The Department of Homeland Security has published a proposed rule that would sharply increase naturalization fees and eliminate access to fee waivers and reductions for most applicants. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed raising fees for citizenship applications by about 75 percent, while eliminating fee waivers and reduced rates for most applicants, according to a notice published in the Federal Register. The proposal is open for public comment for 60 days and will materially affect how you counsel clients on timing and affordability of the naturalization process.
What changed
A Trump administration plan would charge legal immigrants seeking citizenship $570 more in application fees while eliminating waivers and fee reductions for low-income applicants. Specifically, the rule, published for public comment Monday, marks a major shift in federal policy by aligning naturalization fees with what DHS calls the “full costs” of adjudication, including expanded screening and vetting requirements mandated by recent executive orders.
Under the current fee structure, this fee totals $725 for most applicants, consisting of a $640 processing fee plus an $85 biometrics services fee. The proposed rule would increase the Form N-400 fee to approximately $1,170, representing a 75 percent increase.
The proposal also eliminates key affordability provisions. DHS proposes to eliminate both, stating in its proposal that USCIS would “eliminate eligibility for fee waivers for aliens filing Form N-400 or Form N-336” and also remove “the reduced fee for Form N-400.” Currently, the reduced N-400 filing fee is $380 in 2026. This saves you $345 compared to the standard cost. Your household income must be between 150% and 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
One exception remains: Current and former U.S. military service members would continue to be exempt from fees, as required by law.
In its plan, the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees USCIS, said the fee hikes are necessary to fully subsidize the processing of citizenship applications, especially in light of Trump administration efforts to more heavily scrutinize applicants. DHS frames this as aligning naturalization with a “full-cost, beneficiary-pays” model.
Why it matters
For immigration practitioners, this proposal signals a major shift in client advisory strategy if finalized. The changes would affect hundreds of thousands of lawful permanent residents each year, potentially delaying naturalization for lower‑income immigrants and shifting more of USCIS’s operating costs directly onto applicants.
The financial barrier is substantial. Clients who currently qualify for fee waivers based on income or hardship—historically a safeguard to promote naturalization as public policy—would lose that protection entirely. Critics are likely to counter that eliminating waivers could disproportionately affect low-income immigrants, raising barriers to citizenship.
The timing implication is also critical: any client currently eligible to file and concerned about cost should be advised to consider filing under the existing fee structure before a final rule takes effect. Comments must be submitted within 60 days of publication in the Federal Register; after that, DHS will review the feedback and may revise the policy before issuing a final rule.
Way forward
- Counsel affected clients now. If you have green card clients ages 18+ with 3–5 years of LPR status, discuss the fee proposal and the possibility of filing N-400 under current rules before any final rule takes effect.
- Monitor the Federal Register. The 60-day comment period is open now. Review the complete preamble and proposed language at the Federal Register to identify any safe harbors or effective-date provisions that might affect your clients’ filing windows.
- File fee waiver requests proactively. For clients currently eligible for fee waivers or reductions, gather documentation of income and hardship now and file pending applications with Form I-912 before waivers are eliminated by final rule.
- Plan fee budgeting conversations. For clients still gathering documents or employment authorization, discuss the potential for higher costs and advise them to prioritize timing if cost is a concern.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Folaform is a software company, not a law firm. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney licensed in your jurisdiction before advising a client or taking action based on proposed policy. Policy can change without notice, and a proposed rule does not take effect until DHS issues a final rule. Verify the current status and any updates at the Federal Register and the USCIS website, and review the authoritative source linked above.