The Department of Homeland Security is proposing major changes to the fees for naturalization-related applications, saying the current structure does not recover the full cost of processing those cases. In a notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2026, DHS said it wants to raise the filing fee for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to $1,330 for paper filings and $1,280 for online filings. The agency also proposed increasing the fee for Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings Under Section 336, to $1,475 for paper filings and $1,425 for online filings.
Along with the higher fees, DHS proposed eliminating the reduced-fee option currently available for some N-400 applicants whose household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. The proposal would also end fee waivers for both Form N-400 and Form N-336. Under the rule, applicants who qualify for military naturalization under sections 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act would remain exempt from paying the filing fees, because those exemptions are required by statute.
DHS said the proposed changes are meant to bring naturalization fees in line with the “full cost” of adjudicating applications, including identity verification, interviews, background checks, fraud detection and other screening activities tied to the naturalization process. The agency argued that Form N-400 and Form N-336 have long been priced below cost, forcing USCIS to make up the difference by charging more for other immigration benefits. DHS said the new fee structure would shift those costs back to the applicants who directly use the naturalization system.
The rule also reflects a broader policy shift in how DHS says it wants to price immigration benefits. In the proposal, the department said it is moving toward a “beneficiary-pays” model, which means the people who receive the service should pay the full cost of that service. DHS contrasted that approach with the earlier “ability-to-pay” framework that supported lower fees and fee relief for naturalization applicants. The department said it no longer believes naturalization should be subsidized by other immigration benefit requestors.
The proposed rule goes into detail about why USCIS says naturalization cases are expensive to process. DHS said Form N-400 cases involve biometric services, FBI fingerprint checks, name checks, TECS checks, interviews, review of immigration and travel history, good moral character reviews and oath ceremonies. The agency also said Form N-336 hearings require substantial work because they may involve de novo review, new testimony, additional evidence and further testing if an applicant previously failed the English or civics exam. USCIS said those activities justify higher fees because they take significant staff time and administrative resources.
DHS also argued that removing the reduced fee and fee-waiver options would improve processing efficiency. The agency said those options can create incentives for some applicants to file even when they may not be ready for naturalization, because a denied application may not lead to immediate enforcement consequences. It said eliminating the options would simplify intake procedures and reduce the workload associated with reviewing fee-waiver requests. DHS further said that some applicants who receive reduced fees or fee waivers may still be able to pay the full fee, which in the agency’s view makes the current system too generous.
The proposal is also tied to recent changes in naturalization policy and enforcement priorities. DHS said USCIS has already moved to expand screening, restore more rigorous good moral character review and resume personal investigations in naturalization cases. The agency said those changes are likely to increase the cost of adjudicating Form N-400 and Form N-336, making a fee increase more necessary. USCIS said it may need additional staff and resources to carry out the newer screening and vetting requirements.
The rule would keep the current $50 online filing discount for both forms, but it would apply to much higher base fees. DHS said it is not proposing to change that online discount in this rule, though it could revisit the issue in future rulemaking. The agency also said it is not changing the fee for Form N-600K, another citizenship-related form, because it was not priced below cost in the prior fee rule.
DHS set an Aug. 24, 2026 deadline for public comments. The agency said comments must be submitted in English, or with an English translation, through the federal rulemaking portal, and should reference DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0265. It said comments filed by email, letter, hand delivery or courier will not be treated as official comments on the proposed rule.
For many immigrants preparing for citizenship, the proposal could significantly raise the cost of becoming a U.S. citizen if it is finalized. The biggest immediate effect would be on applicants who currently depend on the reduced-fee or waiver process, as those options would disappear under the proposal. DHS said the rule is still only proposed, and the final version could change after the public comment period closes.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
