How Much Does It Cost to Become a U.S. Citizen in 2026? The Fee Could Jump to $1,330
The government wants to raise the citizenship application fee by 75 percent and end the reduced fees and waivers that make it affordable. The new price isn't in effect yet, which is exactly why your timing matters right now.
The government wants to make becoming a citizen a lot more expensive.
On June 23, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security put out a proposed rule that raises the fee for the citizenship application and removes the reduced fees and waivers that have helped lower income families for years. Nothing has changed yet. But if this becomes final, the cost of naturalizing climbs sharply. So before you decide to put it off, read this.
Is the new citizenship fee in effect yet?
No. Right now it's only a proposal. Today's fees still apply, and they'll keep applying until the government finishes the process and issues a final rule.
That means you're not too late. Anyone who files while the current fees are in place pays the current price. The window is open. It just won't stay open forever.
How much does the citizenship application cost now, and what would it cost under the new rule?
The citizenship application is Form N-400. Today it costs $760 on paper or $710 online.
The proposed rule pushes the paper fee to $1,330 and the online fee to $1,280. On paper, that's a 75 percent jump. Online runs about 80 percent higher than it does today.
There's a second form to know about. If your case is denied and you want to appeal, you file Form N-336. That fee would climb from $830 to $1,475 on paper, and from $780 to $1,425 online.
What happens to the fee waivers and the reduced fee?
They go away, and this is the change that hits my clients the hardest.
Two things help families afford citizenship right now. One is a reduced fee of $380 for households earning at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The other is a full fee waiver for people facing real financial hardship or receiving certain public benefits.
The proposal removes both, for the application and for the appeal. The only people who stay exempt are current and former members of the military.
Think about a husband and wife who qualify for the reduced fee today. They could file together for $760. If this rule takes effect with no discount, that same couple pays more than $2,500. For a lot of families, that difference in price decides whether they apply at all.
Why is the government raising the citizenship fee?
DHS says applicants should cover the full cost of processing their own cases, including the background and security checks. The agency says today's fees don't cover that cost, and that keeping citizenship cheap forces it to make up the gap from the fees people pay for other immigration benefits. It says it's done doing that.
That's how the government explains it. You can agree or not, but that's what's driving the new price.
When would the higher fee start?
Nobody can give you an exact date, and I wouldn't trust anyone who tries.
The public has until August 24, 2026 to send comments on the proposal. After that, DHS reads the feedback and decides whether to publish a final rule. When a final rule comes out, it usually takes effect about 30 to 60 days later. The current fees stay in place through all of it, and the final version can end up different from what's on the table now.
If you want to weigh in, you can file a comment through the Federal Register under docket number USCIS-2026-0265.
Should you apply for citizenship now?
If you have a green card and you already meet the requirements, I think you should take a hard look at filing soon. Locking in today's fee can save you a few hundred dollars, and a lot more for a family.
One caution before you rush. Don't file until you're actually eligible. The fee isn't refundable, so the time you've held your green card, your physical presence in the country, and your good moral character period all need to check out first. Filing early to beat a price increase backfires if the case gets denied.
And if cost is the thing standing in your way, the reduced fee and the waiver still exist today. They may not be there once this rule is final.
This is a legal decision and a financial decision at the same time, and the right call depends on the details of your case. Sitting down with an immigration attorney before you file is worth it, especially while the rules are moving.
Find out where you stand before the price changes
I've met too many people who qualified for years, kept putting it off, and then ran into a higher fee or a new requirement. If you've been meaning to do this, this is a good time to check.
Call or message us and we'll go through your eligibility and your timing together.
ARC Legal Services Call or text: 469-200-0158
www.arclawoffice.com Fort Worth, TX. Hablamos Español.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. The figures here come from a proposed rule published in June 2026 that is not yet final, and the current fees still apply. Every case is different. Please talk with a licensed immigration attorney about your situation before you file.
Arzoo R. Connor is a licensed immigration and estate planning attorney and the founding attorney of ARC Legal Services in Fort Worth, Texas.
