After moving to Colorado from The Gambia in early 2025, I’ve been staying here on a Diversity Visa (DV) green card that I won through the 2024 lottery. I’ve settled in well and recently started working part-time while attending community college. Now, a friend mentioned that I could apply for U.S. citizenship in a few years, but I’m unclear on how long I have to wait and what the requirements actually are. I want to make sure I’m doing everything correctly from the start so that when I’m eligible, I don’t run into delays. What should I know about becoming a citizen after receiving a green card through the DV lottery?

As a Diversity Visa green card holder, you’re eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after 5 years of continuous residence, as long as you’ve met all requirements including physical presence and good moral character.

Make sure you don’t stay outside the U.S. for long periods, any trip over 6 months could break your continuous residence and delay your eligibility for naturalization. Short international visits are fine if you maintain your U.S. ties.

Start preparing early by keeping tax records, renewing your green card on time, and avoiding any criminal or immigration violations. When the time comes, you’ll file Form N-400 and attend an interview and civics test.