DHS Proposes Higher Naturalization Fees and Elimination of N-400 Fee Relief

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed substantial filing fee increases for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings. The proposal would also eliminate the reduced-fee option for Form N-400 and general fee waivers for both forms, while preserving statutory exemptions for eligible current and former members of the U.S. armed forces.

The proposal has not yet taken effect. Public comments may be submitted through August 24, 2026, and the current fees and fee-relief options will remain available until a final rule becomes effective.

If you have questions regarding naturalization eligibility, Forms N-400 or N-336, fee-relief options, filing strategy, or employer-sponsored naturalization assistance, please contact the ILS legal team at contact@consultils.com.

Proposed Fee Increases

Under the proposed rule, the filing fees would change as follows:

Application	Current Fee	Proposed Fee
Form N-400, paper filing	$760	$1,330
Form N-400, online filing	$710	$1,280
Form N-336, paper filing	$830	$1,475
Form N-336, online filing	$780	$1,425

The proposed adjustments would increase Form N-400 filing fees by approximately 75% to 80%, depending on the method of filing. Form N-336 filing fees would increase by approximately 78% to 83%.

DHS also proposes to eliminate the current $380 reduced filing fee for eligible Form N-400 applicants, as well as the general fee-waiver options currently available for Forms N-400 and N-336.

Proposed Elimination of Reduced Fees and Fee Waivers

Under the current framework, certain Form N-400 applicants may qualify for a reduced filing fee based on household income. Other applicants may request a complete fee waiver based on qualifying financial circumstances.

The proposed rule would eliminate:

• The reduced-fee option for Form N-400;

• General fee-waiver eligibility for Form N-400; and

• General fee-waiver eligibility for Form N-336.

If the rule is finalized in its current form, most applicants would be required to pay the full filing fee. The statutory exemptions available to qualifying current and former members of the U.S. armed forces would remain unchanged.

The proposed changes may have a particularly significant impact on lower-income lawful permanent residents by increasing the financial cost of applying for naturalization or requesting administrative review of a denied naturalization application.

DHS’s Rationale for the Proposed Changes

USCIS is funded primarily through fees collected from applicants and petitioners rather than through general congressional appropriations. According to DHS, the current fees for Forms N-400 and N-336 do not fully cover the costs associated with adjudicating those applications.

DHS states that the costs of naturalization adjudications include:

• Identity verification and background checks;

• National security screening and vetting;

• Biographical and biometric data review;

• Fraud detection and risk assessment;

• Information technology infrastructure;

• Personnel and administrative expenses; and

• Other operational costs associated with adjudication.

The proposed rule reflects a more direct application of the “beneficiary-pays” principle, under which applicants receiving an immigration or naturalization benefit bear the costs associated with adjudicating their requests.

DHS maintains that the proposed increases would allow USCIS to recover the full cost of processing Forms N-400 and N-336 and reduce the extent to which those costs are supported by fees collected from applicants seeking other immigration benefits.

Current Fees and Fee Relief Remain Available

The publication of the proposed rule does not immediately change the current filing requirements.

Until a final rule is issued and becomes effective:

• Forms N-400 and N-336 remain subject to the current filing fees;

• Eligible Form N-400 applicants may continue to request the reduced fee;

• Existing fee-waiver options remain available; and

• DHS may revise the proposed terms after reviewing public comments.

Applicants should therefore distinguish between a proposed rule and a final, effective regulation. The proposed fees should not be used for filings unless and until USCIS formally announces that the new fee schedule has taken effect.

Considerations for Prospective Naturalization Applicants

For lawful permanent residents who are already eligible for naturalization and are considering filing Form N-400, the proposed rule may affect both the timing and overall cost of the application process.

Applicants who currently qualify for a reduced fee or fee waiver may wish to evaluate their filing timeline while the existing framework remains in effect. Any decision to file, however, should be based on a complete review of the applicant’s eligibility and immigration history rather than solely on the possibility of higher fees.

Naturalization applications may require careful analysis of issues including:

• Continuous residence and physical presence;

• Good moral character;

• Federal, state, and local tax compliance;

• Criminal or arrest records;

• Extended travel outside the United States;

• Selective Service registration, where applicable; and

• Prior immigration applications, statements, and status history.

Filing without first evaluating potential eligibility issues may result in requests for evidence, denial of the application, or the disclosure of broader immigration concerns.

Considerations for Employers

Some employers provide naturalization support to eligible lawful permanent resident employees, including reimbursement of government filing fees, payment of legal fees, or access to immigration-related employee benefits.

If the proposed fees are finalized, employers may need to consider whether to:

• Adjust budgets for employee naturalization assistance;

• Continue paying or reimbursing Form N-400 and Form N-336 filing fees;

• Revise internal immigration-benefit or reimbursement policies;

• Prioritize naturalization matters already under consideration; and

• Incorporate higher government fees into long-term workforce and retention planning.

Employers with a significant population of lawful permanent resident employees may experience a material increase in the cost of providing naturalization-related assistance.

Next Steps

The public may submit comments on the proposed rule through August 24, 2026.

After the comment period closes, DHS will review the submissions and may revise the proposed fees, eligibility requirements, or other provisions before issuing a final rule. The final fee amounts, implementation date, and any transitional arrangements will depend on the language of the final rule.

Prospective applicants and employers may use the current period to review planned naturalization filings, evaluate potential eligibility issues, and assess whether existing immigration-support policies should be updated.

Conclusion

The proposed rule would represent a significant change to the cost of applying for naturalization and seeking administrative review of a denied naturalization application. In addition to substantially increasing the filing fees for Forms N-400 and N-336, the proposal would eliminate reduced-fee and general fee-waiver options for most applicants.

The proposal has not yet taken effect, and the existing fee structure remains available while the rulemaking process continues. Applicants and employers should monitor further developments and review the final rule before relying on any proposed fee or eligibility change.

If you have questions regarding naturalization eligibility, Forms N-400 or N-336, fee-relief options, filing strategy, or employer-sponsored naturalization assistance, please contact the ILS legal team at contact@consultils.com.

Disclaimer：This article is based on the latest policy information as of June 25, 2026. Given the rapid changes in immigration policies, it is advisable for enterprises to pay close attention to official updates and consult professional immigration lawyers for the latest guidance. Our firm will continue to track policy developments and provide clients with timely and accurate professional services.

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As Partner and Head of Immigration at ILS, Anna advises global employers on all aspects of U.S. business immigration. She helps companies recruit and retain executives and highly skilled professionals essential to their U.S. operations, with experience spanning industries from autonomous driving and biotech, to entertainment, logistics, and manufacturing.

Previously, Anna practiced at leading global law firms and served as in-house counsel and compliance manager in the telecommunications, finance, and gaming industries. This diverse background equips her with practical, cross-industry insights that inform strategic, business-focused immigration solutions.

Email: contact@consultils.com | Phone: 626-344-8949