In a proposed rule published in the May 4 Federal Register, DHS is proposing to raise its fees by an average of 21% to recover the full cost of USCIS operations.
DHS is also proposing to establish a three-level fee for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. First, the standard Form N-400 fee would increase from $595 to $640. Second, DHS would continue to charge no fee to an applicant who meets the requirements of sections 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 with respect to military service and applicants with approved fee waivers. Third, DHS would charge a reduced fee of $320 for naturalization applicants with family income greater than 150 percent and not more than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. DHS is proposing these changes to increase the access to United States citizenship.
To read more about the fee increases proposed by DHS, see the Federal Register notice published on May 4, 2016. DHS invites the public to submit comments on or before July 5, 2016. See www.regulations.gov and search for “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fee Schedule” to submit comments.
Rachel is an intern with the firm and is not a practicing attorney.