USCIS Proposes 75% Increase to Citizenship Application Fee

TL;DR

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed raising the N-400 naturalization application fee from $760 to $1,330, a 75% increase. The proposal also eliminates fee waivers and reduced-fee options for low-income applicants. This is not yet final. A 60-day public comment period is open through August 24, 2026. If you are currently eligible for U.S. citizenship, now is a smart time to talk to an immigration attorney about filing sooner rather than later.

Increased Citizenship Application Fees

On June 23, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would dramatically raise the cost of applying for naturalization; the official process by which a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) becomes a U.S. citizen. The proposed increase to Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, is one of the largest single fee hikes in recent U.S. immigration history.

Here’s what’s in the proposal, what it means for you, and what to do next.

What Is USCIS Proposing?

The proposed rule, submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under DHS, would make the following changes:

New N-400 Filing Fees:

• Paper filing: from $760 → $1,330 (a 75% increase)
• Online filing: from $710 → $1,280 (an 80% increase)

New N-336 Filing Fees (Appeal After Denial):

• Paper filing: from $830 → $1,475
• Online filing: from $780 → $1,425

Elimination of Fee Waivers and Reduced Fees:

• The current reduced fee of $380 (available to applicants earning at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines) would be eliminated entirely.
• Fee waivers (currently available to applicants based on income, receipt of public benefits, or financial hardship) would also be eliminated.
• The only exception: active and former military service members, who remain exempt from naturalization fees under federal statute.

DHS argues that the current fees do not cover the full cost of processing naturalization applications, particularly as the agency invests in enhanced screening and vetting. The agency stated in its proposed rule that it “no longer believes naturalization benefit requests should get lower fees at the potential expense of other immigration benefits.”

Why Is This Happening Now?

The U.S. immigration process is already overwhelming and complex, and this proposed change adds another layer of difficulty for people who have done everything right.

USCIS is largely a fee-funded agency. Unlike most federal departments, it doesn’t rely primarily on congressional appropriations to operate. It depends on what applicants pay. The Trump administration has significantly increased vetting requirements for naturalization, including heightened scrutiny of “good moral character” requirements and a revived practice of neighborhood checks, where USCIS officers speak with applicants’ neighbors and coworkers. Those enhanced processes cost more to operate, and DHS is proposing to pass that cost directly to applicants.

This is a notable departure from decades of immigration policy. Previous administrations intentionally kept naturalization fees lower than cost to encourage eligible green card holders to pursue citizenship, recognizing that naturalization leads to greater civic participation, economic integration, and long-term stability. The current administration has explicitly moved away from that goal.

Who Is Most Affected?

The proposed changes would impact hundreds of thousands of lawful permanent residents who apply for citizenship each year. But the impact won’t fall equally.

For applicants who currently rely on fee waivers or reduced fees, including lower-income immigrants, seniors on fixed incomes, and families balancing multiple household costs, this proposal could effectively triple what they pay today. Where someone currently qualifies for a waiver and pays nothing, they would now owe $1,280 or more.

USCIS itself acknowledges in the proposed rule that higher fees could cause some eligible permanent residents to delay or forgo applying for citizenship altogether, and that some may choose to simply keep renewing their green cards instead of naturalizing. That’s a significant real-world consequence.

Is This Final? What Happens Next?

No, this is a proposed rule, not a final one. Here is what the rulemaking process looks like from here:

Step 1: Public Comment Period – The 60-day public comment window is now open. Anyone can submit a comment in support of or opposition to the proposed rule through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov (DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0265). The comment period closes August 24, 2026.

Step 2: DHS Reviews Comments – After the comment period closes, DHS will review the feedback received and may revise the rule before issuing a final version.

Step 3: Final Rule Publication – If DHS moves forward, a final rule would be published in the Federal Register. Only then would new fees take effect, and only as of the date specified in that final rule.

Current fees remain in effect throughout this entire process. There is no confirmed effective date for the increase, and no finalized rule yet.

What Should You Do Right Now?

If you are a lawful permanent resident who is eligible, or close to eligible, for U.S. citizenship, this proposed rule is a strong signal to act.

Filing at today’s fee locks in the lower cost. The moment USCIS receives your completed application before any final rule takes effect, you pay the current fee. You do not need to wait until your case is approved.

That said, filing before you are truly ready can slow or complicate your case. Proper preparation matters. Before you move forward, it’s important to:

• Confirm your eligibility. Most applicants need five years as a permanent resident (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen), continuous U.S. residence, physical presence in the country, and good moral character. Enhanced vetting under the current administration makes accurate, complete applications more important than ever.
• Gather your documentation. An incomplete or rushed application can cause delays, RFEs (Requests for Evidence), or denials, none of which are worth trying to save a few hundred dollars now.
• Speak with an immigration attorney before filing. The naturalization process involves more than just submitting a form. An experienced immigration lawyer can review your history, identify any potential issues, and help you file a strong, complete case.

Nobody should navigate immigration alone. Especially not now.

How Berardi Immigration Law Can Help

The U.S. immigration legal process is overwhelming and complex. Proposed rule changes like this one, with significant financial consequences and shifting policy context, are exactly the kind of development that makes professional legal guidance so valuable.

At Berardi Immigration Law, we prepare and file your case for you. Our team monitors every immigration policy development, from USCIS fee changes to executive orders to agency processing updates, so you don’t have to. We work with individuals, professionals, and businesses to help move them from foreign national status to U.S. immigration status holder, with the goal of a smooth process and a better immigration outcome.

If you are approaching naturalization eligibility and want to understand your options before this proposed fee increase becomes final, we encourage you to reach out. The sooner we review your case, the more options you have.

Don’t Wait for a Final Rule to Start the Conversation

The proposed N-400 fee increase is not final, but it is a serious signal about the direction of immigration policy under the current administration. For the hundreds of thousands of lawful permanent residents who are eligible to apply for citizenship, the window to file at today’s lower fee is open right now.

Berardi Immigration Law is here to help you understand your options, review your eligibility, and file with confidence. Because a smooth business immigration process leads to a better immigration outcome.

Have questions about your naturalization eligibility or timing? Contact Berardi Immigration Law to speak with one of our experienced immigration attorneys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the proposed fee increase apply to me if I’ve already filed my N-400?

A: No. If USCIS has already received your N-400 application, the new fees would not apply to your case. This proposed increase would only affect applications submitted after a final rule takes effect, and no final effective date has been set yet. Current fees remain in effect throughout the comment and review process.

Q: Can I still get a fee waiver for my naturalization application today?

A: Yes, for now. Under current rules, fee waivers are still available for applicants who qualify based on income, receipt of public benefits, or financial hardship. The proposed rule would eliminate waivers if finalized, but those options remain in place today. If you believe you may qualify, speak with an immigration attorney to understand your eligibility and apply while the option is still available.

Q: How do I submit a comment on the proposed rule?

A: The public comment period is open through August 24, 2026. You can submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov by searching for DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0265. Comments from affected individuals, community organizations, and advocacy groups all factor into DHS’s review process before a final rule is issued.