Foreign Workers Take Note: USCIS Hints at H-1B and Citizenship Test Overhaul

The H-1B visa, long a flashpoint in the immigration debate, could be in for another shake-up. Joseph Edlow, the new director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), says the work visa system needs to be retooled to better serve U.S. workers.

Take on H-1B: Supplement, Don’t Supplant

Joseph Edlow, the recently appointed director of USCIS, pulled back the curtain on the administration’s approach in a chat with The New York Times. His takeaway? The H-1B program needs to “supplement, not supplant” American businesses and workers.

What this really means is: Expect a shift in how visas are granted, with a sharper focus on filling actual skills gaps, rather than replacing US workers with cheaper alternatives. It’s a message aimed as much at tech companies as at would-be expats scouting their next career move.

US Citizenship Test: Standards in Flux

But it’s not just work visas. Edlow didn’t mince words about America’s citizenship test either. He called it “not very difficult” and questioned whether a test you can memorise truly captures the “spirit of the law.”

Quick history lesson: The Bush administration standardised the test in 2008, with six correct answers out of 10 (from 100 possible civics questions). The Trump team raised the bar during its first term to 12 out of 20, bumping the question pool to 128.

The Biden administration dialled it back to the earlier standard in March 2021. As of late 2024, a planned redesign was dropped after a chorus of negative feedback.

What Travelers and Expats Should Watch

H-1B changes: If you’re an international worker eyeing the US, stay alert for updates around how applications will be assessed. Policy tweaks could mean a more competitive process, or a move to favour certain industries or skill sets.

Citizenship test stability?: After years of back-and-forth, the test format seems to have settled down for now. But with ongoing debate, don’t be surprised by future tweaks.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re packing for a stint in Silicon Valley or prepping for your US naturalisation interview, the rules on visas and citizenship tests remain in flux. The only constant? Change—and the need to keep informed.