U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed on 5 January 2026 that every Form N-400 filed on or after 20 October 2025 will be assessed under a revamped 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. The oral exam now requires applicants to answer up to 20 questions (up from 10) and correctly respond to at least 12. Officers may stop once an applicant reaches 12 correct—or nine wrong—answers.
USCIS says the change aligns with President Trump’s January 2025 executive order directing agencies to “raise citizenship standards” and ensure new Americans demonstrate robust knowledge of U.S. history and government. The item bank has grown to 128 questions, adding topics on federalism, constitutional amendments and recent civic developments. Training materials have been updated, but critics contend the heavier load will disproportionately affect older immigrants or those with limited English proficiency.
![USCIS Rolls Out Tougher Naturalization Civics Test for All New Citizenship Applicants]()
For corporate mobility programs, the stakes are high: many key employees seek naturalization for career flexibility, overseas assignments and security-clearance eligibility. HR and global-mobility teams should circulate the new study guide, schedule mock interviews and budget extra preparation time for staff and their dependents moving from green card to citizenship status.
Importantly, applicants aged 65+ with 20 years of lawful permanent residence may still take a simplified 10-question version, while disability and language accommodations remain unchanged. Employers sponsoring large cohorts through the citizenship process should verify which employees qualify for exemptions.
USCIS has not announced any fee increases tied to the new test, but practitioners expect longer interview slots that could enlarge processing backlogs. Companies should factor potential delays into workforce-planning calendars, particularly for employees awaiting naturalization before commencing overseas rotations.
USCIS says the change aligns with President Trump’s January 2025 executive order directing agencies to “raise citizenship standards” and ensure new Americans demonstrate robust knowledge of U.S. history and government. The item bank has grown to 128 questions, adding topics on federalism, constitutional amendments and recent civic developments. Training materials have been updated, but critics contend the heavier load will disproportionately affect older immigrants or those with limited English proficiency.
For corporate mobility programs, the stakes are high: many key employees seek naturalization for career flexibility, overseas assignments and security-clearance eligibility. HR and global-mobility teams should circulate the new study guide, schedule mock interviews and budget extra preparation time for staff and their dependents moving from green card to citizenship status.
Importantly, applicants aged 65+ with 20 years of lawful permanent residence may still take a simplified 10-question version, while disability and language accommodations remain unchanged. Employers sponsoring large cohorts through the citizenship process should verify which employees qualify for exemptions.
USCIS has not announced any fee increases tied to the new test, but practitioners expect longer interview slots that could enlarge processing backlogs. Companies should factor potential delays into workforce-planning calendars, particularly for employees awaiting naturalization before commencing overseas rotations.
Source: The Financial Express
