USCIS Revises Guidance on Naturalization Civics Educational Requirement

USCIS updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the educational requirements for naturalization. The update, effective 3/1/21, provides that USCIS will revert to administering the 2008 civics test to applicants who filed for naturalization before 12/1/20, or who will file on or after 3/1/21. There will be a brief period during which USCIS may offer both the 2020 civics test and the 2008 civics test to accommodate certain naturalization applicants who filed on or after 12/1/20, and before 3/1/21, and are scheduled for an interview before 4/19/21. Comments are due March 22, 2021.

Policy Highlights

• Provides that USCIS will administer the 2008 civics test to applicants who filed for naturalization before December 1, 2020, or who will file on or after March 1, 2021.
• Provides that USCIS will give applicants the choice to either take the 2008 civics test or the 2020 civics test in cases where applicants filed their naturalization application on or after December 1, 2020 and before March 1, 2021, and where the initial examination (interview) is scheduled to occur before April 19, 2021.
• Provides that USCIS will administer the 2008 civics test to all applicants whose initial examination (interview) is scheduled to occur on or after April 19, 2021 (regardless of filing date).
• Provides that USCIS will only ask civics test questions until the applicant passes or fails either the 2008 civics test or the 2020 civics test.

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Cite as AILA Doc. No. 21022232.

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