Fill out I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) online
Form I-912 is used to request a fee waiver for certain USCIS immigration applications and petitions. If approved, USCIS waives the filing fee based on the applicant demonstrating inability to pay. Not all forms are eligible for a fee waiver.
How to fill out I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver)
Determine fee waiver eligibility
Check that the form you are filing is eligible for a fee waiver. Review the three qualifying bases: (1) receiving a means-tested benefit, (2) household income at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, or (3) financial hardship.
Select your qualifying basis
Choose the basis that applies to you. If you receive a means-tested benefit (Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, TANF), check that box and provide proof. If using income, calculate your household size and income. If claiming hardship, prepare to explain your circumstances.
Gather supporting evidence
For means-tested benefits: include benefit approval letters. For income: include tax returns, pay stubs, or a letter from your employer. For hardship: include evidence of medical bills, unexpected expenses, or other financial difficulties.
Submit with your application
Complete the I-912, attach your supporting evidence, and include it with the underlying application or petition. Do not include a filing fee if you are requesting a waiver. USCIS will adjudicate the fee waiver request first.
About I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver)
Who needs this form
Applicants who cannot afford to pay the USCIS filing fee and are filing a form that is eligible for a fee waiver. Eligibility is based on receiving a means-tested benefit, household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or financial hardship.
Where to submit
Submit with the underlying application or petition for which you are requesting the fee waiver. Mail everything together to the same USCIS address. Do not file the I-912 separately.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing a fee waiver for a form that is not eligible (check USCIS fee waiver policy for eligible forms)
- Not providing sufficient documentation of financial need
- Submitting the I-912 separately instead of with the underlying application
- Not including evidence for at least one of the three qualifying bases (means-tested benefit, income, or hardship)
Frequently asked questions
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What happens if my fee waiver is denied?
If USCIS denies your fee waiver request, they will return your entire application package without processing it. You will receive a notice explaining why the fee waiver was denied. You can then resubmit the application with the required filing fee, or submit a new fee waiver request with additional or stronger evidence of your inability to pay.
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