Becoming a citizen is a long process. People need to live in the United States for years. They have to limit their international travel, even if they do business or have family members living abroad. They have to pass background checks.
They also have to complete the naturalization process. Naturalization begins with an application and a fee paid by the immigrant. They must pass a background check. If they potentially qualify to become a naturalized citizen, they must then attend a naturalization interview.
During that interview, a worker employed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers a test in English and a second test in United States Civics. What happens if the immigrant doesn’t pass those tests?
Retaking the test is possible
Any immigrant who fails the naturalization tests has the opportunity to retake the test they failed. Under current USCIS practices, immigrants seeking naturalized citizenship have the option of retaking a failed test one time.
If they pass the second time, then they can move forward with naturalization. If they fail a second time, then they cannot retake the test. They have to reapply for naturalization to have another opportunity to pass the test. No rules are limiting the number of times that immigrants can apply for naturalization or undergo testing. However, they have to pay every time they reapply.
Answering common questions about immigration, including inquiries about naturalization, can help people plan for the future. Naturalization is a complex process that offers major benefits if an immigrant completes it successfully. Immigrants worried about testing may need help preparing and responding appropriately if they fail their tests.