H1B Visa Lawyer Blog
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1. What is the Good Moral Character (GMC) standard for Naturalization?
As of August 15, 2025, USCIS is applying a rigorous, holistic, and comprehensive Good Moral Character (GMC) evaluation standard rather than just an absence of wrongdoing. This means that in addition to establishing that you have not done anything wrong, you will need to prove that you are a contributing member of society. USCIS is looking at the following factors: sustained community involvement and contributions in the U.S. (i.e., involvement in the Parent Teacher Association, involvement in social organizations, involvement in community service organizations, donations made to charitable organizations, etc.); family caregiving, responsibility, and ties in the U.S., (i.e., childcare responsibility and involvement, paying child support/alimony, existing family in the U.S., etc.); educational attainment (i.e., degree and transcripts, certifications, etc.); stable and lawful employment history and achievements (i.e., letter from employer, pay statements, 401k statement, etc.); length of lawful residence in the U.S.,; compliance with tax obligations and financial responsibility in the U.S. (i.e., submission of tax returns, proof of tax payment plans and compliance with those payments if applicable, credit report, etc.).