Noncitizen National vs. US Citizen

Attribute	Noncitizen National	US Citizen
Legal Status	Noncitizen nationals are individuals who owe permanent allegiance to the United States but are not citizens.	US citizens are individuals who have been granted citizenship through birth, naturalization, or other means.
Right to Vote	Noncitizen nationals do not have the right to vote in federal elections.	US citizens have the right to vote in federal elections.
Passport	Noncitizen nationals can apply for a US passport, but it will be labeled as "Noncitizen National".	US citizens can apply for a US passport without any special labeling.
Eligibility for Federal Jobs	Noncitizen nationals may be eligible for certain federal jobs, but not all.	US citizens are generally eligible for all federal jobs.

Legal Status

Noncitizen nationals are individuals who owe permanent allegiance to the United States but are not citizens. They are granted this status through birth or naturalization in American Samoa or Swains Island. Noncitizen nationals have the right to live and work in the United States without needing a visa or green card. On the other hand, US citizens are individuals who are born in the United States or go through the naturalization process. They have the right to vote, run for public office, and hold a US passport.

Residency Requirements

Noncitizen nationals do not have residency requirements to maintain their status. They can live anywhere in the United States without fear of losing their noncitizen national status. US citizens, on the other hand, must meet residency requirements to maintain their citizenship. They must reside in the United States for a certain period of time to avoid losing their citizenship status.

Travel Restrictions

Noncitizen nationals have the right to travel freely within the United States and its territories. They can also travel to other countries with a US passport. However, they may face restrictions when traveling to certain countries that do not recognize noncitizen national status. US citizens, on the other hand, have the right to travel to almost any country in the world without needing a visa. They can also receive consular protection from US embassies and consulates while abroad.

Employment Opportunities

Noncitizen nationals have the right to work in the United States without needing a work visa. They can apply for jobs and start businesses just like US citizens. However, they may face challenges when applying for certain government jobs or security clearances that require US citizenship. US citizens have the right to work in any job in the United States without restrictions. They can also work for the federal government and hold positions that require security clearances.

Benefits and Services

Noncitizen nationals are eligible for some federal benefits and services, such as Social Security and Medicare. However, they may not be eligible for certain benefits that are reserved for US citizens, such as federal student aid and certain housing programs. US citizens have access to a wide range of federal benefits and services, including federal student aid, Medicaid, and food assistance programs.

Legal Rights

Noncitizen nationals have some legal rights in the United States, such as the right to due process and equal protection under the law. However, they may not have the right to vote in federal elections or serve on juries. US citizens have the right to vote in all federal, state, and local elections. They also have the right to serve on juries and run for public office.

Taxation

Noncitizen nationals are subject to US taxation on their worldwide income, just like US citizens. They must file tax returns and pay taxes to the US government. However, they may be eligible for certain tax benefits and credits that are available to US citizens. US citizens are also subject to US taxation on their worldwide income. They must file tax returns and pay taxes to the US government, but they may be eligible for additional tax benefits and credits.