Do You Have To Learn English To Become A Us Citizen

Is Speaking English language a Requirement for U.S. Citizenship?

Posted by Frank Gogol

Updated on Feb 9, 2022

If y'all are from a country where speaking English is not a requirement, you lot may non have had the most stellar English when y'all came into the U.S. Granted, maybe you lot knew a thing or two – but not enough to exist fluent. Still, do you have to be fluent, or tin yous just go your citizenship without speaking English?

Do I Demand to Speak English language to Get U.Due south. Citizenship?

Because that you are planning to adhere to this country and go a citizen hither, it'south a basic expectation that y'all learn the English language. After all, you tin can't expect to get your citizenship and phone call yourself American, and not be able to say more than 2-iii words in English. Granted, there are some exceptions – but these may change from circumstance to circumstance.

What Is the English Test for U.South. Citizenship?

The English test for U.S. citizenship is the one you will take to accept afterwards you have submitted your naturalization paperwork. This test will happen during your in-person interview, and it will evidence the interviewer but how well you tin can read, speak, write, and understand the English language.

The examiner taking your interview will talk to you in the English language, paying shut attention to how you answer the questions they have asked yous – including the ones concerning your application. These questions may utilise to interviews for your EAD, which is why it won't hurt to learn the language.

Bated from the questions that you will receive during your interview, the officer will as well present you with a few questions that you lot will be required to read out loud. Some sentences will as well exist read out to you lot, and you lot volition exist required to write them down equally you hear them.

The purpose of this test is not to bear witness that you are perfectly fluent in English language. You don't need to have perfect English. Even so, yous must have a decent-plenty knowledge to function as a citizen.

The English language test for U.S. citizenship may be retaken a 2nd time in the event that yous practise non pass it the starting time time. You will exist rescheduled inside 90 days of the first interview, during which y'all will take more fourth dimension to study for the test.

The USCIS website has a lot of resources that you may employ, but at the same time, you may also seek advice from your immigration chaser. They have likely seen many people in your circumstance, and will probably be able to offer some advice on what you tin do. This tin assist make the second circular of the interview go smoother.

Exceptions to the English Exam Requirement

In some cases, you might be exempt from taking the English language exam, generally through 50/xx and 55/15, as they are normally referred to. If yous are a green card holder and have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least twenty years, and are over fifty years of age, you volition exist exempt from taking the text – mostly because it is expected that by that indicate, you will have learned English to a decent level.

The same thing applies to 55/15 waivers. If you are over 55 years of age and have lived for at least 15 years in the U.s., then you may not have to have the test. These years don't necessarily have to exist consecutive. At the same time, it's best if the absences are as minimal or brief as possible. For example, if you accept the average leisure holiday overseas just return shortly, and then you lot won't exist affected. Nevertheless, if you often take a couple of months off to stay in your home land, then you might exist required to take the exam.

Your mental or physical health tin can also exempt you from taking the test. If you take a certain disability that prevents you from learning the English linguistic communication, a doctor will exist signing the N-640 form on your behalf, where they explain your disability.

Carry in mind that the rules for a inability-based waiver are rather strict. Should these rules utilize to you, you may want to work with a good immigration attorney to ensure that everything goes flawlessly.

Other Requirements to Become a U.Due south. Denizen

You know that y'all need to be proficient in basic English, but what are another requirements in condign a U.Southward. denizen? Are there any other demands that yous demand to worry about?

Well, learning basic English is just one of our concerns. Unless you apply based on your military machine services or you are eligible for some sort of exemption, you besides need to come across these requirements.

You need to be at the minimum required historic period (in most cases, that historic period is 18 years one-time). The exception may be if you are applying during wartime – in which case you lot may be of any age.
You must have been a green card holder that has physically and continuously lived in the United States for at least a couple of years. This continuous presence does not hateful that you tin can't travel outside the United States. Information technology simply ways that you can't leave the United states for more than six months at a time during your minimum showtime 3-5 years of residency.
Y'all must found a place of residency in the state or district where you wish to use for your citizenship. If yous need to leave the United States for more than than half-dozen months a year, you need to evidence that you have the intention of coming back to the U.S. A identify of residence in your name might testify this intention.
You need to be considered as having a "good moral character," with a criminal history as clear as possible.
Yous need to show that y'all accept skillful noesis of U.S. history along with the government.
If you are a male that has reached a sure historic period, you have to sign up for military service and show that you are willing to serve in the result that your performance is required.
You demand to swear your allegiance to the U.s..

Depending on instance to example, you might have to show further proof and documentation to receive your citizenship. In some cases, yous may be exempt from some of these rules, whereas in other cases you might take to provide further documentation.

This is why yous might want to speak with a good immigration attorney if in that location are any hiccups to your application. They should be able to guide you into acceptance. If your green card application procedure goes smoothly, you should eventually take your greenish card mailed to you.

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Final Thoughts

Then, is speaking English a requirement for Us citizenship? Equally y'all may take realized, yes, you have to know at least some basic English. Afterwards all, you are planning to join their community. You lot tin can't expect to exist considered American (as your citizenship will say) if you lot can't fifty-fifty speak the linguistic communication. Granted, you don't demand to be an proficient in the language like a built-in-there citizen would – just you demand to know just enough to exist able to role there.

Frank Gogol

I'k a firm believer that data is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the circuitous topics — like finance, clearing, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

Stilt, Inc strives to keep this blog data accurate and upwards to engagement. All information is presented without warranty. Discrepancies may be institute. This blog does not consist of legal advice.

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