What’s the Difference Between a U.S. National and a U.S. Citizen?

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The terms U.S. national and U.S. citizen are sometimes used interchangeably, but they represent distinct legal categories under United States law. While both groups share many similarities, particularly in terms of protections and rights under U.S. law, there are key differences between the two statuses. Understanding the differences between a U.S. national and a U.S. citizen is important, especially for people living in U.S. territories or those seeking a deeper knowledge of U.S. immigration and nationality laws.

In this article, we’ll explore the legal definitions, rights, and responsibilities associated with being a U.S. national versus a U.S. citizen. We’ll also explain the differences in political rights, such as voting and representation, and discuss how someone can transition from being a U.S. national to a U.S. citizen.

What Is a U.S. Citizen?

A U.S. citizen is an individual who either:

  1. Acquires citizenship by birth within the United States or its territories, or
  2. Becomes a naturalized citizen through the U.S. immigration process.

The vast majority of U.S. citizens are citizens by birth—meaning they were born in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Children born to U.S. citizens outside the country may also automatically acquire citizenship under certain circumstances.

People can also become U.S. citizens through naturalization, a process that allows foreign nationals to apply for citizenship after fulfilling specific residency, language, and civic requirements. Naturalized citizens hold the same rights and responsibilities as those who acquire citizenship by birth.

Rights and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens

U.S. citizens enjoy the full set of rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution, including:

  • The right to vote in federal, state, and local elections.
  • Full representation in Congress and access to federal benefits, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
  • The ability to run for public office (with the exception of the presidency, which is reserved for natural-born citizens).
  • The right to obtain a U.S. passport and travel freely in and out of the country.
  • Protection under U.S. laws and the right to receive consular support abroad.

Along with these rights, U.S. citizens are required to:

  • Pay federal and state taxes (including income tax, regardless of where they live).
  • Register for Selective Service (for males aged 18 to 25).
  • Serve on a jury when called upon.

In summary, U.S. citizens hold the full range of constitutional rights and duties, from participating in elections to enjoying the legal protections of citizenship.

What Is a U.S. National?

A U.S. national is someone who owes permanent allegiance to the United States but may not necessarily be a full citizen. All U.S. citizens are U.S. nationals, but not all U.S. nationals are U.S. citizens. The key distinction is that U.S. nationals may not have the same set of political rights as U.S. citizens, although they still benefit from U.S. protection and have many of the same legal rights.

The most common group of non-citizen U.S. nationals are individuals born in American Samoa and Swains Island. These territories of the United States have a unique relationship with the federal government, and their residents are considered U.S. nationals rather than full U.S. citizens by birth.

Rights of U.S. Nationals

U.S. nationals enjoy many rights similar to those of U.S. citizens, including:

  • The right to live and work in the United States without restrictions.
  • U.S. passport access, although their passport is marked with “U.S. National” instead of “U.S. Citizen.”
  • Protection under U.S. laws and access to most federal benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare (as long as they meet other eligibility requirements).
  • The ability to apply for U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process without needing to first obtain permanent resident status.

However, there are notable differences in the political rights and representation of U.S. nationals compared to U.S. citizens.

Limitations of U.S. Nationals

Despite having many rights similar to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals face some limitations, particularly in terms of political rights and representation:

  • No right to vote in federal elections: U.S. nationals do not have the right to vote in presidential or congressional elections, even if they reside in a U.S. state.
  • Limited access to full federal representation: Since U.S. nationals primarily reside in territories that are not fully represented in Congress, they lack the same political influence as U.S. citizens living in the 50 states.
  • Not eligible for certain federal jobs: Certain federal jobs, particularly those that require a security clearance or specific citizenship requirements, are not open to U.S. nationals.

While U.S. nationals are protected by U.S. law and can travel freely using U.S. passports, they do not enjoy the full political rights that U.S. citizens have.

Key Differences Between a U.S. National and a U.S. Citizen

Although both U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens owe allegiance to the United States, the differences in their legal status can impact their rights, particularly in terms of political participation. Here are the key differences:

1. Voting Rights

  • U.S. citizens: Have the right to vote in federal, state, and local elections, including the right to vote for the president and members of Congress.
  • U.S. nationals: Do not have the right to vote in federal elections, even if they live in a U.S. state. Their political participation is generally limited to voting in local or territorial elections in the places where they reside.

2. Representation in Congress

  • U.S. citizens: Are fully represented in the U.S. Congress, with voting representatives in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
  • U.S. nationals: Primarily live in U.S. territories like American Samoa, which are not fully represented in Congress. While these territories may send non-voting delegates to the House of Representatives, U.S. nationals do not have voting representatives.

3. Eligibility for Federal Jobs

  • U.S. citizens: Are eligible for all federal government jobs, including those that require U.S. citizenship and security clearances.
  • U.S. nationals: May be ineligible for certain federal jobs that require full U.S. citizenship. However, they are eligible for many other federal employment opportunities and may apply for jobs that do not have strict citizenship requirements.

4. Path to Citizenship

  • U.S. citizens: Automatically acquire full citizenship either by birth or naturalization.
  • U.S. nationals: Are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization without having to first obtain permanent residency (a green card), making their path to full citizenship somewhat easier than that of foreign nationals.

How Can a U.S. National Become a U.S. Citizen?

U.S. nationals have a relatively straightforward path to full U.S. citizenship. Unlike foreign nationals who must go through the green card process, U.S. nationals can apply for citizenship directly by filing a Form N-400, the application for naturalization. To qualify, they must meet several requirements, including:

  • Being at least 18 years old.
  • Having resided in the U.S. for a continuous period of time, typically five years.
  • Demonstrating a basic knowledge of English and U.S. civics.
  • Passing a background check and proving good moral character.

Once naturalized, U.S. nationals become full U.S. citizens, gaining all the political rights and privileges that come with citizenship, including the right to vote in federal elections and hold public office.

Special Case: Dual Status as U.S. Nationals and Citizens

It’s worth noting that all U.S. citizens are also considered U.S. nationals under the law. This means that someone who is a U.S. citizen—whether by birth or naturalization—is automatically a U.S. national as well. However, not all U.S. nationals are U.S. citizens. This distinction primarily applies to individuals from territories like American Samoa.


In summary, both U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens are individuals who owe allegiance to the United States and share many rights and protections under U.S. law. However, there are key differences between the two statuses, particularly in terms of voting rights, political representation, and eligibility for certain federal jobs.

U.S. citizens enjoy the full range of rights under the U.S. Constitution, including the right to vote in federal elections, hold public office, and participate fully in the U.S. political system. U.S. nationals, on the other hand, while protected by U.S. laws and eligible for many benefits, do not have the same political rights and must go through the naturalization process to become full U.S. citizens.

For individuals born in American Samoa or other territories, understanding these distinctions is essential, especially if they are considering applying for U.S. citizenship to gain full political rights.

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Anne Joseph

Anne Joseph is a thoughtful writer with a passion for connecting through words. She enjoys sharing stories and ideas that spark curiosity and inspire readers. When she's not writing, Anne loves exploring new hobbies, relaxing with a good book, or spending time with loved ones.