Pennsylvania USCIS
Fee Calculator

Pennsylvania residents file immigration applications with USCIS and are typically served by the Philadelphia (also Pittsburgh) Field Office. Pennsylvania has two field offices.

Philadelphia has a large Latinx and Caribbean community. Pittsburgh has a growing South Asian tech community alongside established Eastern European immigrant populations.

USCIS fees are set by federal law and apply uniformly across all states. However, processing times, interview wait times, and the availability of local USCIS offices vary significantly by state and can affect your overall timeline and experience.

The most common USCIS applications filed by Pennsylvania residents include: N-400 (naturalization/citizenship), I-485 (adjustment of status to permanent resident), I-130 (petition for family members), I-765 (employment authorization), and I-131 (advance parole/travel document).

Pennsylvania does not mandate E-Verify for all private employers; state agencies and contractors must use E-Verify. Pennsylvania does not issue driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

Pennsylvania does not offer in-state tuition to undocumented students — Pennsylvania law does not provide this benefit. Pennsylvania law enforcement cooperation with ICE varies by county — Philadelphia maintains sanctuary policies; other counties cooperate more broadly.

Pennsylvania does not have a formal state Office for New Americans, but Philadelphia's Office of Immigrant Affairs is one of the most active municipal immigration offices in the country. HIAS Pennsylvania, Community Legal Services, and Philadelphia Legal Assistance provide substantial immigration legal aid.

Naturalization (Form N-400) applicants in Pennsylvania currently wait approximately 10 months for an interview at the Philadelphia (also Pittsburgh) Field Office. This includes the time from filing to receiving your interview notice.

After the interview, the oath ceremony typically follows within 1–3 months.

Adjustment of status (Form I-485) applicants in Pennsylvania can expect approximately 15 months from filing to interview. This varies significantly based on your priority date (for family and employment categories) and current USCIS workload at the Philadelphia (also Pittsburgh) office.

Processing times are updated regularly on the USCIS website. If your case has exceeded the posted processing time, you may submit a service request through your USCIS online account.

In urgent situations (impending naturalization ceremony for military deployment, medical emergency), expedited processing may be requested.

• USCIS fees are uniform nationally regardless of your Pennsylvania residence. As of 2024, key fees include: N-400 (Naturalization) — $760 online / $950 paper (fee waiver available for qualifying low-income applicants)
• I-485 (Adjustment of Status) — $1,440 for applicants age 14–78 (includes biometrics)
• I-130 (Family Petition) — $675
• I-765 (Employment Authorization) — $520
• I-131 (Travel Document) — $630.

Biometrics fees are now bundled into most primary application fees. Filing fees paid to USCIS are generally not reimbursable, even if the application is denied.

Use the USCIS fee calculator on the USCIS website to determine the exact fees for your specific application combination.

Fee waivers are available for many applications for applicants who receive means-tested benefits or whose household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Immigration attorneys in Pennsylvania can help determine if you qualify and assist with the waiver request.

Approximately 7.3% of Pennsylvania's population is foreign-born — near the national average of 13.9%. The largest immigrant group originates from India.

Pennsylvania's immigrant community contributes significantly to the state's economy. Immigrant workers are disproportionately represented in healthcare, agriculture, technology, construction, and hospitality sectors.

Many immigrants in Pennsylvania are LPRs (lawful permanent residents) pursuing naturalization, while others are on work visas or seeking family reunification.

Pennsylvania has state laws that generally align with federal immigration enforcement standards. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation and Pennsylvania law.

Immigration law is complex and mistakes on USCIS applications can have serious consequences, including denial, delays, and in some cases, removal proceedings. An experienced immigration attorney in Pennsylvania can review your application for completeness, advise on potential issues, prepare you for your interview, and represent you if problems arise.

To find a qualified immigration attorney in Pennsylvania, search our attorney directory, contact the Pennsylvania State Bar Association's referral service, or use the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) attorney finder. Nonprofit legal aid organizations in Pennsylvania may offer free or low-cost immigration services for qualifying individuals.

Be cautious of notarios and unauthorized immigration consultants who may charge fees but cannot provide legal advice. Only licensed attorneys or accredited representatives can provide legal immigration services in Pennsylvania.

Unauthorized practice of immigration law is a federal crime.

• To become a U.S. citizen through naturalization in Pennsylvania, you must: (1) be a Lawful Permanent Resident for 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
• (2) have continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S.
• (3) be a resident of Pennsylvania for 3 months before filing
• (4) demonstrate good moral character
• (5) pass English language and civics tests
• and (6) take the Oath of Allegiance.

The civics test consists of 10 questions selected from 100 official questions about U.S. history and government.

You must answer 6 of 10 correctly. Free study materials are available on the USCIS website, and many public libraries and community organizations in Pennsylvania offer free citizenship preparation classes.

After your N-400 interview at the Philadelphia (also Pittsburgh) office, if approved, you will be scheduled for an Oath of Allegiance ceremony. In Pennsylvania, these ceremonies are held periodically at federal courts and USCIS field offices.

The ceremony is a meaningful milestone — bring family and be prepared to surrender your permanent resident card.

Immigration legal fees are just one component of the cost picture. If you are also dealing with a personal injury claim while navigating immigration status, the Pennsylvania Personal Injury Settlement Estimator estimates settlement value and can help you understand whether to pursue a claim.

For immigrants who have been in the U.S. workforce and may have unpaid wage claims, the Pennsylvania Overtime Pay Calculator calculates back-pay amounts owed under federal law — undocumented workers retain FLSA rights.

And if you need to understand deadlines for any civil claim, the Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations Lookup covers the key filing windows by cause of action.