Becoming a United States citizen is an exciting journey. However, many people feel nervous about the naturalization test. Usually, applicants need to study a long list of questions about American history and government.
Fortunately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a special rule to help older adults. It is called the 65/20 Special Consideration. If you are over 65 years old and have lived in the United States as a permanent resident for 20 years or more, this rule is for you! It makes the testing process much simpler.
Before you start preparing, here are three important things you should know about this special exception:
1. You Only Need to Study 20 Questions
Normally, applicants have to study all 128 civics questions. But if you qualify for the 65/20 rule, you do not need to study everything. You only need to focus on 20 specific questions. On the official USCIS documents, these questions are very easy to find because they are marked with an asterisk (*). This saves you a lot of time and energy.
2. You Can Use Your Own Language
Many applicants worry about the interview because they are still learning English. The great news is that you do not have to take the test in English. You can choose the language you feel most comfortable with. You can bring an interpreter to the interview to translate the questions and answers for you.
3. The Test is Short and Simple
During your interview, the USCIS officer will not ask you all 20 questions. The officer will only ask you 10 questions from your special list. To pass, you just need to get 6 answers right. As soon as you give 6 correct answers, you pass the civics part of the test!
Conclusion
The 65/20 rule is a wonderful opportunity for long-term residents. It removes a lot of stress from the application process and helps seniors achieve their dream of citizenship. If you or a family member qualify for this rule, you can feel confident as you begin your studies.
We wish you the absolute best as you prepare to become a US citizen!
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