US National vs US Citizen: Key Differences Explained

Key Takeaways

• U.S. nationals include all citizens and non-citizen nationals born in American Samoa or Swains Island.
• Non-citizen U.S. nationals cannot vote, hold federal jobs, or sponsor siblings for immigration.
• Citizens can vote, hold federal jobs, and sponsor more family members including siblings.

Understanding the Difference Between a U.S. National and a U.S. Citizen

When people talk about living, working, or traveling in the United States 🇺🇸, they often use the terms “U.S. national” and “U.S. citizen” as if they mean the same thing. However, these terms have different legal meanings, and the difference can affect a person’s rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. This guide explains what it means to be a U.S. national versus a U.S. citizen, who qualifies for each status, what rights and limits come with each, and why the distinction matters for families, travelers, and anyone dealing with U.S. immigration law.

What Is a U.S. National?

A U.S. national is someone who owes their loyalty to the United States 🇺🇸 and is protected by its laws. This group includes all U.S. citizens, but also a small number of people who are not citizens. The main group of non-citizen U.S. nationals are people born in American Samoa or Swains Island, two territories in the Pacific Ocean. These individuals are not considered U.S. citizens at birth, but they are recognized as U.S. nationals.

Key Points About U.S. Nationals:
– All U.S. citizens are U.S. nationals, but not all U.S. nationals are citizens.
– Non-citizen U.S. nationals are mostly people born in American Samoa or Swains Island.
– U.S. nationals can live and work in the United States 🇺🇸 without needing a visa or green card.
– U.S. nationals can apply for a U.S. passport, but their passport will show their status as a “U.S. national, not a U.S. citizen.”
– Non-citizen U.S. nationals cannot vote in federal elections or hold federal government jobs.

What Is a U.S. Citizen?

A U.S. citizen is someone who has full membership in the United States 🇺🇸 under the law. Citizenship can be gained in several ways:
– By birth in the United States 🇺🇸 or its territories (except American Samoa and Swains Island)
– By birth to U.S. citizen parents, even if born abroad
– By naturalization, which is the legal process for immigrants to become citizens after meeting certain requirements

U.S. citizens have the most rights and responsibilities under U.S. law. They can vote in federal elections, run for public office, and apply for certain government jobs. They also have the right to a U.S. passport, which shows their status as a citizen.

Key Points About U.S. Citizens:
– U.S. citizens are always U.S. nationals, but they have more rights than non-citizen nationals.
– Citizens can vote in federal, state, and local elections.
– Citizens can petition for family members, including siblings, to immigrate to the United States 🇺🇸.
– Citizens must serve on juries if called and register for the Selective Service (for men ages 18-25).
– Citizens can apply for federal jobs and hold elected office.

Who Qualifies as a U.S. National?

The group of people who are U.S. nationals but not U.S. citizens is very small. The main way to become a non-citizen U.S. national is to be born in American Samoa or Swains Island. These islands are U.S. territories, but they do not grant citizenship at birth. Instead, people born there are given U.S. national status.

How to Become a U.S. National (Non-Citizen):
– Be born in American Samoa or Swains Island
– Be born to parents who are non-citizen U.S. nationals

There are very few other ways to become a non-citizen U.S. national. Most people who are U.S. nationals are also citizens.

Who Qualifies as a U.S. Citizen?

There are several ways to become a U.S. citizen:

1. Birth in the United States 🇺🇸 or its territories (except American Samoa and Swains Island):
   • Anyone born in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands is a U.S. citizen at birth.
2. Birth to U.S. citizen parents:
   • Children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents may be citizens at birth, depending on certain rules about the parents’ citizenship and time spent in the United States 🇺🇸.
3. Naturalization:
   • Immigrants can become citizens after living in the United States 🇺🇸 as lawful permanent residents (green card holders) for a certain number of years, passing a citizenship test, and meeting other requirements. The main form for this process is Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
4. Other special laws:
   • Some people may become citizens through adoption, military service, or other special legal provisions.

Rights and Privileges: U.S. National vs. U.S. Citizen

While both U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens have strong ties to the United States 🇺🇸, there are important differences in what each group can do.

Rights Shared by U.S. Nationals and U.S. Citizens:
– Live and work in the United States 🇺🇸 without immigration restrictions
– Apply for a U.S. passport (though the passport will show the correct status)
– Receive protection from the U.S. government while abroad
– Travel freely to and from the United States 🇺🇸

Rights Exclusive to U.S. Citizens:
– Vote in federal, state, and local elections
– Hold federal government jobs and run for elected office
– Serve on a jury
– Sponsor a wider range of family members for immigration, including siblings
– Apply for certain federal benefits and scholarships
– Automatic citizenship for children born abroad (in many cases)

Limitations for Non-Citizen U.S. Nationals:
– Cannot vote in federal elections
– Cannot hold federal government jobs
– Cannot serve on a jury
– May have limits on sponsoring family members for immigration

U.S. Passport: What’s the Difference?

Both U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens can apply for a U.S. passport. However, the passport for a non-citizen U.S. national will clearly state that the holder is a “U.S. national, not a U.S. citizen.” This difference is important when traveling or dealing with foreign governments.

• U.S. citizens receive a regular U.S. passport, which is accepted worldwide as proof of citizenship.
• Non-citizen U.S. nationals receive a passport that looks similar but has a special note about their status.

For more details on passport eligibility and application, visit the U.S. Department of State’s official passport page.

Real-World Examples

To better understand how these differences play out, let’s look at some real-life scenarios:

Example 1: Born in American Samoa
Maria was born in American Samoa. She moves to California to attend college. She does not need a visa or green card to live, study, or work in the United States 🇺🇸 because she is a U.S. national. However, when she applies for a federal government job, she learns she is not eligible because she is not a U.S. citizen. She also cannot vote in federal elections.

Example 2: Naturalized Citizen
Ahmed was born in Egypt and moved to the United States 🇺🇸 as a child. After living in the country for several years as a green card holder, he applies for citizenship using Form N-400. Once he passes the citizenship test and takes the Oath of Allegiance, he becomes a U.S. citizen. He can now vote, run for office, and sponsor his brother to immigrate to the United States 🇺🇸.

Example 3: U.S. Passport Holder
Lina, a non-citizen U.S. national from Swains Island, applies for a U.S. passport. Her passport allows her to travel freely, but it shows her status as a U.S. national, not a citizen. When she visits another country, she receives the same protection from the U.S. embassy as a citizen would.

Why Does the Distinction Matter?

Understanding whether someone is a U.S. national or a U.S. citizen is important for several reasons:

• Immigration Benefits: Only U.S. citizens can sponsor certain family members, like siblings, for immigration. U.S. nationals who are not citizens have fewer options for family reunification.
• Voting Rights: Only citizens can vote in federal elections. This affects political participation and representation.
• Employment: Many federal jobs require U.S. citizenship. Non-citizen nationals are not eligible for these positions.
• Travel: Both groups can travel with a U.S. passport, but the status shown on the passport may affect how foreign governments treat the traveler.
• Legal Protection: Both groups receive protection from the U.S. government, but only citizens have the full set of rights and responsibilities.

Practical Implications for Families and Individuals

For families with mixed status—where some members are citizens and others are non-citizen nationals—the difference can affect family reunification, access to benefits, and long-term planning. For example, a U.S. citizen can sponsor a wider range of relatives for green cards, while a non-citizen U.S. national cannot.

For individuals planning to work in government, vote, or run for office, citizenship is required. Non-citizen nationals who want these rights must go through the naturalization process to become citizens.

How to Become a U.S. Citizen if You Are a U.S. National

Non-citizen U.S. nationals, such as those born in American Samoa or Swains Island, can apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. The process is similar to that for green card holders, but there are some differences:

• No need for a green card: U.S. nationals do not need to become permanent residents first.
• Application: They can apply directly for citizenship using Form N-400.
• Requirements: They must meet certain requirements, such as living in the United States 🇺🇸 for a set period, showing good moral character, and passing a civics and English test.

For more information on the naturalization process, visit the USCIS official naturalization page.

Comparing U.S. Nationals and U.S. Citizens: A Quick Reference

Recent Developments and Policy

As of July 8, 2025, there have been no major changes to the rules about U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens. The distinction remains important, especially for people from American Samoa and Swains Island, and for anyone dealing with U.S. immigration law. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, understanding these categories is key for making informed decisions about travel, family reunification, and legal rights.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

If you have questions about your status or want to apply for a U.S. passport, citizenship, or other benefits, it’s best to use official government resources. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website has detailed guides and forms. The U.S. Department of State provides information about passports and travel.

For legal advice or help with complicated cases, consider speaking with an immigration attorney or contacting USCIS directly through their contact page.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens are not the same, though all citizens are nationals.
• Non-citizen U.S. nationals are mostly people born in American Samoa or Swains Island.
• Citizens have more rights, including voting, holding federal jobs, and sponsoring more family members.
• Both groups can live, work, and travel with a U.S. passport, but only citizens have full legal rights.
• Non-citizen U.S. nationals can apply for citizenship through naturalization.

If you are unsure about your status or want to learn more about your rights, visit the USCIS website for up-to-date information and official forms. Always use government sources for the most accurate and current details.

By understanding the difference between a U.S. national and a U.S. citizen, you can make better choices for yourself and your family, whether you’re planning to travel, work, or bring loved ones to the United States 🇺🇸.

Learn Today

U.S. National → An individual who owes allegiance to the U.S. and is protected under its laws.
U.S. Citizen → A person with full legal membership and rights in the United States.
Naturalization → The process by which immigrants become U.S. citizens after meeting legal requirements.
American Samoa → A U.S. territory whose natives are non-citizen U.S. nationals at birth.
Form N-400 → The official application used to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

This Article in a Nutshell

Understanding U.S. nationals versus citizens clarifies distinct rights and responsibilities, affecting voting, employment, and immigration sponsorship eligibility within U.S. territories and states.
— By VisaVerge.com