US Proposes Significant Fee Hikes for Citizenship Applications, Impacting Indian Nationals

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is proposing significant fee hikes for naturalization, potentially impacting thousands of Indian nationals. The cost for citizenship applications could rise by up to 80%, with reduced-fee options and waivers being eliminated. This move comes as Indians consistently rank among the largest groups becoming U.S. citizens, with tens of thousands naturalizing annually.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has put forward a proposal that would substantially increase the cost for permanent residents to become American citizens. This move could impact thousands of Indian nationals who are eligible to apply for naturalization each year.

Under the proposed changes, the fee for Form N-400, the primary application for naturalization, would see a significant rise. For paper filings, the cost would jump from $760 to $1,330, an increase of 75%. Online applications would face a steeper hike, rising by approximately 80% from $710 to $1,280.

Furthermore, the proposal aims to eliminate the current reduced-fee option for lower-income applicants and will also remove fee waivers entirely for naturalization applications. Currently, individuals with limited financial means can apply for either a fee reduction or a complete waiver.

Also Read | US proposes 75% hike in citizenship application fee, ends fee waivers for naturalisation seekers

The DHS also plans to increase the fee for Form N-336, which is used by applicants seeking a hearing after their citizenship applications have been denied. The fee for paper submissions of this form would go up from $830 to $1,475, and for online filings, it would increase from $780 to $1,425.

Persons naturalised by country of birth: Fiscal years 2022 to 2024

Country of birth2022 (number)2022 (%)2023 (number)2023 (%)2024 (number)2024 (%) Total969,380100.00%878,460100.00%818,570100.00% Mexico128,88013.30%111,46012.70%107,67013.20% India65,9606.80%59,0506.70%49,7006.10% Philippines53,4105.50%44,7605.10%41,2005.00% Dominican Republic34,5303.60%35,2204.00%39,8804.90% Vietnam33,2503.40%33,3103.80%34,2404.20% Cuba46,9104.80%33,1903.80%33,4304.10% China, People's Republic27,0402.80%30,7503.50%29,2003.60% El Salvador21,4502.20%21,0902.40%21,9402.70% Jamaica22,9602.40%20,1902.30%19,9702.40% Colombia18,0901.90%17,0901.90%17,8902.20% Haiti18,0001.90%16,1001.80%14,1601.70% Brazil13,2001.40%12,9801.50%14,1001.70% South Korea14,8801.50%12,3301.40%12,7601.60% Pakistan18,0101.90%15,4401.80%12,3801.50% Nigeria14,4401.50%13,5301.50%12,3101.50% Bangladesh14,1801.50%12,6401.40%11,6401.40% Canada12,5701.30%11,3201.30%11,2901.40% Venezuela11,5001.20%10,8601.20%10,8201.30% United Kingdom12,9801.30%10,9901.30%10,7901.30% Guatemala10,9101.10%10,4201.20%10,7601.30% All other countries376,25038.80%345,77039.40%302,44036.90%

According to the DHS, these fee adjustments are intended to better reflect the agency's expenses in processing and adjudicating naturalization-related applications. The agency is currently accepting public comments for a period of 60 days. These comments will be reviewed before a final rule is implemented.

The move comes at a time when Indians continue to be among the largest groups obtaining U.S. citizenship. According to DHS data, 65,960 Indians were naturalised in FY2022, followed by 59,100 in FY2023 and 49,700 in FY2024. Despite the decline, India remained the second-largest source country for new US citizens in FY2024.

(With inputs from TOI)

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