- The US government has confirmed that certain non-English-speaking permanent residents are eligible for an English language exemption during the naturalisation process
- USCIS outlined two age-based exceptions that determine who qualifies for the exemption and under what residency conditions
- Applicants who qualify must still sit the civics test, but are permitted to do so in their native language under specific requirements
The United States government has confirmed that some foreign nationals applying for citizenship are not required to speak or understand English during the naturalisation process, provided they meet certain age and residency conditions.
The English language requirement for citizenship can be waived under two specific exceptions:
- The first applies to applicants who are at least 50 years old at the time of filing and have held a Green Card for a minimum of 20 years — commonly referred to as the 50/20 exception.
- The second covers those who are 55 or older at the time of filing and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for at least 15 years, known as the 55/15 exception.
Source: UGC
US citizenship: Civics test still required
Being exempt from the English language component does not mean applicants skip the civics examination entirely. USCIS makes clear that all applicants, regardless of language exemption status, are still required to complete the civics test. However, those who qualify under the exceptions above may take the test in their native language rather than in English.
To do so:
- Applicants must bring a qualified interpreter to their naturalisation interview.
- That interpreter must be fluent in both English and the applicant’s native language.
The responsibility for finding and bringing the interpreter rests with the applicant.
US citizenship: Consideration for older applicants
Applicants aged 65 and above who have maintained permanent resident status in the United States for at least 20 years receive an additional benefit. The USA government grants them special consideration regarding the civics requirement itself, which effectively means a reduced and more manageable version of the civics test applies to this group.
The provisions highlight a structured pathway within the US immigration system that accounts for the realities facing older long-term residents, many of whom may have built their lives in the country without fully acquiring English fluency.
For Nigerian and other African immigrants navigating the naturalisation process, understanding these exceptions could be particularly relevant, especially for those who arrived in the United States decades ago and are now approaching citizenship eligibility.
In a similar story, the US government outlined a strict rule for conditional permanent residents holding a two-year Green Card.
US: Relatives to get Green Card
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the US government has outlined specific eligibility conditions that immediate relatives of American citizens must meet to obtain a Green Card Only spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of US citizens aged 21 or older qualify under the immediate relative category.
Source: Legit.ng