Article Summary

USCIS has announced the implementation of a new 2025 Naturalization Civics Test, reverting to the 2020 test format with updates. This revised test will apply to naturalization applications filed on or after October 20, 2025, expanding the question pool and requiring 12 correct answers out of 20. The change aligns with a recent executive order and marks a policy reversal from the Biden administration's prior return to the 2008 test.

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For skilled professionals and their employers, this policy change means that the path to U.S. citizenship, often the culmination of years of visa navigation, will become more rigorous for those filing applications on or after October 20, 2025. The shift from the 2008 test to a more expansive 2025 version, which doubles the interview questions and increases the passing threshold, requires future applicants to significantly enhance their civic knowledge preparation.

This marks a notable reversal from the Biden administration's policy, which had reverted to the simpler 2008 test after the brief implementation of the 2020 version, highlighting how naturalization standards can fluctuate with changing administrations. While the English language component remains unchanged, the increased difficulty of the civics test underscores the evolving expectations for civic integration for new citizens.