The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a significant increase in the filing fee for Form N-400, the application for obtaining US citizenship through naturalization, from $760 to $1,330, representing a nearly 75% hike. This change would impact thousands of Indians who qualify for US citizenship annually after securing permanent residency.
According to the proposal, applicants would be required to pay $1,330 for paper submissions and $1,280 for online applications. This would result in fee hikes of 75% and 80%, respectively. The previous USCIS regulation set the fee at $760 for paper naturalization applications and $710 for online submissions.
The proposal would also abolish the reduced filing fee offered to specific applicants whose household incomes fall below designated thresholds and abolish fee waivers for Form N-400. The overall trend indicates a rise in immigration costs, with the DHS having already raised premium-processing fees for various immigration categories in 2026.
Indian citizens constitute one of the most substantial groups awaiting employment-based green cards in the United States. Attaining citizenship frequently signifies the ultimate achievement following a lengthy and costly immigration journey. Increased application fees may exacerbate an already considerable financial strain that encompasses visa application costs, legal fees, adjustment-of-status expenses, travel documentation fees, and applications for dependents.
