Who Can Get U.S. Citizenship Without the Exam and How

While most applicants for U.S. citizenship must pass written and oral tests covering history, geography, and civics, certain individuals may be eligible for a citizenship exam waiver due to age or health conditions. Attorney Ishrat Sami explained the details on an analysis program.

According to Sami, seniors aged 65 or older with health conditions—physical or mental—can apply for a waiver if they provide a doctor’s report. These conditions may include memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other recognized medical issues.

Even if someone is younger than 65, they can still qualify for a waiver if they have a documented physical or mental health condition. USCIS may scrutinize younger applicants more closely, but anyone who can prove a valid condition can apply for a waiver using medical forms N-648 (filled by a doctor or clinical psychologist) alongside Form N-400 when submitting the citizenship application.

Applicants should submit these documents when applying; late submission is not allowed. If the USCIS officer is not initially satisfied, applicants can request clarification via Form N-14 and provide corrected medical documentation at a second interview.

Sami also noted language-based waivers: applicants aged 50 or older who have lived in the U.S. for at least 20 years may be asked only oral questions, bypassing reading and writing portions. Similarly, applicants aged 55 or older with at least 15 years of U.S. residency may also qualify for an exam waiver.

These provisions are designed to accommodate seniors and those with health challenges, ensuring they can obtain citizenship without the standard exam