Читать книгу U.S. Citizenship For Dummies - Jennifer Gagliardi - Страница 34

In order to accommodate those with disabilities, certain applicants — those with a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment — may not be required to take the English and/or civics test. If you think you, or an immigrant you are assisting, may qualify for these exceptions, be prepared to file USCIS Form N-648 “Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions” along with the naturalization application. Don’t send in the application until a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or licensed clinical psychologist with knowledge of the case has completed and signed Form N-648. If you qualify for the English language proficiency portion of the test, be prepared to bring a qualified interpreter with you to your interview.

When it comes to gaining U.S. citizenship, age has its privileges in the form of easier English and/or civics test requirements:

 If you are over 50 years old and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, you won’t have to take the English test. You will, however, be required to take the civics test in the language of your choice.

 If you are over 55 years old and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling at least 15 years, you won’t have to take the English test. You will be required to take the civics test in the language of your choice.

 If you are over 65 years old and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, you won’t have to take the English test. You’ll also be given a simpler version of the civics test in the language of your choice.

You must meet the age and permanent residency requirements at the time you file your Application for Naturalization in order to qualify for an age exception. Your time as a permanent resident need not be continuous, but it must total a period of at least 15 or 20 years. (We cover this topic in more detail in Chapter 4.)

Failure to pay child support or support other legal dependents can present a bar to naturalization. Make sure that your legal financial obligations to any dependents are current and up-to-date before applying for citizenship.