The United States government has confirmed that foreigners, including Kenyans, applying for citizenship can request a reduction or full waiver of the application fee when filing Form N-400, the official Application for Naturalisation.
The fee waiver option is crucial as the standard filing cost ranges between KSh 92,000 and KSh 98,000, which may be unaffordable for many applicants.
Key Details on the Fee Waiver Process
- Applicants seeking a fee waiver or reduction must submit a paper Form N-400 by mail; online submissions are not accepted for fee waiver requests.
- The application must be accompanied by the appropriate waiver request form and supporting evidence demonstrating financial hardship.
- This process applies whether the applicant is requesting a partial fee reduction or a full exemption.
What This Means for Kenyan and African Applicants
This waiver provision offers a vital opportunity for eligible candidates facing financial constraints to continue their naturalisation process without the upfront burden of the full fee.
Applicants are advised to prepare all required documentation carefully to avoid delays or complications in processing their requests.
Additional USCIS Guidance
Separately, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued new rules for applicants who miss citizenship appointments, warning that failure to attend without valid reasons may lead to application abandonment. Special exemptions exist for military personnel serving abroad.
