On September 17, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new 2025 Naturalization Civics Test as part of its overhaul of the American citizenship application process.  

Beginning October 20, 2025, applicants who file Form N-400 Application for Naturalization will take the updated test. The 2025 test requires applicants to correctly answer 12 out of 20 questions, drawn from a pool of 128 questions on U.S. history, government, and civics. Officers will stop once an applicant has either passed (12 correct answers) or failed (9 incorrect answers).  

Key changes include:  

• A larger pool of questions (128 vs. 100 in the prior version).  
• A 20-question oral test (previously 10 questions).  
• Renewed emphasis on assessing applicants’ understanding of U.S. values and government.  
  • Other recent changes in the naturalization process include the resumption of “neighborhood investigations” and stricter reviews of disability exceptions to the civics and English requirements. Officers are also to consider applicants’ positive contributions to society, not just the absence of misconduct, when evaluating good moral character. 

USCIS has stated that these updates are intended to strengthen the integrity of the naturalization process and ensure that new citizens are fully prepared to embrace the responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.  

If you are considering applying for U.S. citizenship, it is important to understand how these changes may affect your case. Applicants who file the Form N-400 before October 20, 2025 will continue to take the 2008 version of the civics test. Those filing on or after this date will face the updated requirements. For study materials and official updates, visit the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center. 

Foster continues to follow developments impacting immigration benefits and will provide additional information as it becomes available via future Immigration Updates© and on our firm’s website at www.fosterglobal.com.