Can a U.S. citizen’s minor child apply for citizenship right away?

There is a process that allows a U.S. citizen’s child, if under 18, to apply for citizenship right away. However, this isn’t automatic simply because a parent is a citizen — the child must meet the 5-year U.S. residency requirement. This 5-year residency requirement isn’t satisfied simply by physical presence in the U.S. or through travel; it also generally requires evidence of actual work history, so if you have the documentation to support that, this path is available.