USCIS 2026 Alert: Trump Proposes $570 N-400 Fee Hike, Eliminates Low-Income Waivers

The Trump administration has unveiled a proposed regulation that would significantly increase the cost of applying for U.S. citizenship. Under the plan put forward by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the N-400 naturalization application fee would rise from $760 to $1,330 for paper submissions and from $710 to $1,280 for online filings — an increase of approximately $570 across both channels. A particularly impactful element of the proposal is the elimination of existing fee waivers and reduced-fee options that currently benefit low-income applicants. These waivers have historically allowed eligible individuals to apply for citizenship at little to no cost, making naturalization more accessible across income levels. Their removal could create a significant financial barrier for thousands of lawful permanent residents pursuing citizenship each year. For EB-3 green card holders on the path to naturalization, this change represents a meaningful cost increase in the final stage of their immigration journey. EB-3 applicants typically wait years before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship, and this fee hike adds to the cumulative financial burden of the immigration process. The proposed rule is subject to a public comment period before it can take effect, meaning advocacy groups and affected individuals have an opportunity to submit formal responses to USCIS. Applicants who are already eligible for naturalization may want to consider filing under current fee structures before any final rule is implemented.