Fast-Track to U.S. Citizenship: New Policy Drastically Shortens Naturalization Wait Times

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, many immigrants planning to become U.S. citizens will face higher filing costs as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implements its first inflation-linked adjustment under H.R. 1. The Federal Register notice, released Nov. 20, 2025, raises several key fees, including the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) charges, by roughly 2 percent; additional increases are expected every fiscal year. Although the N-400 Application for Naturalization fee itself remains $760 on paper ($710 online), the surrounding costs of maintaining lawful status—such as EAD renewals and travel documents—mean many green-card holders are speeding up their citizenship plans before further hikes arrive. Immigration attorneys report a 17 percent surge in naturalization consultations since the notice posted, driven largely by long-term permanent residents who postponed filing during pandemic backlogs. Why applying sooner may save money and time 1. Rolling fee adjustments: USCIS now has authority to update select fees every two years, so today’s “grandfathered” rates could disappear by the time an applicant is ready for ancillary benefits such as reentry permits. 2. Shrinking biometrics backlog: Agency data show median naturalization processing times falling from 11.5 months in 2023 to 7.3 months in mid-2025, but experts warn that a late-2026 surge could slow adjudications again. 3. Election-year demand: Historically, naturalization filings spike in presidential election years (900,000+ in 2020). Filing in 2026 allows applicants to become citizens—and voters—before 2028, while possibly avoiding the crunch. Key eligibility reminders for U.S. citizenship in 2026 • Five years of continuous residence (three if married to a U.S. citizen). • At least 30 months of physical presence in that period. • Good-moral-character review—recent DUI or tax issues can delay approval. • English and civics test, now offered with 128 standardized questions; study materials are free on USCIS.gov. • Selective Service registration evidence for males who lived in the U.S. between ages 18-26. Fee-saving tips • File the N-400 online to save $50. • Combine N-400 with a supporting Form I-90 green-card renewal if the card expires within six months, avoiding a separate $465 I-90 fee. • Check income-based fee-waiver Form I-912: households under 150 percent of the federal poverty line may still qualify for a $0 naturalization filing. What happens after you file 1. Biometrics appointment (some applicants now get biometrics reused). 2. Naturalization interview and same-day civics/English exam. 3. Oath ceremony—often scheduled within weeks of approval—where you receive a Certificate of Naturalization and can immediately apply for a U.S. passport. Bottom line With incremental fee increases locked in and processing times stabilizing, 2026 is shaping up as a smart window for eligible permanent residents to lock in current costs and become U.S. citizens before the next wave of demand. Begin gathering documentation, review the updated 2026 fee table, and file online to maximize savings and speed.