US Citizenship fee likely to increase - What you need to know.

cordislaw
Jun 23
2 min read

On Monday June 22, 2026, this administration threw another stick in the immigration wheel by issuing a proposed fee increase for citizenship.

Who is eligible to file for Citizenship?

Any lawful permanent resident who has had their lawful status for at least five (5) year.
Any lawful permanent resident who obtained their status based on marriage to a US citizen, who has held such status for at least three (3) years.
Any lawful permanent resident of a US citizen spouse who received their status under the Violence Against Women Act.
Certain members of the US Armed forces

What is the current cost to apply for Citizenship?

The current filing fees for applications being submitted by mail is $760. If the application is being submitted online, the fee is $710.

What is the proposed fee change?

The proposed rules, which is open for public comment for the next 60 days suggests the following fee increase:

1. Paper Filing $1330

2. Online Filing $1280

The proposal also seeks to eliminate the fee waiver request option that is currently available to those who may not be able to afford the cost of the application. It also seeks to eliminate the low-income fee reduction options for persons at or below the poverty line (400% below).

The proposed rule will also eliminate the fee reduction on requests for hearing in a denial of naturalization.

It appears that those in the military will still be able to pursue this fee reduction.

If you are considering applying for citizenship you must satisfy the requirements below:

Be at least 18 years of age;
Be lawfully admitted as a permanent resident of the United States;
Have resided continuously within the United States for a period of at least five years after having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence;
Have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months of the five years preceding the date of filing the application;
Have lived within the state or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the alien's place of residence for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing, or date of the examination if filing early;
Have resided continuously within the United States from the date of application for naturalization up to the time of admission to citizenship;
For all relevant time periods mentioned, have been and continue to be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and favorably disposed toward the good order and happiness of the United
States;
Demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language; and
Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government of the United States.