There are plenty of reasons to apply to become a U.S. Citizen, not the least of which is enjoying a safe and prosperous life in the United States. Below are three lesser-known benefits of this immigration dream including travel and finances. Travel Benefits of Citizenship Becoming a U.S. citizen means being able to get a U.S. passport. That gives you access to travel abroad to more countries, in many cases without needing to pay expensive visa fees. As of 2012, U.S. citizens and nationals could travel to 166 countries visa-free or with a visa on arrival. This includes most countries in Europe and South America. Without a U.S. passport, visa fees can be $100’s and take months of red tape to acquire. As a U.S. citizen, you can also travel abroad without fear of losing your immigration status. While U.S. permanent residents typically cannot be abroad for more than 1 year at a time, U.S. citizens have no similar restriction.