Trump Administration Moves to Raise Fees for U.S. Citizenship Applications

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing significant increases in the cost of applying for American citizenship, according to a new rule published on Monday.

Under the proposal, the fee for submitting Form N-400 — the application used for naturalization — would rise sharply. Paper applications would increase by about 75%, from $760 to $1,330, while online submissions would rise by roughly 80%, from $710 to $1,280.

The DHS proposal also seeks to eliminate reduced-fee options currently available to applicants whose household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. In addition, fee waivers for the citizenship application would also be removed. However, current and former U.S. military service members applying for naturalization would still remain eligible for fee exemptions.

Officials said the changes are intended to ensure that application fees fully cover the cost of processing citizenship requests. The agency argued that current charges do not reflect the full expense of background checks, screening, and other vetting procedures carried out by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

DHS stated in the proposed rule that applicants “should pay the full cost of adjudication,” adding that citizenship is a significant benefit that should not be subsidized through other immigration fees.

The proposal is part of a broader immigration policy approach under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has focused on tightening both legal and illegal immigration pathways. The administration has also pursued controversial efforts to review and in some cases revoke the citizenship of certain naturalized individuals.

Immigration experts have warned that if the proposal is implemented, it could make the naturalization process significantly more expensive and potentially out of reach for lower-income immigrants. Critics argue that the U.S. has historically kept citizenship fees relatively low to encourage eligible permanent residents to become citizens.

The proposed rule is not yet final and must undergo a public comment process before any decision is made on implementation.