3 Ways Green Card Holders Can Skip the Citizenship Test to Become US Citizens

• The US government offers special pathways that allow certain permanent residents to bypass the standard English citizenship test
• Long-term green card holders aged 50 and older may qualify to take their civics interview in their native language instead
• Immigrants with serious medical conditions can apply for a full waiver of both the language and civics requirements

For millions of immigrants living in the United States, obtaining citizenship is a deeply personal goal. But for older residents or those managing serious health conditions, the prospect of sitting an English language test can feel like a barrier.

The US government has put measures in place to make sure that barrier does not stop deserving people from reaching that milestone.

The 50/20 and 55/15 Rules

Two age-based exemptions exist for long-term green card holders. The first applies to anyone who is at least 50 years old and has held permanent residency for 20 or more years. Under this provision, the English test is waived entirely. The applicant still completes the civics portion of the citizenship process, which covers US history and government, but they are permitted to answer those questions in their home language with an interpreter present.

Read also

Experts advise job seekers to verify recruiters amid surge in fraudulent listings

A second rule covers those who are 55 or older with at least 15 years of permanent residency. These applicants enjoy the same arrangement: no English exam, and a civics interview conducted in their preferred language. For those aged 65 and above who have held a green card for 20 years, the civics section becomes even more manageable, with a shorter and simplified set of study questions used during the interview.

Medical waivers for those facing health challenges

Beyond age-related exceptions, US immigration law also provides a path for individuals whose physical, developmental, or mental health conditions prevent them from meeting either the language or civics requirements.

To qualify, a licensed medical doctor or psychologist must complete Form N-648, an official certification that explains in detail how the applicant's condition affects their ability to learn or demonstrate English and civics knowledge. Once approved, the individual receives a complete exemption from both requirements.

Read also

Study proposes halving global population to 4 billion by 2200

These provisions reflect a broader recognition that the road to citizenship should account for the realities people face. Long-term community members who have spent decades contributing to American life, as well as vulnerable individuals navigating serious illness, now have a clear and compassionate route to formalising their place in the country they call home.

More on immigration

• Briefly News recently reported on a South African woman who shared exactly how she managed to join the American military as a green card holder.
• Hundreds of international graduates protested in Calgary after Canada rejected their post-graduation work permits, with some resorting to a hunger strike.
• Meanwhile, a South African's DNA test results sparked a wider conversation about heritage after revealing a surprising mix of ancestry.

Source: Briefly News