Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Saturday, 20 September 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services is implementing a new 2025 naturalisation civics test as part of a major overhaul of its American citizenship standards.
The agency, which released a Federal Register notice on 16 September, announced that the changes are intended to better assess an applicant’s understanding of US history and Government.
USCIS Spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said, American citizenship is the “most sacred” in the world and should be reserved for those who fully embrace the nation’s values and are “fully assimilated.”
The changes are aimed at ensuring applicants can demonstrate their ability to read, write, and speak English, as well as a strong grasp of US civics.
In addition to the new test, USCIS has already announced several other policy changes. The agency is restoring robust vetting for all applicants and tightening reviews for disability exceptions to English and civics requirements.
Furthermore, officers have received new guidance on assessing good moral character, now focusing on an applicant’s positive contributions to American society rather than just an absence of bad behaviour.
USCIS is also resuming neighbourhood investigations to ensure applicants meet all statutory requirements and are worthy of citizenship.
USCIS plans to announce more initiatives to enhance the integrity of the naturalisation process in the coming weeks and months.
