25/11/2021
Naturalization Interview and Skill Test
All individuals applying to become naturalized US citizens must appear before the USCIS for a citizenship interview. These interviews are held at regional immigration offices, and applicants receive advance notice of the interview notifying them of the date, time and place.
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The purpose of the citizenship interview is to review the submitted N-400 application, update any changes (work, address, phone number, etc.), assess the applicant’s ability to read, write and speak English and test their knowledge of American civics. The interview also provides the officer an opportunity to decide whether the applicant is eligible for US citizenship – some approvals are granted right at the conclusion of the interview.
Over the course of the interview, the immigration officer will review the applicant’s submitted documents. The officer will ask questions as they look over the filed paperwork, partly to make sure it is accurate and partly to assess the applicant’s English proficiency. After the officer is satisfied, the interview will move into the formal testing stage.
In evaluating English skills, the applicant is expected to read, write and verbally recite a series of sentences provided by the interviewing officer. For those concerned about this portion of the interview, the USCIS has gone to great lengths to provide a plethora of no-charge study guides and videos. This free information can be accessed here.
In assessing the applicant’s knowledge of US civics, the applicant will typically be asked 10 questions, of which six must be answered correctly. As with English proficiency, the USCIS provides free study guides for the civics exam that can be accessed here.
If the applicant fails either the English or the civics tests, the USCIS will schedule a second interview to reassess their skills. Failing the test a second time, however, results in denial of the application.
Please note that some applicants will not
