Is Melania Trump a US Citizen?
Yes, Melania Trump is a U.S. citizen. She officially became a naturalized American citizen on July 28, 2006.
From Slovenia to the United States
Born as Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia), Melania began her modeling career in Europe before moving to the U.S. in the mid-1990s. She entered on a visitor visa, later upgraded to a work visa (H-1B) used by fashion models.
When Did Melania Trump Become a US Citizen?
Melania Trump became a naturalized U.S. citizen on July 28, 2006, after holding a green card for several years. She obtained her green card in 2001 under the EB-1 “Einstein Visa”, which is typically reserved for individuals with “extraordinary ability.”
✅ Green Card Received: March 2001
✅ Citizenship Approved: July 28, 2006
✅ Marriage to Donald Trump: January 22, 2005
It’s important to note: she applied for citizenship independently of her marriage to Donald Trump, though they were engaged and later married during that process.
What Type of Visa Did Melania Use?
Melania’s green card was granted through the EB-1 program, a fast-track immigration category intended for individuals who have shown “extraordinary ability” in fields such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics.
This has generated public discussion, as EB-1 visas are not commonly granted to fashion models unless they have significant global recognition, which Melania had achieved through major magazine covers and international work.
FAQs
Q: Is Melania Trump a natural-born U.S. citizen?
No. She was born in Slovenia and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006.
Q: When did Melania Trump become a U.S. citizen?
She became a U.S. citizen on July 28, 2006.
Q: Was Melania Trump’s citizenship connected to Donald Trump?
Melania’s immigration process was independent, and she held a green card before marrying Donald Trump.
Q: What is the EB-1 visa?
It’s a special immigration program for individuals with “extraordinary ability” in their profession — often referred to as the “Einstein visa.”
Conclusion
Melania Trump is a naturalized American citizen who legally immigrated from Slovenia, secured a green card based on her modeling success, and officially became a U.S. citizen in 2006. Her journey reflects a high-profile but legal path to citizenship under U.S. immigration law.