Federal government considers expanding citizenship requirements and reviews tests

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is moving forward in 2025 with expansions and tougher checks tied to U.S. citizenship, signaling a stricter era for naturalization applicants. Agency leaders say they want to protect the value of the passport and ensure new citizens show strong ties to the United States 🇺🇸. That means closer review of a person’s background, more detailed financial records, and a harder naturalization test.

A new Department of Homeland Security rule that took effect in April 2025 also adds fresh registration steps for non-citizen children as they turn 14. While the Biden administration has worked to cut backlogs, these changes show a push to enforce long-standing rules more closely and raise the bar on civics knowledge and English skills. For many families, the path is still open, but it may take more time, more paperwork, and more study than before.

Key Changes and Overall Impact

USCIS has not changed the core eligibility timeline for most green card holders. The basic time-in-status rules remain the same: applicants usually must have held a green card for 5 years, or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen, before filing. However, USCIS will examine each case with tighter checks—especially on travel history, tax compliance, and past immigration or criminal issues.

Applicants must use an updated Form N-400 in 2025 and should expect longer wait times because officers are spending more time on each file. Planned test changes—expanding the civics pool and strengthening English review—have not fully launched, but the agency has signaled a harder test is coming soon under new leadership.

Advocacy groups warn that low-income and older applicants could face new hurdles. USCIS counters that it must ensure every new citizen is ready to take on civic duties and can participate fully in daily American life.

Stricter Case Reviews: What USCIS Is Focusing On

• Residence history
  • Continuous residence and physical presence checks are being tightened. Officers will closely review trips abroad over the last five years.
  • Lengthy or repeated absences can trigger concerns about whether the applicant truly lived in the U.S.
  • Proof that the applicant maintained a U.S. home and intended to return after trips may be requested.
• Good moral character (GMC)
  • GMC covers criminal records, honesty with the government, and tax compliance.
  • In 2025, USCIS is running tighter background checks, including public records and social media reviews.
  • Past arrests, open court cases, or unpaid penalties will likely prompt questions and document requests.
• Tax compliance
  • USCIS now requests a 5-year tax filing history—up from three—across the entire eligibility period.
  • Filings can be cross-checked with the IRS. Proof of filings and any IRS payment plans should be provided if applicable.
• Self-employment and finances
  • Self-employed applicants should prepare Schedule C, annual profit and loss statements, and other documents showing steady work and income.
  • USCIS is pressing for proof of financial self-sufficiency (bank statements, employment letters, business records).
• Processing times
  • Expect longer processing times due to both backlogs and more detailed reviews.
  • Small omissions (e.g., a missing page from a tax return) can cause delays; Requests for Evidence (RFEs) slow cases further.

Required Forms and Official Resources

• Applicants must use the updated Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization): https://www.uscis.gov/n-400
• For official citizenship information and study resources: USCIS Citizenship Resource Center: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship
• To report address changes: Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address Card): https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11

Important: Always download and file the current edition of the forms from USCIS.

Naturalization Test Changes and the New Registration Rule

• Test redesign history:
  • USCIS planned a redesign to lower barriers but pulled the trial in late 2024 after public backlash.
  • As of August 2025, under Director Joseph Edllo, USCIS is preparing to make the test tougher and more comprehensive.
• Proposed civics exam changes:
  • Move from answering 10 questions out of 100 to 20 questions from a pool of 120.
  • Passing score remains 60%, but the larger pool means applicants must study more topics.
• English portion changes:
  • Shift from short, memorized answers to assessing real-life speaking, reading, and writing.
  • Interviews may include more natural conversation, clearer reading passages, and longer writing tasks.
  • Officers will still be trained to help applicants feel at ease, but assessments will be stricter.
• Registration rule for minors (effective April 11, 2025):
  • Non-citizen children must register and appear for fingerprinting within 30 days of turning 14.
  • All non-citizens aged 14 and older must be registered with USCIS and carry proof of registration.
  • If a registered person moves, they must notify USCIS of the new address within 10 days.
  • This rule strengthens identity records and may affect families with teenagers who hold green cards or other lawful status.

Practical Steps Applicants Should Take

For many applicants, the most important practical steps are simple but time-consuming:

1. Keep complete travel records for the last five years.
2. Gather five years of tax returns, W-2s/1099s, and proof of any IRS payment plans.
3. If self-employed, prepare Schedule C and yearly profit and loss statements.
4. Check all names and dates across passports, green cards, and tax forms for consistency.
5. Use the current Form N-400 and follow each instruction closely.

Additional suggestions:
– File as soon as you meet the 5-year or 3-year rule if your records are clean.
– Fix tax gaps and bring proof before filing if you have tax issues.
– Invest time in English classes and daily practice if language skills are weak.
– Keep documents organized in labeled folders for the interview.

How Different Applicants May Be Affected

The expansions and test changes will not affect everyone equally:

• Frequent travelers
  • May face questions about continuous residence.
  • Helpful documents: travel log, flight records, lease or mortgage statements.
• Self-employed workers
  • Expect detailed questions about income variability.
  • Helpful documents: Schedule C, profit and loss statements, bank statements.
• People with tax gaps or payment plans
  • Bring proof of five years of tax filings and IRS payment plan letters.
• Age and English ability
  • Younger applicants in English-speaking jobs or schools may adapt faster.
  • Older applicants or those with limited formal education may need extra study and community support.
  • Waivers exist for some based on age/long-term residence, but most applicants must still test.

Community organizations, adult schools, libraries, and employers are likely to see increased demand for classes, mock interviews, and flexible scheduling to help applicants prepare.

Practical Family and Community Tips

• Build a document folder with passports, green cards, tax forms, W-2s/1099s, and travel logs.
• Keep proof of address (leases, utility bills, mortgage statements) for the last five years.
• Track every trip outside the U.S. with dates and destinations.
• Enroll early in English and civics classes and practice speaking in everyday settings.
• Use and double-check the current forms, signatures, dates, and answers before filing.
• Mark birthdays and set reminders for a child’s 14th birthday to meet the 30-day fingerprinting requirement.

Implementation Timeline and What to Expect

• Effective now:
  • April 11, 2025 — DHS rule on minor registration and fingerprinting is in force.
  • USCIS field offices are increasing review intensity on background checks, 5-year tax history, and financial records.
  • Updated Form N-400 is required in 2025—always confirm you have the latest edition.
• Expected soon (no firm public start date given):
  • Test changes: 20 civics questions from a 120-question pool and a stronger English review.
  • These may roll out step-by-step with updated study guides and officer training.

Practical next steps:
– Read official USCIS guidance at https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship and check for test updates before scheduling interviews or finalizing study plans.
– File the correct form versions: Form N-400 at https://www.uscis.gov/n-400; report address changes with Form AR-11 at https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11 within 10 days of moving.
– Prepare for longer processing times by applying early once eligible and keeping records complete.

Final Takeaways

• USCIS leaders say tougher checks and a stronger test protect the meaning of the passport.
• Community groups stress the need for fair access so hardworking residents can become full members of the civic family.
• Both aims can coexist: the 2025 landscape favors applicants who plan ahead, keep thorough records, and study consistently.
• With preparation—organized documents, up-to-date tax records, and strong English and civics study—many applicants will still succeed, even as requirements become more strictly enforced.