When an alien beneficiary cannot meet one of the higher priority exceptions to the
ANP (AECs 2, 7, 8 or 9) shown in RS 02610.013B, consider whether they can meet a citizenship exception. There are four exceptions
to the ANP based on the beneficiary’s country of citizenship. The four citizenship
exceptions and AECs are:
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•
AEC 3 – 10 years residence exception
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•
AEC 4 – 40 Quarters of Coverage (QC) exception
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•
AEC 5 – Meets Treaty exception
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•
AEC 6 – Meets Social Insurance exception
For a complete explanation of all exceptions to the ANP, see RS 02610.010.
For the additional requirements certain dependents and survivors must meet, see RS 02610.025.
NOTE: An alien residing in the U.S. Treasury restricted countries, currently Cuba and North
Korea, cannot meet any exception to the ANP for any month of such residence.
An alien is a resident if they are present in the restricted country for a significant
period of time and makes, or intends to make, a home there.
For information about Treasury restricted countries, see RS 02650.001.