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The short answer
The federal fee schedule (8 CFR 106.2, current to 22 October 2026) sets the Form N-400 naturalisation fee at $760, or $380 if your household income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; online filings are $50 lower than the standard fee. A full fee waiver is possible if you meet the inability-to-pay tests. Budget too for documents, travel to appointments, any legal help, and a US passport afterwards.
For many Nigerians in the US, the citizenship application is the last big immigration bill. The fee itself is set in federal regulations, so it is the easy part to pin down. The harder part is the money around it: records from Nigeria, time off work for appointments, and what happens to your Nigerian passport and accounts afterwards. This guide sets out each cost with its source, so you can plan the year you file.
The N-400 fee as the regulation states it
USCIS fees are written into Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The eCFR text of 8 CFR 106.2, shown as up to date on 22 October 2026, lists the following for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization:
| Fee type | Amount (8 CFR 106.2, Oct 2026) | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fee | $760 | Most applicants filing on paper |
| Online filing | $710 ($50 lower, under 8 CFR 106.1(g)) | Where USCIS accepts the form through its online system |
| Reduced fee | $380 | Household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Fee waiver | $0 | Applicants who meet the inability-to-pay tests in 8 CFR 106.3 |
Two details matter. First, the regulation says the online discount does not stack with the reduced fee: a qualifying household pays $380 however it files. Second, the schedule we read does not list a separate biometrics charge for the N-400. USCIS pages online have at times shown older figures, so use the USCIS Fee Calculator on the day you file and pay exactly what it shows.
Do you qualify for the $380 fee?
The 2026 poverty guidelines published by HHS on 15 January 2026 set the base figures. Four times those figures gives the 400% line for the 48 contiguous states and DC:
- Household of 1: $15,960 x 4 = $63,840
- Household of 2: $21,640 x 4 = $86,560
- Household of 4: $33,000 x 4 = $132,000
- Alaska and Hawaii have higher guidelines; use their own column.
A full waiver uses tighter tests. Under 8 CFR 106.3, inability to pay can be shown by household income at or below 150% of the guidelines (for a household of four, $49,500), by receipt of a means-tested benefit at the time of filing, or by extreme financial hardship. Before you use a benefit to qualify, read how benefits can affect immigration applications.
The costs around the fee
The application fee is rarely the whole bill. Budget for these as well:
- Records from Nigeria. If you have any past arrest or court matter, the USCIS Policy Manual says it remains the applicant's responsibility to obtain the records, and foreign convictions count. Our guide to the Nigerian police certificate covers the Nigeria side.
- Translations. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any foreign-language document you submit needs a full certified English translation.
- Time off work. You will attend a biometrics appointment and an interview. Under 8 CFR 335.2, USCIS schedules the interview only after a definitive FBI response on your background check.
- Legal help. Optional, priced by each lawyer or accredited representative. Ask for a fixed fee in writing.
- Certificates for children. If a child needs a Certificate of Citizenship later, Form N-600 is listed at $1,385 in the same schedule.
- A US passport after the oath ceremony, at the State Department's current fee.
A worked example
Example only. Tunde and Bisi, both green card holders in Texas with two children, have household income of $118,000. That is below the $132,000 line for a household of four, so each pays the reduced fee.
| Item | Example cost |
|---|---|
| N-400 reduced fee, two adults | 2 x $380 = $760 |
| Certified translation of a Nigerian document | $60 (example quote) |
| Two unpaid days off each for appointments | $800 (example lost pay) |
| Total to plan for | $1,620 |
Had their income been above the line, the two standard paper fees alone would be 2 x $760 = $1,520. The arithmetic shows why it is worth checking the income test before you post anything.
Good moral character and the money trail
Under 8 CFR 316.10 the applicant carries the burden of showing good moral character during the statutory period, which the Policy Manual says starts five years before filing, or three years for certain spouses of US citizens. In practice, unpaid taxes, missed child support or false statements can become questions at interview. Make sure your tax returns are filed and that any income from Nigeria, such as rent, has been reported. Our guide to reporting Nigerian income as a green card holder explains what the IRS expects.
After the oath: your Nigerian side
The US State Department says US law does not require a citizen to choose one nationality, although US citizens must use a US passport to enter and leave the US. On the Nigerian side, see what Nigerian law says about dual citizenship and what happens to your Nigerian bank account. Update the nationality and ID on your Nigerian accounts so they stay usable.
What to check first
- Your household size and income against the 2026 HHS guidelines.
- The USCIS Fee Calculator figure on the day you file.
- Whether the form can be filed online for your case, which saves $50 at the standard fee.
- Any record from Nigeria or the US you will need to explain.
- Payment method: 8 CFR 106.1 requires payment from a US bank or institution in US currency, and card payments cannot be charged back.
Where Pryme fits
Citizenship often changes how you hold money at home. A Pryme Personal Account can be opened from the US and holds naira and dollars side by side, with Swap converting only when you choose. See multicurrency accounts.
Questions people ask
How much is the N-400 fee in 2026?
The federal fee schedule (8 CFR 106.2, current to 22 October 2026) lists $760 for the standard fee, $50 less online where USCIS accepts online filing, and $380 for households at or below 400% of the poverty guidelines. Confirm with the USCIS Fee Calculator before paying.
Can I get the citizenship fee waived?
Yes, if you meet the tests in 8 CFR 106.3: household income at or below 150% of the poverty guidelines, a means-tested benefit at filing, or extreme financial hardship.
Is there a separate biometrics fee for naturalisation?
The fee schedule we read does not list one for the N-400. The USCIS Fee Calculator will show the total for your case.
Do I lose my Nigerian citizenship if I naturalise in the US?
US law does not make you choose. Nigerian rules on dual citizenship are covered in our separate guide; check them before you travel on a Nigerian passport.
Sources
- eCFR: 8 CFR 106.2, Fees (up to date as of 22 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- eCFR: 8 CFR 106.1, Fee requirements, incl. online filing discount (up to date as of 22 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- eCFR: 8 CFR 106.3, Fee waivers and exemptions (up to date as of 22 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- HHS ASPE: 2026 Poverty Guidelines (Federal Register, 15 Jan 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part F, Chapter 2 · accessed Oct 2026
- eCFR: 8 CFR 103.2, Submission and adjudication of benefit requests (translations, unavailable evidence) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.