Applying for US citizenship can be a strenuous task, and is common among individuals to get confused over its various requirements. Although anybody can apply for US citizenship and apply with other immigration forms, there are some specific requirements and applicant have to spend a minimum non-refundable amount to apply for the various immigration forms. In this article, we are going to discuss the various immigration forms and their costs.
What is the cost of applying for US citizenship? The application cost varies depending on the type of forms. Filing USCIS Form N-400 costs $725. Submitting USCIS Form I-485 costs $1035. Filing USCIS Form I-90 costs $540. Filling USCIS Form I-130 costs $620. Filing USCIS Form I-129F cost $535 and USCIS Form N-600 cost $1255.
Here are the most common immigration forms that are applied by individuals
01. United States Citizenship (Form N-400)
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- Application fee – $640
- Biometric fee – $85
- Third-party services – Approx. $200
- Total – $725 to $925
- Free for individuals who have served in the Armed Forces of the United Nations.
Form N-400 is an application for Naturalization to become a naturalized U.S. Citizen
Eligibility Requirements
- Should be at least 18 years of age during application
- Permanent resident of the U.S. for a required period of time
- Lived within the state for at least 3 months before filing
- Demonstrated physical presence in the U.S. for a period of time
- Exhibited continuous residence for a period of time
- Displayed good moral character
- Demonstrated adherence to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution.
- Have basic knowledge in the U.S. history and government
- Take an oath of allegiance to the United States
02. Green Card Application (Form I-485)
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- Application of people under 14 who applies with at least one parent – $750
- Application of people under 14 who applies without at least one parent – $1140
- Age 14 to 78 – $1140 + $85 biometric fee = $1225
- Age 79 or older – $1140
- Biometric fee – $85 (Not necessary for some refugees)
- Third-party services – Approx. $200
- Total – $750 to $1225
Form I-485 is the application to register permanent residence or adjust status. It is used by a person in the U.S. to apply for lawful permanent resident status.
Green Card Eligibility Categories
- Green Card through Family
- Green-Card through Employment
- Green Card as a Special Immigrant
- Green-Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
- Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
- Green-Card for Victims of Abuse
- Green Card through Other Categories
- Green-Card through Registry
Green Card Through Family
- Immediate relative of a U.S. citizen
- Other relatives of a U.S. citizen
- Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen or the fiancé(e)’s the child
- An abused spouse of a U.S. citizen
- Abused parent of a U.S. citizen
Green Card Through Employment
- First preference, Second preference, and Third preference Immigrant worker
- A physician who will work in a designated underserved area for a period of time
- Immigrant investor
Green Card as a Special Immigrant
- Religious worker
- Special immigrant juvenile
- Afghan or Iraqi translator for U.S. government
- Afghan employed by ISAF
- Employed by the U.S. government in Iraq
Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
- Were granted asylum status or admitted as a refugee at least 1 year ago
Green Card through Other Categories
- Diversity immigrant visa program
- Cuban native and citizen
- Spouse or child of a permanent resident who received Green Card based on HRIFA
- Lautenberg parolee
- American Indian born in Canada
- A person born in the US to a foreign diplomat
03. Renew or Replace Green Card Application (Form I-90)
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- Application fee – $455
- Biometric fee – $85
- Third-party services – Approx. $150
- Total – $540 to $690
However, you have to file Form I-751 to remove conditions obtained from marriage and Form I-829 for conditions obtained through US business.
04. Petition for Alien Relative Application (Form I-130)
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- Application fee – $535
- Biometric fee – $85
- Third-party services – Approx. $200
- Total – $620 to $820
This petition is for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who want to immigrate alien relative to the United States. You should submit a form I-130A and other necessary information for a spouse beneficiary.
You can file the form for:
- Your spouse
- Unmarried children under 21 years age
- Married children of any age
- Brothers, sisters, and parents if you are 21 years old
04. Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (Form I-129F)
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- Application fee – $535
- Third-party services – Approx. $200
- Total – $535 to $735
This form is to bring your fiancé(e) and his/her children or your spouse and children to the U.S. to get lawful permanent resident status.
05. US Citizenship Replacement Certificate (Form N-565)
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- Application fee – $555
- Biometric fee – $85
- Third-party services – Approx. $200
- Total – $640 to $840
Along with replacement naturalization and citizenship, you can apply for a special certificate of U.S. citizenship to be recognized by a foreign country.
This form is applied incase when the certificate of naturalization or citizenship is lost, stolen, destroyed, has a typographical error, change of name after marriage, change the date of birth, or change gender with legal documents.
06. US Certificate of Citizenship Application (Form N-600)
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- Application fee – $1170
- Biometric fee – $85
- Third-party services – Approx. $200
- Total – $1255 to $1455
You can apply this form if you are the biological child of a U.S. citizen, born outside the United States. Parents can file this form for their minor child. An adopted child may also acquire citizenship with the Form N-600 but not step children.
07. Application to Remove Condition on Green Card (Form I-751)
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- Application fee – $595
- Biometric fee – $85
- Third-party services – Approx. $200
- Total – $680 to $880
The form is applied by conditional residents to remove the condition on their residence.
08. Special Immigrant (Form I-360)
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- Application fee – $435 or Free, depending on the applicant
- Total – $435 or Free, depending on the applicant
The form will help classify an alien as an Amerasian, widow(er) of a U.S. citizen, abused children of a U.S. citizen, abused parent of a U.S. citizen. The special immigrant also applies to:
- Religious worker
- An employee of the Panama Canal Company
- NATO-6 employee or family member
- Afghan and Iraqi people who have worked for the U.S. government
- U.S. armed forces members
09. Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur (Form I-526)
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- Application fee – $3675
- Third-party services – Approx. $300
- Total – $3675 to $3975
This form enables the entrepreneur to petition for immigrant status to the U.S. One can apply for the status if they will engage in a managerial position in a company. Moreover, they will benefit the U.S. economy, and create full-time employment for at least 10 U.S. citizens.
10. Application for Citizenship and Issue Certificate Under Section 322 (Form N-600K)
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- Application fee – $1170
- Third-party services – Approx. $200
- Total – $1170 to $1370
This form is applied by children of U.S. citizens who reside outside the U.S. The U.S. citizen parent can apply on behalf of a foreign-born child if the parents are the legal custodian of a biological or adopted child under age 18. U.S citizen grandparent or legal guardian can file for the child whos U.S. citizen parents have died.
Related Questions
What is the Difference Between USCIS Form N-600 and N-400? If you are not a U.S. citizen but want to become one then you apply for Form N-400. N-600 is for U.S. citizens who need a certificate as proof.
How Much Time Does it Take to Become U.S. Citizen? To become a U.S. citizen, you first have to become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder). You may apply for citizenship after 5 years of being a Green Card holder.
Do You Need Lawyer to Apply for U.S. Citizenship? No, you can apply for all USCIS forms on your own but you may take assistance from third-party services that are EOIR-accredited.
Conclusion
The cost mentioned above is pretty accurate depending on the USCIS form. However, it should be noted that they are non-refundable even if you withdraw your application or your application is denied. That’s not all, in some special cases, the USCIS waves all application fees, which you have to get confirmed from the USCIS official website. It is also worth noting that acquiring citizenship and Green Card is a pretty tough process that requires a comprehensive set of proof, identification and eligibility. We suggest applicants review the official website of USCIS for more accurate information.
