Green card holders face new 2025 civics test for US citizenship

Green card holders applying for U.S. citizenship through naturalization will be required to take the updated 2025 civics test from USCIS.

Written by Sunil Dhawan

Green card holders or lawful permanent residents applying for American citizenship should prepare for the updated 2025 civics test, which assesses understanding of U.S. history, values, and government. (Reuters)

US is taking several measures to ensure foreigners are fully aligned with American values and meet all eligibility conditions before being granted US citizenship. One of those critical changes is the implementation of the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.

USCIS will administer the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test to foreigners who file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, on or after October 20, 2025.

The 2025 Naturalization Civics Test is an oral test consisting of 20 questions from the list of 128 civics test questions. You must answer 12 questions correctly to pass the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.

One will fail the test if they answer 9 of the 20 questions incorrectly. Officers will stop asking questions when the foreigners answer 12 questions correctly or 9 questions incorrectly.

Green card holders and other foreign nationals who apply to get US citizenship through the process of Naturalization will have to take the 2025 naturalization civics test.

Green card holders, also known as lawful permanent residents (LPRs), can obtain U.S. citizenship through a process called Naturalization. This process is available to foreign immigrants authorized to live permanently in the United States who meet the requirements set forth by Congress and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has posted a Federal Register notice announcing the implementation of the 2025 naturalization civics test for foreigners applying for US citizenship.

2025 Naturalization Civics Test

The 2025 test assesses a foreigner’s understanding of U.S. history and government in line with the statutory requirement and is one of many steps in an ongoing effort to restore integrity to the naturalization process and meet congressional intent.

Naturalization is a privilege that allows foreigners to become fully vested members of American society, with important rights and responsibilities that all citizens should exercise and respect.

The 2025 naturalization civics test will ensure that only foreigners meeting all eligibility requirements, including English proficiency and knowledge of U.S. government and civics, become citizens, thereby guaranteeing their full assimilation and potential contribution to America.

Naturalization Process Tougher Now

USCIS has already announced several changes, including restoring robust vetting for all foreigners and stricter reviews of disability exceptions to the English and civics requirements.

USCIS has also provided officers with guidance on assessing foreigners’ good moral character, looking for positive contributions to American society instead of a mere absence of bad behavior.

Lawful permanent residents or green card holders in the US will be subject to ‘neighbourhood investigations’ as part of the naturalization process for American citizenship. These investigations will require testimonial letters from individuals such as neighbours, employers, co-workers, and business associates.

Other recent policies include clarifying that unlawfully voting, registering to vote, and making false claims to U.S. citizenship disqualify foreigners from showing good moral character.

Green Card Holders at Risk

Green card holders who have naturalized and become US citizens are also at risk of losing their citizenship. The US government, particularly the Department of Justice, is prioritizing the revocation of citizenship for some Americans.

A Department of Justice memo authorizes Civil Division Employees to initiate civil proceedings to revoke U.S. citizenship from individuals who obtained it through illegal procurement, concealment of material facts, or willful misrepresentation. Even under-reporting income on a tax return could result in being declared a non-US citizen.

posted on: September 25, 2025