Applying for Citizenship While I-751 Removal of Conditions is Pending

Many green card DIYers often make the costly mistake of waiting until after USCIS processes the I-751 removal of conditions before applying for citizenship through naturalization. Even worse, some wait three years after the removal of conditions process is finalized before moving forward with citizenship. With the removal of conditions process taking 20+ months, according to USCIS data, it’s crucial to know that you can apply for citizenship while the I-751 is pending if you are married to a U.S. Citizen. This can save you a significant amount of time, leading to citizenship as fast as possible.

In this guide, we demonstrate the process, timeline, and highlight any mistakes to avoid.

Can You Apply for Citizenship While I-751 Removal of Conditions is Pending

Yes, it is possible and highly recommended to apply for citizenship while your I-751 removal of conditions application is pending. Often, clients on a marriage-based conditional green card assume that the 3-year clock for naturalization starts on the date that conditions are removed.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Rather, the 3-year clock begins the moment that the conditional green card is issued.

Benefits of Applying for Naturalization While the I-751 Is Pending

• Saves one to two years of waiting time for I-751 approval before starting N-400.

• Streamlined interview process for both forms.

• Faster path to voting, sponsoring family, and traveling with a U.S. passport.

• Peace of mind. Citizenship removes the need to renew green cards or deal with conditional status ever again.

A note on divorce

If your marriage ends (divorce, annulment) before the I-751 is approved and before naturalization, the 3-year rule no longer applies. You would then typically have to wait for the 5-year general naturalization rule, and you’d need to file an I-751 waiver (without your spouse) based on divorce, abuse, or extreme hardship.

This can complicate both processes and lead to denial if not handled correctly. Read more about it in our guide about how a divorce impacts your green card.

Optimal Timeline for Naturalization From Conditional Green Card

1. A conditional green card is issued.
2. The conditional green card holder waits 21 months from the date their green card was issued before applying to remove conditions with Form I-751.
   • There is a 90-day filing window leading up to the 2-year expiration date of the green card.
   • Applying too early can result in rejection
   • Applying too late can result in falling out of status
3. The green card holder can apply for U.S. citizenship using Form N-400 as early as 90 days before the three-year anniversary of their conditional green card’s issuance date, assuming they are still married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse.
   • Even if the I-751 is still pending, the individual can still file for naturalization.
   • USCIS typically adjudicates both applications (I-751 and N-400) during the same interview, streamlining the process.

Example Case

Maria, who lives in Fort Lauderdale with her U.S. citizen husband David, received her conditional green card on October 1, 2023.

To remove the conditions, she and David filed their joint Form I-751 on July 10, 2025, falling within the 90-day window before her card’s expiration.

While that petition is processing, Maria plans to apply for citizenship at the earliest possible moment by submitting her Form N-400 on July 7, 2026, taking advantage of the 90-day early filing rule.

USCIS will then likely schedule them for a single, combined interview at a South Florida field office around March 5, 2027, where an officer will first approve the I-751 and then administer the naturalization exam, allowing Maria to become a U.S. citizen that same day.

Combined Removal of Conditions and Citizenship Interview

After you have submitted your N-400 naturalization application, USCIS often bundles together the adjudication of removal of conditions and naturalization.

Here is some key information:

• Combined Adjudication: For efficiency, USCIS will typically schedule a single interview to adjudicate both your I-751 petition and your N-400 application. This saves time for both the applicant and the agency.
• Interview Process: During the interview, the USCIS officer will first address your pending I-751 petition. They will ask questions to confirm the legitimacy of your marriage. If the officer approves the I-751, they will then proceed with the naturalization portion of the interview, including the English and U.S. civics tests.
• Bring Your Spouse: It is critical to bring your spouse with you to this interview. Even if the interview notice you receive only mentions the N-400 application, your spouse’s presence is generally required to adjudicate the I-751.
• Be Fully Prepared: You must come prepared for both interviews. This includes bringing all documentation requested in the N-400 interview notice, as well as updated evidence of your ongoing marital relationship to support your I-751 petition (e.g., recent bank statements, photos, bills, etc.).

Processing Times of I-751 and N-400

• The processing time of the I-751 removal of conditions is taking around 21 months, according to USCIS data.
• The processing time of the N-400 application for naturalization is taking 5.5 months according to USCIS data.

Tip: Filing the N-400 while the I-751 is pending can potentially expedite the adjudication of the I-751. The shorter processing time for the N-400 may prompt USCIS to schedule the combined interview sooner than an interview for the I-751 alone would have been scheduled. This means you might not have to wait the full 21 months for your I-751 to be addressed.