If you are planning to apply for U.S. citizenship or need to request a hearing regarding a naturalization decision, you should be aware of a massive fee increase proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Published on June 23, 2026, this proposed rule aims to dramatically increase the fees for naturalization applicationsand completely eliminate the financial assistance options that have historically helped lower-income applicants. Here is a breakdown of what the proposal entails, the exact costs you might soon face, and why you should act quickly.
What Are the Key Changes and New Costs?
The proposed rule focuses on shifting the full burden of processing costs onto the applicants. If finalized, the changes will result in an unprecedented spike in the cost of citizenship. The major changes include:
- An 80% Fee Increase for Form N-400: Under the new proposal, the standard processing fee for Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) will skyrocket to $1,330. This represents a staggering $570 price jump (an approximate 80% increase) over current rates.
- Fees for Form N-336 Are Also Rising: The cost for Form N-336 (Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings) is also set to see a proportional increase to cover full adjudication costs.
- Elimination of the Reduced Fee Option: The current reduced-fee tier for Form N-400—which previously allowed applicants with moderate incomes to pay a substantially lower rate—will be completely abolished.
- End of Financial Fee Waivers: Most critically, financial fee waivers (Form I-912) will no longer be available for either Form N-400 or Form N-336. All civilian applicants, regardless of income level, will be strictly required to pay the full $1,330 processing cost.
Are There Any Exemptions?
Yes. Consistent with federal law, current and former members of the U.S. armed forces who are applying for naturalization under military service provisions (INA Sections 328 and 329) will remain exempt from paying the full application fees.
Why Is USCIS Making These Changes?
Unlike many federal agencies, USCIS is primarily funded by the fees collected from applications, rather than by taxpayer dollars. The agency states that current fees do not fully cover the actual cost of adjudicating these forms.
By applying a strict “beneficiary-pays” principle, the proposed rule ensures that the individuals requesting citizenship bear the full financial weight of the process. Furthermore, under recent Executive Orders signed in early 2026 (such as E.O. 14161), DHS is required to implement maximum screening and vetting processes for all applicants to protect national security. The massive 80% fee hike is intended to fund the resources needed to carry out these extensive, resource-heavy background checks.
How to Make Your Voice Heard
Because this is currently a proposed rule (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), the public has the right to submit comments and feedback before the agency can make it a final law.
If you wish to share how a $1,330 fee or the removal of fee waivers will impact you or your community, you can submit a public comment:
- Deadline: All comments must be submitted on or before August 24, 2026.
- Where to Submit: Visit the Federal Register https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/23/2026-12542/naturalization-application-fee-adjustments
- What to do: Follow the website’s instructions to provide your comments. Comments must be written in English. Be specific about how the 80% increase which affects you and provide reasons for any recommended changes.
- Note: USCIS is not accepting mailed, hand-delivered, or emailed comments for this proposal. All feedback must be submitted through the online portal.
What Should You Do Next?
Do not wait until it costs $1,330 to become a citizen. USCIS has almost always hiked the application fees before. It’s just a matter of time that these fee increases are going live. The exact amount of hike might differ but the fees are definitely going up based on our experience. If you or a family member are eligible to apply for naturalization right now, it is highly recommended that you file your Form N-400 immediately—before these new rules go into effect.
This is especially critical for individuals who currently qualify for a fee waiver or the reduced fee option, as those lifelines will soon disappear. Use our service today to prepare your application. When you use our service to prepare your application, we also include expert assistance with completing the correct USCIS fee waiver forms.
