US National vs US Citizen: What’s the Difference?

Written by the Ellis Porter content team. This article has not been reviewed by an attorney. It is general information, not legal advice.

In plain English: All US citizens are US nationals, but not all US nationals are citizens. A non-citizen national is a narrow status that today mainly applies to people from American Samoa and Swains Island. Non-citizen nationals owe allegiance to the US and can live and work anywhere in the US and hold a US passport, but they cannot vote in federal elections or hold certain offices the way citizens can. Most people asking about this are really green card holders wondering about citizenship, which is a different question. Non-citizen nationals can pursue naturalization to become full citizens.

Two words that sound alike but are not the same

If you have run into the terms "national" and "citizen" and cannot tell them apart, you are in good company. It is one of the most confusing corners of immigration status. The good news is that the answer is simpler than it looks.

Here is the key relationship. All US citizens are US nationals, but not all US nationals are US citizens. A small group are non-citizen nationals, people who owe allegiance to the US but are not citizens.

Non-citizen national status today mainly applies to people from American Samoa and Swains Island, which are US outlying possessions. For most people asking "national vs citizen," the real question is about green card holders and citizenship. That is a different topic, covered under naturalization.

Who counts as a non-citizen national

A non-citizen national is a person who owes permanent allegiance to the United States but does not have citizenship. Under current law, the status primarily covers people born in an outlying possession of the US, namely American Samoa and Swains Island. They are US nationals but not US citizens. It is a category distinct from both citizens and immigrants.

The differences that matter

Non-citizen nationals owe allegiance to the US, and they can live and work anywhere in the US and hold a US passport. In those respects, they look a lot like citizens. What they cannot do is vote in federal elections or hold certain offices that citizens can hold. A non-citizen US national generally cannot vote in federal elections, and that right is reserved for US citizens. Non-citizen US nationals can hold a US passport and generally enter and live in the US freely, similar to citizens, because they are not foreign nationals. Put simply, citizens have full rights including voting in federal elections, while non-citizen nationals can live, work, and hold a passport but cannot vote.

Where green card holders fit

Most people who land on this question are actually holding a green card, so let us clear that up. A green card holder sits outside both boxes. A lawful permanent resident is neither a US citizen nor a non-citizen national, just a non-citizen with permission to live and work permanently in the US. If you have a green card and are asking about "national vs citizen," what you likely want is the path to citizenship.

Nationals can become citizens

Non-citizen nationals can pursue naturalization to become full US citizens. A non-citizen US national can pursue US citizenship through naturalization, and there are provisions for nationals that can involve establishing residence in a state. The process leads to full citizenship with all its rights. Because the rules for nationals have specific features, anyone in this situation should confirm the current requirements.

This is a narrow status. If your question is really about residents, visa holders, or citizenship, those are the topics to focus on. A licensed Ellis Porter attorney can point you to the right analysis for your actual situation.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Status questions depend on your specific facts. Consult a licensed immigration attorney.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a US national and a US citizen?

All US citizens are US nationals, but a small group are non-citizen nationals, people who owe allegiance to the US but are not citizens. Today this mainly means people born in American Samoa and Swains Island. Citizens have full rights including voting in federal elections; non-citizen nationals can live, work, and hold a US passport but cannot vote in federal elections or hold certain offices.

What is a non-citizen US national?

A non-citizen national is a person who owes permanent allegiance to the United States but does not have citizenship. Under current law this status primarily applies to people born in an outlying possession of the US, namely American Samoa and Swains Island. They are US nationals but not US citizens, a narrow category distinct from both citizens and immigrants.

Can a US national vote?

A non-citizen US national generally cannot vote in federal elections; that right is reserved for US citizens. This is one of the main practical differences between a non-citizen national and a citizen. Non-citizen nationals do have other benefits, such as the ability to live and work anywhere in the US and to hold a US passport, but full political rights come with citizenship.

Can a US national become a US citizen?

Yes. A non-citizen US national can pursue US citizenship through naturalization, and there are provisions that address naturalization for nationals, which can involve establishing residence in a state. The process leads to full citizenship with all its rights. Anyone in this situation should confirm the current requirements, since the rules for nationals have specific features.

Is a green card holder a US national?

No. A lawful permanent resident (green card holder) is neither a US citizen nor a non-citizen US national; they are a non-citizen who has permission to live and work permanently in the US. Many people who search for national vs citizen are actually green card holders asking about citizenship, which is a separate topic covered by naturalization.

Do US nationals need a visa to enter the US?

Non-citizen US nationals can hold a US passport and generally enter and live in the US freely, similar to citizens in that respect, because they owe allegiance to the US and are not foreign nationals. This is different from immigrants and visa holders. The status is narrow, so most travel and immigration questions people have are really about citizens, residents, or visa holders.