VOI World/ Desk
US citizenship fee hike proposals unveiled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could significantly increase the cost of becoming an American citizen for thousands of Indians eligible for naturalisation each year.
Under the proposal, the filing fee for Form N-400, the application used by green card holders seeking US citizenship, would rise from $710 to $1,280 for online submissions and from $760 to $1,330 for paper filings. The increase amounts to roughly 80% and 75%, respectively.
The proposal would also eliminate reduced-fee options and remove fee waivers currently available to applicants with limited financial means. DHS said the changes are intended to better align fees with the agency’s costs of processing and adjudicating naturalisation applications.
The move comes at a time when Indians continue to rank among the largest groups acquiring US citizenship. According to DHS data, 65,960 Indians became US citizens in fiscal year 2022, followed by 59,100 in FY2023 and 49,700 in FY2024, making India the second-largest source country for new American citizens despite a decline over the past two years.
DHS has also proposed increasing the fee for Form N-336, used to appeal denied naturalisation applications, to $1,425 for online filings and $1,475 for paper submissions.
The agency will accept public comments on the proposal for 60 days before issuing a final rule. If approved, the US citizenship fee hike could add substantial costs for Indian families and permanent residents planning to apply for American citizenship.
