Us Citizenship To Become More Expensive For Green Card Holders How Much Cost Could Go Up As Trump Admin Seeks Change

The rule, released for public comment on Monday, represents a significant change in federal policy as it seeks to align naturalization fees with what the Department of Homeland Security describes as the “full costs” of processing applications.

This includes enhanced screening and vetting measures introduced under recent executive orders, reported Newsweek.

The changes would impact hundreds of thousands of lawful permanent residents annually.

Critics warn that it could make the path to citizenship more difficult for lower-income applicants and place a greater share of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ operating expenses directly on those seeking naturalization.

“While USCIS is largely a fee-funded agency and must recover its operational costs, substantially increasing naturalization fees risks turning citizenship into a benefit that is less accessible to those of modest means,” Adam Klein, a former Department of Homeland Security official and co-founder of Globali.ai told Newsweek

He also highlighted the broader implications of naturalization and the potential impact of increased fees.

"Naturalization has historically been encouraged as a matter of public policy because citizens tend to experience greater economic mobility, civic participation, and long-term integration. Higher fees could undermine those goals,” Klein added.

According to the rule posted on Monday in the Federal Register, the cost of applying for U.S. citizenship would increase by 75%. The proposal outlines that it would not take effect for at least 60 days after being posted, as it must first go through a required public comment period.

In the draft rule, the Department of Homeland Security proposes raising the general paper filing fee from $760 to $1,330. This represents an increase of $570, which amounts to a 75% rise in the current application cost.

The fee for requesting reconsideration before an appeals board would also see a sharp rise, increasing from $830 to $1,475 under the proposed rule — a jump of $645, or about 77.7%, according to the draft.

A DHS official told Newsweek that the proposed changes are part of a routine adjustment to fee structures, arguing that the current charges do not fully cover the cost of processing applications.

The official further stated that naturalization is considered “the most significant” immigration benefit that can be granted to an immigrant.

Ojas Jaiswal is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, currently working with the US Desk, where he covers a wide spectrum of American sports and global news developments. From high-intensity NFL moments on the field to the latest off-court NBA storylines, he specializes in delivering engaging, audience-driven stories that blend factual accuracy with compelling narratives. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Bennett University, Ojas brings over two years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining Hindustan Times, he worked with EssentiallySports, a leading digital sports media platform catering to American sports audiences, where he contributed across multiple editorial and engagement-focused roles. He also interned with Times Network at the Sports Desk, producing articles and video content across diverse sports, ranging from Formula 1 to football. Known for his commitment to factual and accurate reporting, Ojas was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Editing during his college years. Beyond sports journalism, he closely follows international affairs and global developments, while also exploring documentaries from different cultures and regions around the world. A lifelong football enthusiast, Ojas has admired Lionel Messi since childhood and continues to draw inspiration from the football icon’s journey and legacy.Read More