Becoming a citizen is often the culmination of years of hard work. Immigrants have to apply for visas or green cards to legally enter the country. They have to restrict their travel and avoid criminal activity to be eligible for naturalization. They have to submit an application and pay a fee to naturalize.
The process of becoming a naturalized citizen involves an interview. During the interview, the immigrant must typically pass two tests administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). People need to prove that they have baseline knowledge about United States government and history by passing a civics test. People applying for citizenship also have to establish their proficiency with the English language. They must show that they can read and write in English and demonstrate an ability to communicate via spoken English.
Those hoping to naturalize or help their loved ones naturalize may worry about the English language test. English is a notoriously difficult language to master. Can people become citizens without passing an English language test?
Some immigrants can bypass English testing requirements
The USCIS has different rules for immigrants in unique circumstances. Individuals who have remained in the United States for years can sometimes qualify for citizenship without mastering the English language first. Older adults are sometimes eligible for exemptions.
If someone who is at least 50 years old has lived in the United States for 20 years or longer, they may qualify for an exemption. Those who are at least 55 can qualify for an exemption after 15 years of lawful permanent residency.
Older adults who qualify for exemptions do not need to take the English language test. They also have the option of taking the civics test in the language of their choosing.
There are also accommodations available for individuals with disabling medical conditions. Individuals with medical challenges can request certain types of support to make testing more accessible. For those who do not meet the age or residency requirements, there are still resources available to help them. The USCIS provides vocabulary study guides and a list of all possible civics questions.
Learning more about the rules for naturalization can help people achieve their immigration goals or support family members who want to become citizens. Learning English is beneficial but is not always mandatory for those who want to become citizens.