Payment Guide for USCIS Citizenship Application

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

USCIS, the government agency that administers lawful immigration to the United States, collects fees from applicants to fund the cost of processing those applications. Use the following guide to explore your possible costs and payment options. The USCIS citizenship application fee is often the last step people think about. Whether you are nearly finished with submitting your application for citizenship or just beginning the naturalization process, it is never too early to think about how much you will have to pay in fees and how to pay them. Any mistakes in your application, documents submitted, or fees paid may result in USCIS refusing to process your application. If this happens, you will need to apply again, pay again, and wait again, because USCIS does not guarantee refunds.

Use the following USCIS application payment guide to explore your possible costs and payment options.

Free Resources to Determine USCIS Fees

Your total fee amount will vary from other people's because every case is individual. It is very important to know the correct fee amount for your application. It typically costs $380-$760 to apply for citizenship through the N-400, but remember that every case is different and to verify through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service resources. 

 If you choose to submit your Form N-400 online, you can make your payment electronically. If you prefer to submit your Form N-400 by mail (on paper), you can pay the fee using a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check. Alternatively, you can pay by credit card using Form G-1450, authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If paying by check, ensure it is made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

• USCIS has a helpful calculator to confirm what fee you have to pay based on the application forms you need to submit: USCIS Fee Calculator (uscis.gov).
• Find a free resource to help you complete your application and determine your fee. This can be a lawyer or a nonprofit organization offering free services. It is highly recommended to have someone with experience help you fill your application or review your application and confirm your fee amount to make sure there are no mistakes. OPA has an online list of free resources you can use to start your search: Naturalization Resources.

USCIS Application Fee Exemption, Waiver, Reduction

Know your options for getting an exemption, waiver or reduction. If you are denied a reduction or waiver, the payment you submitted for the N-400 will be incorrect. If this happens, the application will be sent back to you to resubmit with the correct fee payment and there is no guarantee your original payment will be refunded.

⇒ APPLICATION FEE EXEMPTION

The following people do NOT have to pay a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fee:

• Use form N-600 to acquire Citizenship, they do not use N-400
• If you are active-duty military or a veteran filing under section 328 or 329 of the INA, your N-400 application is free. 

⇒ APPLICATION FEE WAIVER

Find out if you qualify for a fee reduction or waiver before applying: Additional Information on Filing a Fee Waiver

• Waiver and reduction requests require the N-400 to be filed by mail only
• The additional documentation requested for a waiver or reduction must be reviewed and approved by USCIS before they process the N-400 application
• Also, pay taxes on time! If you owe taxes, make sure you are complying with a payment plan before applying or your application may be affected

You can request an application fee waiver if:

• The form you are filing is eligible for a USCIS application fee waiver (See the list available on the Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver web page or the regulations at 8 CFR 103.7(c)(3))

AND

• You provide documentation showing that you qualify based on:
• You, your spouse, or the head of household living with you, are currently receiving a “means-tested benefit” or government support, like Medicaid, SNAP, or Social Security Income
• Your household income is at, or below, 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines: 2022 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Fee Waiver Request
• You are currently experiencing financial hardship that prevents you from paying the filing fee, such as unexpected medical bills or an emergency 

⇒ APPLICATION FEE REDUCTION

You can request a fee reduction:

• If your household income is at, or below, 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines: 2022 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Fee Waiver Request

   

Options for USCIS Application Fee Payment

Using personal savings, personal credit cards, family or friend loans, or OPA's 1% interest loan specifically for USCIS fees are your options. You should always consider high-interest credit or “pay-day-loans" as a last option, these have the highest interest and strict repayment guidelines that can keep you in debt longer.

OPA's mission is to reduce the financial barriers to citizenship. This means that if you get our maximum loan available of $1,500 your interest will be $15. As a community lender, the funds we collect are used to make more loans. Every time an immigrant takes out a loan and repays it, another immigrant can get a loan next.

Some facts about the OPA 1% Interest Loan: 

• It takes 10 minutes to apply and get approved online
• The loan can only be used to pay for USCIS fees; OPA provides you with a check that is already dated and addressed to USCIS for you to mail with your application
• No credit requirements
• No late or hidden fees
• 1 year repayment plan
• Dedicated community support

⇒ CREDIT OR BANK

For online applications you can use:

• Credit card or debit card with a MasterCard or Visa logo, or pre-paid debit card (such as a Visa gift card). If you pay with a pre-paid debit card, you may use only one card. The card must have enough money on it to pay
• U.S. bank account, with an Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment. You must provide a U.S. checking account number and routing number for your U.S. bank with enough money on it to pay

 For paper applications you will need this information for your check or money order:

• A-Number (the letter “A” followed by 8 or 9 numbers)
• DOS Case ID (3 letters followed by 9 or 10 numbers) 

May the advice in this guide make your application process easy and fast. Don't forget that 90% of citizenship applications are accepted, you can do this!

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

The information provided on www.onepercentforamerica.org is intended for general informational purposes only. It should not be considered as professional advice or a substitute for seeking professional guidance.