September 30, 2014.

2 USCIS, “Citizenship through Naturalization” http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization, accessed November 9, 2016.

3 For current filing fees for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, see http://www.uscis.gov/n-400. There is also an $85 biometrics fee 

where applicable. The filing fee may be waived if the applicant can demonstrate an inability to pay. There is no charge for filing the Form N400 through service in the U.S. Armed Forces. 4 The data were restricted to immigrants who were 18 years of age and older when they obtained LPR status. 
USCIS | OFFICE OF POLICY AND STRATEGY | RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION 2

Naturalization rates are low for the 1990 and 1991 LPR cohorts because those included large numbers of 

persons legalized under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986.5 These persons 

generally have lower naturalization rates than other people who obtained LPR status.6 When 

naturalization rates are calculated after excluding people who obtained LPR status under IRCA, the rates 

are similar to, or higher than, other cohorts. The 1991 LPR cohort that excludes IRCA beneficiaries, for 

example, had 10- and 20-year naturalization rates of 49.3 percent and 63.7 percent, respectively.

Figure 1

6-Year, 10-Year, and 20-Year Naturalization Rates for FY 1973-2004 LPR Cohorts through 

FY 2014 (Percent Naturalized)

 

5 The IRCA of 1986 legalized unauthorized immigrants who entered the United States before 1982, had resided continuously in the United 

States, and did not owe back taxes or have a criminal record.

6 For more information on IRCA, see “IRCA Legalization Effects: Lawful Permanent Residence and Naturalization through 2001,” Nancy 

Rytina, 2002, Office of Policy and Planning, Statistics Division, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, at 

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/irca0114int.pdf. 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008

Percent Naturalized

LPR Fiscal Year Cohort

20-Year Rates

10-year Rates

6-Year Rates
USCIS | OFFICE OF POLICY AND STRATEGY | RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION 3

NATURALIZATION RATES BY REGIONS OF BIRTH

Naturalization rates vary for those born in different regions of the world. Comparing the 10-year 

naturalization rates between the 1994 LPR cohort and the 2004 LPR cohort, the rate of naturalizations 

increased across all regions of birth. The overall naturalization rate for the 1994 LPR cohort was 46.5 

percent, and the overall naturalization rate for the 2004 cohort was 54.3 percent. However, some regions 

experienced larger increases in naturalizations than others. For example, Africa and the Caribbean saw 

larger naturalization rate increases (by 18.4 percentage points and 19.3 percentage points, respectively) 

than other regions. Ten-year naturalization rates for North America, Oceania, the Caribbean, and Central 

America were below the overall naturalization rates for both the 1994 LPR cohort and 2004 LPR cohort. 

In contrast, the 10-year naturalization rates for Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa were above the 

overall naturalization rates for both the 1994 and 2004 cohorts. See Figure 2 below. The 10-year 

naturalization rates by region for the 1974 and 1984 LPR cohorts can be found in Table 2 of the Appendix.

Figure 2

10-Year Naturalization Rates for FY 1994 and FY 2004 LPR Cohorts by Regions of Birth 

(Percent Naturalized)

59.8

59.6

50.8

47.8

35.2

30.2

24.1

20.4

78.2

65.1

63.7

56.3

40.4

49.5

41.0

29.1

1994 LPR Cohort 2004 LPR Cohort

North America

Oceania

Caribbean

Central America

Europe

South America

Asia

Africa
USCIS | OFFICE OF POLICY AND STRATEGY | RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION 4

19.9

28.6

54.8

66.9

58.0

75.8

65.6 

50.4

31.6

37.1

1994 LPR Cohort 2004 LPR Cohort

China

India

Phillippines

El Salvador

Mexico

NATURALIZATION RATES BY SELECTED COUNTRIES OF BIRTH

Similar to regions of birth, naturalization rates vary by country of birth for each LPR cohort. Comparing 

the 10-year naturalization rates between the 1994 LPR cohort and the 2004 LPR cohort, there was an 

increase in naturalization rates for people who obtained LPR status from many countries as well as an 

increase in the overall number of people who obtained LPR status. For example, the 10-year 

naturalization rate for people who obtained LPR status from Mexico was 19.9 percent in 1994 compared 

to 28.6 percent in 2004 while the overall number of people who obtained LPR status from Mexico 

increased from 68,523 in 1994 to 141,640 in 2004.7 For people who obtained LPR status from India, the 

10-year naturalization rate was 58.0 percent in 1994 compared to 75.8 percent in 2004 while the overall 

number of people who obtained LPR status from India increased from 27,121 in 1994 to 61,249 in 2004.

Naturalization rates declined for people who obtained LPR status from some countries, such as China 

(65.6 percent in 1994 compared to 50.4 percent in 2004). The five countries listed in Figure 3 below (El 

Salvador, China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines) were selected because people who obtained LPR 

status from those countries comprised over 30 percent of the 1994 and 2004 LPR cohorts. The 10-year 

naturalization rates for the 1994 and 2004 LPR cohorts for additional countries can be found in Table 3 of 

the Appendix.

Figure 3

10-Year Naturalization Rates for People Who Obtained LPR Status from Selected Countries 

for FY 1994 and FY 2004 LPR Cohorts (Percent Naturalized)

 

7 The number of people who obtained LPR status is calculated by dividing the number of people naturalized by the naturalization rate. See 

Table 3 in the appendix.
USCIS | OFFICE OF POLICY AND STRATEGY | RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION 5

70.6

61.9

39.7

37.7

71.1

70.1

44.3

49.5

1994 LPR Cohort 2004 LPR Cohort

Family Preferences

Immediate Relatives 

 of U.S Citizens

Employment Preferences

Refugees and Asylees

NATURALIZATION RATES BY CLASS OF ADMISSION8

Refugees and asylees have the highest naturalization rates, followed in order by those who were admitted 

under employment preferences, family preferences,9 and as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, for the 

1994 and 2004 cohorts.10 The 10-year naturalization rates for the 1994 and 2004 LPR cohorts increased 

for all classes of admission. Ten-year naturalization rates for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens 

increased the most (from 37.7 percent in 1994 to 49.5 percent in 2004). 

Figure 4

10-Year Naturalization Rates for FY 1994 and FY 2004 LPR Cohorts by Select Classes of 

Admission (Percent Naturalized)

 

8 Class of admission reflects the immigration category held when becoming a LPR. The four classes of admission depicted in Figure 4 

comprised more than 88 percent of admissions for both the FY 1994 and FY 2004 LPR cohorts.

9 Preference categories apply to family members who are not immediate relatives, such as adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, 

brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens, and adult sons and daughters of LPRs. The visas allotted for these categories are subject to 

annual numerical limits. A visa becomes available to a preference category based on the priority date. In family-based immigration, this is 

generally the date a petition was filed with USCIS.

10 Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens include spouses, children (unmarried and under 21), and parents (where the petitioning U.S. citizen is 

21 or older).
USCIS | OFFICE OF POLICY AND STRATEGY | RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION 6

APPENDIX

Table 1

6-Year, 10-Year, 20-Year, and Cumulative Naturalization Rates by LPR Cohort

6-Year 10-Year 20-Year Cumulative Rate as of 2014a

LPR Cohort 

(Fiscal Year)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

1973 53,810 19.8 85,476 31.4 113,393 41.7 161,566 59.4

1974 51,312 19.2 82,382 30.9 113,354 42.5 158,857 59.6

1975 50,228 19.0 83,563 31.6 117,461 44.3 159,525 60.2

1976 61,294 17.4 118,834 33.8 175,494 49.9 219,959 62.5

1977 54,687 16.4 110,763 33.1 176,360 52.8 213,297 63.8

1978 74,190 17.8 140,314 33.6 221,464 53.1 268,850 64.5

1979 46,487 16.6 88,471 31.6 144,715 51.7 173,892 62.1

1980 70,872 18.7 125,183 33.1 210,005 55.5 244,160 64.6

1981 71,146 16.9 133,725 31.7 233,892 55.4 271,792 64.4

1982 75,112 19.5 132,561 34.4 221,521 57.5 252,709 65.6

1983 70,456 17.6 135,627 33.8 228,558 57.0 262,667 65.5

1984 73,449 18.5 138,491 34.9 228,891 57.6 260,252 65.5

1985 85,726 20.3 147,941 35.0 244,574 57.8 275,652 65.1

1986 83,210 18.6 166,823 37.2 256,316 57.2 286,996 64.1

1987 81,799 18.0 171,198 37.8 260,467 57.4 289,533 63.8

1988 92,779 18.7 183,484 37.1 284,948 57.5 308,487 62.3

1989 139,562 16.1 362,239 41.8 529,237 61.0 559,154 64.5

1990 242,016 18.9 504,502 39.3 703,797 54.9 748,569 58.4

1990b 126,603 26.0 222,128 45.7 297,321 61.2 311,465 64.1

1991 257,253 15.8 520,246 32.0 735,701 45.3 787,250 48.4

1991b 142,691 27.4 257,261 49.3 332,080 63.7 343,954 66.0

1992 137,619 18.3 329,731 43.9 436,253 58.0 452,660 60.2

1993 144,274 21.5 322,194 48.1 420,598 62.8 429,443 64.1

1994 151,147 25.5 275,470 46.5 365,851 61.7 365,851 61.7

1995 146,768 28.2 259,442 49.9 331,894 63.8

1996 187,593 27.8 331,869 49.2 417,204 61.8

1997 155,082 26.1 292,018 49.1 363,883 61.2

1998 122,032 25.3 243,563 50.5 285,848 59.2

1999 122,968 26.3 234,721 50.2 263,413 56.3

2000 191,040 30.0 338,659 53.1 374,715 58.8

2001 271,033 32.7 457,891 55.2 500,442 60.3

2002 317,989 38.0 459,273 54.9 488,044 58.3

2003 197,674 35.9 294,102 53.5 305,374 55.5

2004 270,528 35.4 415,000 54.3 415,000 54.3

2005 332,527 37.3 459,330 51.6

2006 375,506 37.2 472,522 46.8

2007 310,072 36.8 351,783 41.8

2008 307,940 34.7 307,940 34.7

Source: USCIS Legal Permanent Resident and Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, data, FY 1973 – FY 2014.

a The cumulative naturalization rate is the percentage of all people who obtained LPR status in a given year who have become citizens. 

Cumulative naturalization rates through FY 2014 were calculated for each LPR cohort. More recent cohorts generally have lower 

cumulative naturalization rates because they have spent less time in LPR status

b Excludes persons who obtained LPR status under IRCA.
USCIS | OFFICE OF POLICY AND STRATEGY | RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION 7

Table 2

10-Year Naturalization Rates for FYs 1974, 1984, 1994, and 2004 LPR Cohorts by Region of 

Birth

1974 LPR Cohort 1984 LPR Cohort 1994 LPR Cohort 2004 LPR Cohort

Region 

Number of 

People 

Naturalized 

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized 

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized 

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized 

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

All Regions 82,382 30.9 138,491 34.9 275,470 46.5 415,000 54.3

Africa 1,944 40.7 6,828 51.7 12,637 59.8 43,130 78.2

Asia 47,983 51.6 84,618 46.0 140,756 59.6 180,125 65.1

Caribbean 10,507 26.3 12,232 23.3 22,329 30.2 31,906 49.5

Central 

Americaa 1,632 26.5 4,431 26.8 9,254 35.2 21,178 40.4

Europe 12,660 21.1 14,707 29.3 55,994 47.8 54,092 56.3

North 

Americab 2,866 6.4 5,437 10.7 16,270 20.4 44,661 29.1

Oceaniac 346 16.0 472 16.5 893 24.1 2,042 41.0

South 

America 4,284 27.7 9,762 35.3 17,337 50.8 37,866 63.7

Unknown 160 46.9 4 19.0 0 - 0 -

Source: USCIS Legal Permanent Resident and Form N-400 naturalization data, FY 1974 – FY 2014.

a Central America is comprised of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

b North America is comprised of Canada, Greenland, Mexico, and the United States. c Oceania includes Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, 

Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and surrounding island countries.

Table 3a

10-Year Naturalization Rates for FYs 1974, 1984, 1994, and 2004 LPR Cohorts by Select 

Countries of Birth

1974 LPR Cohort 1984 LPR Cohort 1994 LPR Cohort 2004 LPR Cohort

Country

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate 

(Percent)

All Countries 82,382 30.9 138,491 34.9 275,470 46.5 415,000 54.3

Brazil 126 16.8 272 20.0 1,759 51.6 6,223 68.0

Canada 342 7.1 811 10.5 2,625 22.9 4,084 34.3

China 7,631 56.0 8,137 42.9 30,553 65.6 21,007 50.4

Colombia 893 22.1 2,683 32.4 4,051 50.8 9,947 64.7

Cuba 4,944 35.4 1,891 22.9 4,882 38.1 8,425 53.4

Dominican 

Republic 1,442 15.0 2,461 15.5 5,999 17.4 6,973 35.9

El Salvador 366 24.7 1,448 24.9 3,498 31.6 10,139 37.1

Guatemala 294 24.7 582 20.6 1,605 34.1 5,796 41.5

Haiti 681 27.4 2,172 29.2 3,344 37.9 5,541 52.5

India 4,720 46.5 6,806 34.2 15,730 58.0 46,427 75.8

Iran 912 40.6 5,451 46.3 6,065 61.1 6,698 74.7

Jamaica 1,793 27.3 3,359 25.8 4,475 45.4 6,670 61.2

Mexico 2,521 6.3 4,625 10.8 13,636 19.9 40,509 28.6

Pakistan 1,121 54.9 2,391 54.1 3,698 62.1 6,973 74.1

Peru 566 35.7 1,570 44.1 3,375 48.8 6,156 61.8

Philippines 12,640 55.6 19,569 60.8 22,309 54.8 30,649 66.9

Poland 1,050 31.8 4,214 55.5 8,992 44.3 6,622 55.0

South Korea 9,883 56.6 5,614 26.8 4,431 40.3 7,387 49.7

United 

Kingdom 1,014 13.3 1,448 14.0 2,948 22.1 4,550 37.1

Vietnam 1,075 60.2 13,353 55.1 22,961 69.1 18,274 70.8

Source: USCIS lawful permanent resident and Form N-400, Application for Natura

a The countries presented above have some of the highest numbers of people who obtained LPR status for the FY 2004 cohort.
USCIS | OFFICE OF POLICY AND STRATEGY | RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DIVISION 8

Table 4

10-Year Naturalization Rates for FY’s 1974, 1984, 1994, and 2004 LPR Cohorts by Classes 

of Admissiona

1974 LPR Cohort 1984 LPR Cohort 1994 LPR Cohort 2004 LPR Cohort

Class of 

Admission

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate (Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate (Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate (Percent)

Number of 

People 

Naturalized

Naturalization 

Rate (Percent)

All Classes of 

Admission 82,382 30.9 138,491 34.9 275,470 46.5 415,000 54.3

Employment 

preferences 11,149 49.8 15,356 40.9 58,540 61.9 88,797 70.1

Familysponsored 

preferencesb

24,680 39.8 48,606 33.7 52,076 39.7 66,692 44.3

Immediate 

relatives of U.S 

citizensc

22,930 25.8 45,331 29.4 78,595 37.7 172,970 49.5

Refugees and 

asylees 7,624 39.4 29,066 47.8 64,812 70.6 37,716 71.1

Other 

(Diversity Visa, 

IRCA, parolees, 

etc.)

15,999 21.7 132 26.2 21,447 32.2 48,825 58.0

Source: USCIS lawful permanent resident and Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, data, FY 1974 - 2014. a Class of admission reflects the immigration category held when becoming a LPR.

b Preference categories apply to family members who are not immediate relatives, such as adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, 

brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens, spouses and unmarried children (those under the age of 21) of permanent residents, and 

unmarried adult sons and daughters (those 21 years of age or older) of permanent residents. The visas allotted for these categories are 

subject to annual numerical limits. A visa becomes available to a preference category based on the priority date. In family-based 

immigration, this is generally the date a petition was filed with USCIS. c Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens include: spouses, children (unmarried and under 21), and parents (where the petitioning U.S. citizen is 

21 or older).