(1) Initial Period.-The initial period of authorized
admission as a Z nonimmigrant shall be four years.
(2) Extensions-
(A) In General.-Z nonimmigrants may seek an
indefinite number of four-year extensions of the
initial period of authorized admission.
(B) Requirements.-In order to be eligible for an
extension of the initial or any subsequent period of
authorized admission under this paragraph, an alien
must satisfy the following requirements:
(i) Eligibility.-The alien must demonstrate
continuing eligibility for Z nonimmigrant
status;
(ii) English Language and Civics.-
"(I) Requirement at First Renewal.--At or
before the time of application for the first
extension of Z nonimmigrant status, an
alien who is 18 years of age or older
must demonstrate an attempt to gain an
understanding of the English language
and knowledge of United States civics by
taking the naturalization test described in
sections 312(a)(1) and (2) by
demonstrating enrollment in or
placement on a waiting list for English
classes.
(II) Requirement at Second Renewal.-30
At or before the time of application for
the second extension of Z nonimmigrant
status, an alien who is 18 years of age or
older must pass the naturalization test
described in sections 312(a)(1) and (2).
The alien may make up to three
attempts to demonstrate such
understanding and knowledge but must
satisfy this requirement prior to the
expiration of the second extension of Z
nonimmigrant status.
