Are You Eligible For A USCIS Fee Waiver?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recognizes that some applicants cannot afford to pay immigration filing fees. USCIS has established a fee waiver process for certain forms and services. Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver

USCIS Fee Waiver Eligibility

According to the June 2022 USCIS fee waiver eligibility guidelines, you may qualify for a fee waiver if your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time you file. You must provide documentation to USCIS showing that you qualify based on one of the following criteria:

You, your spouse or the head of household living with you are currently receiving a means-tested benefit.
When you file, your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Check this year’s current Federal Poverty Guidelines at Form I-912P, HHS Poverty Guidelines for Fee Waiver Requests.
You are currently experiencing financial hardship that prevents you from paying the filing fee, including unexpected medical bills or emergencies.

USCIS Forms Eligible for Fee Waiver

You can apply for a fee waiver for the following USCIS forms and services:

Biometric services fee, except for the biometric services fee required for Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, filed under 8 CFR 212.7(e);
Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card;
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, if you are applying for E-2 CNMI investor nonimmigrant status under 8 CFR 214.2(e)(23);
Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, if you are applying for humanitarian parole;
Form I-191, Application for Advance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile;
Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant, but only if you are exempt from the public charge grounds of inadmissibility;
Form I-193, Application for Waiver for Passport and/or Visa, if you are exempt from the public charge grounds of inadmissibility;
Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, if your underlying application was fee exempt, the fee was waived, or it was eligible for a fee waiver;
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, if you are applying for lawful permanent resident status based on:
- An eligibility category that is exempt from the public charge grounds of inadmissibility of section 212(a)(4) of the INA, such as the Cuban Adjustment Act, the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act;
- Continuous residence in the United States since before Jan. 1, 1972 (“Registry”);
- Asylum status; or
- Special Immigrant Juvenile status or similar categories;
Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, if you are applying for any benefit request specified by section 245(l)(7) of the INA or applying for E-2 CNMI investor nonimmigrant status under 8 CFR 214.2(e)(23);
Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, if you are exempt from the public charge grounds of inadmissibility in section 212(a)(4) of the INA;
Form I-694, Notice of Appeal of Decision Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, if your underlying application or petition was fee exempt, the fee was waived, or was eligible for a fee waiver;
Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence;
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, unless you are filing under category (c)(33), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals;
Form I-817, Application for Family Unity Benefits;
Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status;
Form I-881, Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal;
Form N-300, Application to File Declaration of Intention;
Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings;
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization;
Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes;
Form N-565, Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Document;
Form N-600, Application for Certification of Citizenship; and
Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322.

You may also apply for a fee waiver for any application or petition that is related to your status as a:

Battered spouse of an A, G, E-3, or H nonimmigrant (such as Forms I-485, I-601, and I-212);
Battered spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen under INA 240A(b)(2);
T nonimmigrant (such as Forms I-192, I-485, and I-601);
Temporary Protected Status recipient (such as Forms I-131, I-821, and I-601);
U nonimmigrant (such as Forms I-192, I-485, and I-929); or
VAWA self-petitioner (such as Forms I-485, I-601, and I-212).

Form I-912 Filing Tips

Form I-912 must be signed, or it will be rejected.
Use the most current version of the I-912, or it will be rejected.
If you file a fee waiver online, do not also submit a waiver in the mail.
Only write in black ink.
Complete the entire form, or it will be rejected.
You must include a full English translation if any supporting documentation is in a foreign language.
Attach the I-912 and all supporting documentation to the application or petition you are requesting a fee waiver for.
You must submit each completed I-912 and supporting documentation at the same time.

Talk to An Experienced Cook or DuPage County Immigration Lawyer

Immigration law can be confusing, and it changes frequently. A simple mistake, missing document, or missed deadline can result in your application being denied or rejected. It is important to have legal guidance from a knowledgeable attorney. The immigration attorneys at Godoy Law Office in Oak Brook can help you with your immigration case. Contact our office or call us at 630-912-0322.