Application Fee for US Citizenship

Imagine achieving the American dream, only to be halted by a fee. The application fee for U.S. citizenship, currently set at $725, serves as both a gateway and a barrier for many aspiring citizens. But what if this fee was more than just a number? For countless immigrants, the fee represents the culmination of years of effort, paperwork, and financial planning.

In fact, the fee has increased dramatically over the years, reflecting changes in the U.S. immigration system. For some, this increase has been a burden too heavy to bear, causing delays in their journey toward citizenship. Others, however, see it as a necessary investment in their future, one that pays off with access to the rights and privileges of being a U.S. citizen.

But before diving into the costs, it's essential to understand what the application fee covers. This fee includes the $640 processing fee and an additional $85 biometric services fee. Together, they amount to $725, which is required when submitting Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization. However, there are exemptions and fee waivers available for those who qualify, such as individuals who meet specific income requirements or those applying from military service.

Let’s break down the journey further: First, the processing fee—the main chunk of the $725—covers the administrative costs of reviewing, evaluating, and processing the naturalization application. These processes are extensive, involving background checks, interviews, and reviews of the applicant’s legal status, criminal history, and residency qualifications.

The second part is the biometric services fee, which pays for fingerprinting, photo capturing, and other identity verification procedures. These biometrics help U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ensure that each applicant is who they claim to be, reducing the risk of fraud in the system.

What may come as a surprise is that the application fee does not cover everything. Once the fee is paid and the application submitted, applicants still need to attend an interview, take a civics test, and potentially even hire an immigration lawyer for additional help, which can add several thousand dollars to the process.

Who is affected most by the fee? Low-income families, elderly applicants, and individuals who have been residing in the U.S. for decades often find it challenging to meet the financial requirements. Many community organizations offer assistance, helping applicants navigate fee waivers or providing advice on fundraising efforts.

The U.S. government has previously considered increasing the application fee even further. A 2020 proposal sought to raise it to over $1,000, a move that was met with strong opposition and eventually halted. Yet, the fear remains that future increases could further limit access to naturalization.

In recent years, advocacy groups have called for reducing or eliminating the fee for certain groups, arguing that the price should not be a barrier to achieving citizenship. Some have even suggested that the U.S. government should subsidize the process as part of broader immigration reforms.

For those who cannot afford the fee outright, payment plans, fee waivers, and legal aid resources can help ease the burden. USCIS offers a sliding scale for reduced fees, and there are programs available to help lower-income applicants afford the cost.

Here’s a comparison table showing the evolution of the fee over the years:

Year	Application Fee ($)
1991	90
2002	260
2007	595
2020	725

The table shows how the fee has increased dramatically over the decades, reflecting the growing costs of processing citizenship applications. However, it also highlights the economic burden this places on applicants.

Ultimately, the application fee is just one step in the often long and difficult road to U.S. citizenship. While many see it as a barrier, others view it as an investment in their future. But the question remains: Should the price of citizenship be so high?

The debate over the cost of naturalization isn’t going away anytime soon. With ongoing discussions about immigration reform in the U.S., the fee is likely to remain a hot topic. Will it increase again? Will new waivers or subsidies be introduced? Only time will tell.

For now, aspiring citizens must weigh the cost of the fee against the benefits of becoming a U.S. citizen, which include access to voting rights, government jobs, and certain benefits unavailable to non-citizens. For many, the price is worth it—but for others, it remains a dream deferred.