June 2026
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a significant increase in the cost of applying for U.S. citizenship, a move that could impact hundreds of thousands of lawful permanent residents, including many Indian Green Card holders.
Under the proposal, the filing fee for Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) would increase from $760 to $1,330 for paper applications and $1,280 for online applications. This represents a fee increase of approximately 75%. The proposal has been published for public review and is not yet a final rule.
Key Proposed Changes
- Naturalization application fee (Form N-400) to increase from $760 to:
- $1,330 (paper filing)
- $1,280 (online filing)
- Fee for Form N-336 (Request for Hearing on a Naturalization Decision) would also rise substantially.
- Reduced-fee options for lower-income applicants would be eliminated.
- Most fee waivers for citizenship applicants would be removed, although exemptions for qualifying military applicants would remain.
Why Is DHS Proposing the Increase?
According to DHS, the current fees do not fully cover the cost of processing and adjudicating naturalization applications. The agency says the proposed adjustments are intended to make the naturalization program more financially self-sustaining and recover the full cost of services provided.
Impact on Immigrants
The proposal is expected to have a considerable impact on Green Card holders planning to become U.S. citizens. Immigration advocates have expressed concerns that higher fees could create additional financial barriers for eligible applicants, particularly lower-income families seeking naturalization.
For Indian nationals, the change could be especially significant. Indians consistently rank among the largest groups of immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship, meaning the proposed fee increase may affect thousands of prospective applicants each year.
What Happens Next?
The proposal is currently open for public comment before DHS decides whether to finalize the rule. Until a final regulation is issued, the existing citizenship application fees remain in effect.
Conclusion
The proposed increase marks one of the most substantial changes to U.S. naturalization fees in recent years. While DHS argues that the adjustment is necessary to cover operational costs, applicants and immigration stakeholders will be closely watching the public consultation process to see whether the proposal moves forward in its current form.
