USCIS Fee Waiver Guide (Form I-912)
Complete guide to qualifying for USCIS fee waivers, including eligibility criteria, income guidelines, required documentation, and application procedures.
2025 Fee Updates
USCIS fees increased significantly in 2025 under H.R. 1 provisions. Fee waivers can provide substantial savings, with some applications costing over $1,400. Ensure you meet eligibility criteria and provide complete documentation for best chances of approval.
Eligibility Criteria
USCIS will grant fee waivers to applicants who demonstrate financial inability to pay filing fees. You must meet one of three criteria to qualify for a fee waiver.
Fee Waiver Eligibility Requirements (Must Meet One)
- Receipt of means-tested benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, etc.)
- Household income at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Financial hardship preventing payment of filing fee
Means-Tested Benefits
Qualifying Government Benefits Programs
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- General Assistance
- State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- Free or reduced-price school lunch
Automatic Qualification
If you or anyone in your household currently receives any of these benefits, you automatically qualify for a fee waiver. Simply provide evidence of current benefit receipt with your application.
2025 Income Guidelines
Federal Poverty Guidelines (150% Threshold for Fee Waiver)
- 1 person household: $22,590 (150% = $33,885)
- 2 person household: $30,660 (150% = $45,990)
- 3 person household: $38,730 (150% = $58,095)
- 4 person household: $46,800 (150% = $70,200)
- 5 person household: $54,870 (150% = $82,305)
- 6 person household: $62,940 (150% = $94,410)
- 7 person household: $71,010 (150% = $106,515)
- 8 person household: $79,080 (150% = $118,620)
- Each additional person: Add $8,070 (150% = $12,105)
Income Calculation
- • Include all household members
- • Count all sources of income
- • Use gross income (before taxes)
- • Include spouse's income if married
- • Include children's income if living together
Household Size
- • You and your spouse (if married)
- • Your unmarried children under 21
- • Other dependents you claim on taxes
- • Anyone whose income you include
- • People you support financially
Financial Hardship
If you don't qualify based on benefits or income, you may still qualify by demonstrating that paying the filing fee would create financial hardship due to extraordinary circumstances.
Qualifying Financial Hardship Circumstances
- Unexpected medical expenses or serious illness
- Recent unemployment or significant reduction in income
- Disability preventing employment
- Caring for disabled family members without compensation
- Recent natural disaster affecting finances
- Victim of crime affecting ability to work
- Other extraordinary circumstances beyond your control
Documenting Financial Hardship
- • Provide detailed written explanation of circumstances
- • Include supporting documentation (medical bills, lay-off notices, etc.)
- • Show how paying the fee would prevent meeting basic needs
- • Explain why borrowing money or using assets is not feasible
- • Demonstrate temporary nature of hardship if applicable
Eligible Forms and Fees (2025)
Forms Eligible for Fee Waiver with Current Fees
- Form I-90 (Replace Permanent Resident Card) - $455
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) - $625
- Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) - $630
- Form I-140 (Petition for Alien Worker) - $715
- Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) - $1,440
- Form I-539 (Application to Change/Extend Status) - $420
- Form I-601 (Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility) - $1,020
- Form I-601A (Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver) - $715
- Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions) - $760
- Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) - $555
- Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) - No Fee
- Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) - $760
- Form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) - $1,385
Forms NOT Eligible for Fee Waiver
- • Premium Processing fees
- • Biometric services fees (included in application fees)
- • Certain asylum-related applications
- • Some employment-based petitions filed by employers
- • Administrative appeals (some exceptions apply)
Application Process
Fee Waiver Application Process
Determine Eligibility
Confirm you meet one of the three fee waiver criteria based on benefits, income, or hardship
Complete Form I-912
Fill out fee waiver request with accurate financial information and supporting evidence
Gather Documentation
Collect all required financial documents and evidence of qualifying circumstances
Submit Together
Submit Form I-912 together with your underlying immigration application
Response to RFE
Respond promptly to any Request for Evidence regarding fee waiver eligibility
Decision Processing
USCIS reviews and decides on fee waiver before processing underlying application
Submission Requirements
- • Submit Form I-912 together with underlying immigration application
- • Do not submit Form I-912 separately or in advance
- • USCIS processes fee waiver first before underlying application
- • If fee waiver is denied, you must pay the fee to continue processing
Required Documentation
Required Supporting Documents
- Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver)
- Evidence of qualifying benefits or income
- Tax returns or transcripts for previous year
- Pay stubs from last 6 months
- Bank statements from last 6 months
- Unemployment benefits documentation
- Social Security benefits statements
- Disability income documentation
- Child support or alimony documentation
- Affidavit of support from sponsor (if applicable)
For Means-Tested Benefits
- • Current benefit award letters
- • EBT card or Medicaid card copies
- • State agency determination letters
- • Social Services case number documentation
For Income-Based Eligibility
- • Most recent federal tax return or transcript
- • Pay stubs from last 6 months
- • Bank statements from last 3-6 months
- • Unemployment compensation statements
- • Social Security or disability benefit letters
For Financial Hardship
- • Medical bills and treatment records
- • Termination or lay-off notices
- • Insurance claim documentation
- • Detailed personal statement explaining circumstances
- • Supporting statements from family or employers
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frequent Fee Waiver Application Errors
- Incomplete financial information on Form I-912
- Missing supporting documentation
- Failing to include all household income sources
- Not updating information if circumstances change
- Submitting fee waiver separately from underlying application
- Providing outdated or expired documents
- Inconsistent information across documents
Tips for Success
- • Double-check all calculations and dates
- • Provide clear, legible copies of documents
- • Include cover letter explaining your situation
- • Respond quickly to any RFEs
- • Keep copies of everything you submit
Red Flags to Avoid
- • Inconsistent financial information
- • Missing signatures or dates on forms
- • Outdated supporting documents
- • Incomplete income reporting
- • Failing to disclose assets or resources
Special Situations
Family-Based Applications
- • Petitioner and beneficiary can each request fee waivers
- • Include household information for person requesting waiver
- • Sponsor's income affects beneficiary's eligibility
- • Consider joint sponsor financial situation if applicable
Asylum-Based Applications
- • Asylees and refugees often qualify due to limited work authorization
- • Include asylum grant or refugee admission documentation
- • Document gaps in employment due to status restrictions
- • Consider impact of trauma on ability to earn income
Elderly or Disabled Applicants
- • Fixed income situations often qualify for fee waivers
- • Include Social Security or disability benefit statements
- • Document medical expenses that impact finances
- • Consider caregiver expenses and reduced earning capacity
After Submitting Your Request
If Fee Waiver is Approved
- • USCIS processes underlying application without fee payment
- • Continue monitoring case status for updates
- • Respond to any additional requests for evidence
- • Approval notice will confirm waiver grant
If Fee Waiver is Denied
- • You have 30 days to pay the filing fee
- • Case will be rejected if fee not paid within deadline
- • You can refile with fee payment and new evidence
- • Consider appealing denial with additional documentation
Processing Timeline
- • Fee waiver decision: 30-90 days typically
- • USCIS may request additional evidence before deciding
- • Underlying application processing begins after fee waiver approval
- • Total case processing time may be longer due to fee waiver review
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a fee waiver if I'm employed but have low income?
Yes, if your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you may qualify regardless of employment status. Include all pay stubs and tax information to demonstrate your income level.
What if my income fluctuates or I have irregular employment?
Provide documentation of all income sources over the past 12 months, including pay stubs, tax returns, and a detailed explanation of your employment situation. USCIS will consider your overall financial circumstances.
Do I need to include my spouse's income if we file taxes separately?
Yes, you must include your spouse's income in the household calculation regardless of how you file taxes. USCIS considers total household resources when determining eligibility.
Can I request a fee waiver if I have savings or assets?
Having some savings doesn't automatically disqualify you, but USCIS will consider all financial resources. You may still qualify if your income meets guidelines or if using assets would create hardship for basic needs.
Fee Waiver Success Tips
Fee waivers can save hundreds or thousands of dollars in USCIS fees. Follow these best practices to maximize your chances of approval:
Documentation Strategy:
- • Provide more evidence than minimum required
- • Organize documents chronologically
- • Include cover letter explaining circumstances
- • Translate foreign documents properly
Application Strategy:
- • Complete Form I-912 thoroughly and accurately
- • Submit with underlying application, not separately
- • Respond quickly to any RFEs
- • Keep detailed records of all submissions