Am I Eligible for a Citizenship Fee Waiver or Reduction?

[Note: This article has been updated to reflect the USCIS fee changes as of April 1st, 2024.] 

Am I Eligible for a Fee Waiver or Reduction?

Do you know that citizenship application fees can be reduced or even eliminated? Each year on average, 83% of requests for filing fee reductions, like the fee waiver N-400 are approved.

Also, 20% of approved citizenship applications have a fee waiver. We encourage you to explore whether you are eligible for a citizenship application to request a fee waiver or reduction and whether applying for one is the right choice for you.

Application Fees for U.S. Citizenship Are $760

It typically costs $380-$760 for an additional person to apply for U.S. citizenship. There is no longer a separate biometrics fee, so you only pay one fee per application.

• If you are active-duty military or a veteran, your application is free.

How to Save on Your U.S. Citizenship Application 

When you submit your citizenship application, you can also submit a request for a fee waiver or a fee reduction. If approved for a waiver, your reduced fee for the application will be $0. If approved for a reduction, you will pay $380 for your application. Remember, 83% of requests for U.S. citizenship application fee reductions are approved. Also, 20% of approved citizenship applications include a fee waiver. Achieving savings on your application process is very possible.

Consider Additional Processing Times to the Application Process

USCIS application processing time can increase by several months when a fee waiver request, or reduction request is included. This is not because the government de-prioritizes these applications, but because this documentation adds a few additional steps to the process including:

• Waiver and reduction requests require the N-400 (download new N-400 form from USCIS)* to be filed by mail instead of online.
• The additional documentation must be reviewed and approved by USCIS before they process the N-400 application. 
• If you are denied a reduction or waiver, the payment you submitted for the N-400 will be incorrect. In this case, the application will be sent back to you. You will have to start over and resubmit with the correct fee amount.

Are You Eligible for a U.S. Citizenship Application Fee Reduction or Waiver?

To qualify for a fee waiver, you must demonstrate one of the following:

• Your total annual household income is at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Check to see the level of your income.
• You have significant financial hardship, such as medical expenses or unemployment. 
• You are receiving a public benefit based on income and resources that USCIS includes in its eligibility criteria, such as Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), TANF, housing assistance or SSI.

To apply for a fee waiver, you need to file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) with supporting material at the same time as you file Form N-400 with supporting documents. You do not need to submit the fees associated with Form N-400. 

To qualify for a fee reduction, you must show that:

• Your total annual household income is at or between 150% or 400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time you file. Find out whether your income level meets the criteria.

To apply for an application fee reduction, you need to complete part 10 of the new N-400 form (download from USCIS) and include supporting documents, and then mail your application with the appropriate reduced filing fees. The total will be $380.

Please note: You must submit your N-400 application via paper (mail) to apply for a reduced fee or the fee waiver option. These options are not currently being accepted with online applications. 

You will need to supply a copy of last year's income tax return, a paycheck stub, or a letter verifying income as part of your supporting documentation for a reduction request or a waiver request based on your household size or income.

Is Filing a Request for a Waiver or Reduction the Right Choice?

If you don't qualify for a fee waiver or reduction but coming up with the full amount is difficult for you, you may want to consider financing your citizenship application fees. For some applicants, financing is a better choice to help speed up the process. Financing also helps you build good credit. Good credit can provide significant savings when you finance future goals such as buying a car or a house.

We advise you to think carefully about what choice is right for you. Consult a nonprofit provider for information about fee waiver or reduction requests. Also, explore options such as OPA's low-interest loan if you decide to consider financing. Don't forget to learn more about the benefits of borrowing. Additionally, don't let cost and time considerations hold you back from seeking citizenship!

If you are not eligible for a fee waiver or reduction for your U.S. citizenship application costs, a One Percent for America loan will allow you to submit your application immediately. Learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for citizenship fee waiver?

To qualify for a fee waiver, you must demonstrate one of the following:

• Your total annual household income is at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• You have significant financial hardship, such as medical expenses or unemployment.
• You are receiving a public benefit based on income and resources that USCIS includes in its eligibility criteria, such as Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), TANF, housing assistance, or SSI.

How to Apply for Free Citizenship?

To apply for a fee waiver, you need to file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) with supporting material via paper (mail) at the same time as you file Form N-400 with supporting documents. You do not need to submit the fees associated with Form N-400. 

What are the N-400 Application Fees?

The application fees for U.S. Citizenship are $760 but $710 if you file online. This cost includes the biometric services fee. There is no longer a separate biometric services fee. If you are active-duty military or a veteran, your application is free.

How can I save on my U.S. Citizenship Application?

When you submit your citizenship application, you can also submit a request for a fee waiver or reduction. If approved for a waiver, your application fee will be $0. If approved for a reduction, you will pay $380 for your application,

What are the eligibility criteria for a U.S. Citizenship Application Fee Reduction?

To qualify for a fee reduction, you must show that your total annual household income is at or between 150% and 400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time you file. To apply for an application fee reduction, complete part 10 of a new N-400 form and include supporting documents, and mail your application with the appropriate reduced filing fees. The total will be $380.

*Starting June 3, USCIS will accept only the new (04/01/24 edition) of N-400. Until then, you can also use the 09/17/19 E and 09/17/19 editions. You can find the edition of your form at the top left corner of the form. 

Note: This article has been updated to reflect the USCIS fee changes as of April 1st, 2024.