The United States government has eased the naturalisation requirement for certain older lawful permanent residents, allowing eligible green card holders to seek citizenship without taking the mandatory English language test. The exception published by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) applies to applicants who meet specific age and residency requirements at the time they file their citizenship application. Under the new rules, green card holders aged 50 or older who have lived in the U.S as lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years are exempt from the English requirement. "Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (Green Card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception). U.S. citizenship rules also provide an exemption for applicants who are unable to meet the English and civics requirements because of a qualifying medical disability.