US Proposes Increase in Naturalization Fees to Rp24 Million

JAKARTA - The United States (US) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed increasing the cost of citizenship applications by about 75 percent from 760 US dollars (Rp13.5 million) to 1,330 US dollars (Rp24 million), according to a record published in the Federal Register.

"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to adjust the fees charged by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for Forms N-400, and Form N-336, to end the fee reduction option for Form N-400, and the availability of fee waivers for both forms," according to the document. reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Tuesday, June 23.

Applicants for Form N-400 (green card holders) will be required to pay $1,330 (Rp24 million) for manual submission and $1,280 (Rp23 million) if they apply online.

The fee for Form N-336 (petitioners who have been denied naturalization in the past) is set at $1,475 (Rp26 million) for manual submission and $1,425 (Rp25 million) for online submission, according to the record.

The proposed changes would affect hundreds of thousands of legal permanent residents each year, potentially delaying the naturalization of low-income immigrants, Newsweek reported Monday.

"This proposal represents a significant shift in the cost of becoming a US citizen... a substantial increase in the cost of naturalization risks turning citizenship into a less affordable benefit for low-income people," a former DHS official told Newsweek.

Earlier this month, the US State Department said it would offer expedited interview appointments for tourist and business visa seekers by paying an additional fee of US$750 (Rp13 million).

In May, the US took a new approach to granting residency permits in the country, which is now only granted in exceptional circumstances, said the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).