Immigrant Visas

Might You Have a Claim to U.S. Nationality via Parent(s)?

Persons born in countries other than the United States may have a claim, under U.S. law, to United States nationality if:

• either parent was born or naturalized in the United States, or
• either parent was a United States citizen at the time of birth of the applicant.

With few exceptions, a person born in the United States has a claim to United States citizenship.

Any applicant believing that he or she may have a claim to United States citizenship should not apply for a visa until his or her citizenship has been determined. For further information on this issue, please refer to the Registering Overseas Birth page of the American Citizen Services.

Last updated: 08/12/2005