You can request a completely waived USCIS filing fee using Form I-912 if your income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if you can document financial hardship. USCIS also offers reduced (but not waived) fees for naturalization applicants with income between 150–400% of poverty guidelines through Form N-400, Part 10. Both requests are free to file, but there is a critical recent limitation: fees mandated by H.R.
1 since July 22, 2025, cannot be waived or reduced under any circumstance, though you can still request a waiver for pre-H.R. 1 filing fees in the same request. The process depends on which immigration form you are filing and whether you meet income thresholds or can demonstrate hardship. Knowing these rules before submitting your case prevents rejection and delays.
Table of Contents
- Two Paths to Fee Relief
- How to File Form I-912
- What H.R. 1 Changed
- Coverage and the Biometric Fee
- Timeline and Decision
- Frequently Asked Questions
Two Paths to Fee Relief
Form I-912 provides a complete fee waiver if you meet one of two criteria. First, you can qualify automatically by receiving means-tested benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, SSI, housing vouchers, or other federal, state, or local need-based assistance—no income calculation required. Second, you qualify if your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; for 2026, that threshold is $23,940 annually for one person, with $8,520 added for each additional household member.
If your income falls between 150–400% of the poverty guidelines, you cannot receive a full waiver, but you may request a reduced fee through Form N-400 Part 10 if you are filing for naturalization specifically. This reduced-fee request follows different rules and covers fewer forms than the fee waiver.
How to File Form I-912
Form I-912 must be submitted together with your primary immigration application—it cannot be filed alone or after your main form arrives at USCIS. The form applies to approximately 70+ USCIS forms, including N-400 (naturalization), I-90 (green card renewal), I-765 (work authorization), I-821 (TPS), I-130 (family petition), and many others.
For means-tested benefits, submit copies of your benefit letter, award notice, or other official documentation from the agency proving you receive the benefit. For income-based claims, provide tax returns, pay stubs, or a signed household income statement if official documents are unavailable. For financial hardship claims, you must provide specific, documented evidence—medical bills, job loss notice, eviction warning, or family crisis—with a written explanation of when the hardship began, how long it will last, and its exact dollar impact on your ability to pay. If formal documentation does not exist, an affidavit from a community organization or religious institution that has direct knowledge of your situation can substitute.
What H.R. 1 Changed
On July 22, 2025, Congress passed H.R. 1, which imposed new USCIS fees that cannot be waived or reduced under any circumstance. This does not mean all USCIS fees are now unskippable—it means that specific fees created by this law are not eligible for Form I-912 relief.
However, any fees that existed before H.R. 1 can still be waived or reduced through your I-912 request. Your I-912 will separate which charges qualify for relief and which do not, and you will pay the H.R. 1 mandatory fees while the pre-H.R. 1 fees may be waived.
Coverage and the Biometric Fee
Approving your Form I-912 waives both USCIS filing fees and the $85 biometric services fee automatically—you file one waiver request, not separate ones for each fee type. The same approval applies to all covered fees in your case.
Timeline and Decision
USCIS notifies you in writing of the fee waiver decision, though the agency does not publish a specific processing timeline. Decisions may take several months. While your waiver request is pending, your immigration case may continue to move forward; USCIS does not hold your application waiting for the fee decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a fee waiver cover all USCIS fees?
No. Fees created by H.R. 1 since July 22, 2025, cannot be waived. Your waiver covers pre-H.R. 1 fees only, and H.R. 1 fees will be charged separately.
If I receive SNAP or Medicaid, do I need to submit income documents?
No. Receiving means-tested benefits automatically qualifies you for a full fee waiver without proving income—only submit your benefit letter or award notice.
Can I file Form I-912 after I submit my main immigration form?
No. Form I-912 must arrive together with your primary application. Filing it after your main form is received may result in rejection or delay.
Which immigration forms qualify for fee waivers?
Approximately 70+ forms qualify, including N-400 (naturalization), I-90 (green card renewal), I-765 (work permit), I-821 (TPS), and I-130 (family petition). Check the Form I-912 instructions for the complete list.