Home Office Naturalisation Payment Timeline

The Home Office requires full payment for citizenship applications to be made at the time of application. The fee for applying for citizenship is £1,630. If the full fee is not provided, the application will be rejected and refunded minus a £25 administration fee. The Home Office does not accept cash, transcash or postal orders.

Payment methods for naturalisation applications

The payment methods for naturalisation applications vary depending on the country and the specific application process. Here is an overview of the payment methods for naturalisation applications in the UK and the US:

UK:

According to the Gov.uk website, the payment methods for online applications for British citizenship include credit or debit card. For paper form applications, the accepted payment methods are credit or debit card, or cheque. It is important to note that the application fee must be paid in full, along with the biometric data, for the application to be considered valid. The fee for a certificate correction will be requested after the caseworker decides on the appropriate correction.

US:

When applying for naturalisation in the US, the payment methods depend on whether the application is submitted online or by mail. For online applications, applicants can pay the filing fee through their USCIS online account. For mail applications, payment methods include money order, personal check, cashier's check, credit card, or debit card using Form G-1450, Authorisation for Credit Card Transactions. If paying by check, it must be made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is important to note that filing fees are non-refundable, and credit card or debit card payments cannot be disputed.

It is always recommended to refer to the official government websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding payment methods and application procedures for naturalisation.

Payment plans for naturalisation

The cost of applying for British citizenship can be a significant expense, and it is understandable that you might want to pay in instalments. However, the UK government does not offer a payment plan for citizenship applications. The full fee must be paid in full when you submit your application, whether you are applying online or via a paper form.

If you are unable to pay the fee upfront, there are independent organisations that offer interest-free payment plans to help parents fund the cost of citizenship applications for their children. These plans are not loans, but rather payment schemes that allow parents to pay the fee in 12 equal monthly instalments. The payment is then made directly to the Home Office by the organisation administering the payment plan. To be eligible, you must be over 18, have leave to remain in the UK, and be able to afford the monthly instalments, among other criteria.

It is important to note that these payment plans are only for children's citizenship applications. They are not available for adults applying for citizenship. Additionally, they are only offered by a limited number of organisations and may not be widely accessible.

If you are an adult applying for citizenship, you may need to consider other options to finance the application fee, such as using a credit card or exploring other financial resources. It is also worth noting that the fee for a child's citizenship application is separate from the fee for a naturalisation application, and the two should not be confused.

Naturalisation fees

The fees for citizenship applications comprise three elements: the fee for handling and processing an application, the citizenship ceremony fee, and the cost of taking the Life in the UK test. The current total fee for naturalisation, including the citizenship ceremony, is £1,330 for adults and £1,012 for children. The fee for the Life in the UK test is £50.

If you are applying for citizenship, you must pay the fees in full to complete your application. If you are applying online, you will be asked to pay by credit or debit card. If you are applying using a paper form, you must use the payment slip to send your payment by credit or debit card or cheque.

If you are applying for citizenship for a child, you may be eligible for a payment plan to cover the cost. The Citizenship Payment Plan is a social investment scheme that offers interest-free payment plans to be paid in 12 equal monthly instalments. To be eligible, you must be over 18, have leave to remain in the UK, be the parent or guardian of the child, and be able to afford 12 monthly instalments of at least £102.

The cost of naturalisation

UK

The cost of applying for British citizenship is £1,630. This includes the fee for handling and processing the application, as well as the citizenship ceremony fee. The application fee must be paid in full when submitting the application online or via paper form. Biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) is also required but is provided free of charge.

US

The cost of applying for US citizenship ranges from $380 to $760. The standard fee for a paper application (Form N-400) is $760, while the online application fee is $710. Those who qualify for a reduced fee based on income levels pay $380. Active-duty military personnel and veterans are exempt from paying any fees. The biometrics fee is included in the N-400 fee.

It is important to note that additional costs may be incurred during the naturalisation process in both countries, such as legal fees, translation services, and travel expenses.

Payment issues

The Home Office will take payment for naturalisation when you submit your application. The application fee is £1,630, and you can pay by credit or debit card, cheque, money order, personal check, or cashier’s check. You cannot pay in cash, transcash, or postal orders.

If you are applying for citizenship in the US, the application fee is $760 if filing by paper or $710 if filing online. If you are applying for a reduced fee, you will pay $380, and if you are applying for a fee waiver, you will not need to pay anything. You can pay by credit or debit card, money order, personal check, or cashier’s check.

If you are applying for citizenship in the UK, your application will be rejected as invalid if the full fee is not provided. The application will not be considered, and the fee will be refunded less an administration fee of £25. If you are applying for citizenship in the US, filing fees are final and non-refundable, regardless of any action taken on your application.

If you are applying for citizenship in the UK and are paying using a bank or credit account that belongs to someone else, you should give their details on the payment slip in case any refund becomes due. If you are applying for citizenship in the US, you can dispute the payment if you pay by credit or debit card.

If you are submitting multiple forms for US citizenship, you must pay each filing fee separately. If you submit a single, combined payment for multiple forms, your entire package may be rejected.

Frequently asked questions