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Official form guide
Form I-912: Request for Fee Waiver
Form I-912 requests a waiver of USCIS application fees for individuals who cannot afford to pay them. It should be submitted when required fees would cause financial hardship.
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USCIS Form I-912 - Request for Fee Waiver
Form I-912 requests a waiver of USCIS application fees for individuals who cannot afford to pay them. It should be submitted when required fees would cause financial hardship.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Fee waiver requests without proper documentation will be denied automatically.
- 2Incomplete financial documentation
- 3Missing hardship explanation
- 4Form not submitted with primary application
- 5Incorrect fee waiver eligibility assessment
Plain English
The Form I-912 asks USCIS to waive your application fees because you can't afford them. You'll need to show proof of your financial situation to qualify for the fee waiver.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit this form at the same time as your immigration application or petition, or as soon as you realize you cannot pay the required fees.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you cannot afford required USCIS application fees
- Do not use this form if you can pay the fees or qualify for other fee exemptions
- Check Form I-912 instructions for specific fee waiver eligibility criteria
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Low income but can pay partial fees
USCIS may allow partial fee waivers
✓ Check if partial payment option is available
Medical condition causing financial hardship
Medical costs can qualify as financial hardship
✓ Include all relevant medical bills
Victim of certain crimes
Special provisions for crime victims
✓ Obtain proper certification from authorities
Deadline or filing window
There is no specific deadline for filing Form I-912, but it should be submitted as early as possible with your application or as soon as you realize you cannot pay the fees. Submitting late may delay your case processing.
- —Monthly income | Divide annual income by 12 | Monthly income amount | Must be below poverty guidelines
- —Household size | Count all dependents | Total household members | Affects poverty threshold calculation
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Section 1 - Personal information
Government-issued ID · Driver's license or passport
Section 2 - Financial information
Tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements · Financial records from past 6 months
Hardship explanation
Detailed written statement · Personal letter or affidavit
Proof of public benefits
Benefit award letters · Government agencies
Affidavit of support
Signed statements from third parties · Personal correspondence
Before you submit
- 1Verify you're using the latest edition of Form I-912
- 2Complete all sections of the form
- 3Include detailed explanation of financial hardship
- 4Attach all required financial documentation
- 5Ensure form is properly signed and dated
- 6Make a copy of the complete package for your records
- 7Check that all documents are clear and legible
- 8Verify the correct filing address for your case type
How to file this form
- 1Obtain the latest Form I-912 from the USCIS website
- 2Complete Sections 1 and 2 with accurate personal and financial information
- 3Write a detailed explanation of your financial hardship in the space provided
- 4Gather supporting documents proving your financial situation
- 5Submit with your main application or separately to the correct USCIS address
- 6Keep a complete copy of everything you submit
Known limitations
- 1Fee waiver approval is not guaranteed even with proper documentation
- 2Certain application types may have different fee waiver requirements
- 3USCIS may request additional information not initially provided
- 4Approval decisions are made at USCIS discretion
- 5Fee waivers do not apply to all USCIS fees equally
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant Info
3 items
Your current legal name.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.
Details
1 items
The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents supporting this application.
Signatures
2 items
Sign under penalty of perjury.
MM/DD/YYYY.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form I-912 is currently in use. Check the USCIS website for the most recent edition before filing.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date: Always use the latest version from USCIS website
- Fee: No fee to file this form itself
- Mailing address: Varies by application type and location
- Processing time: Typically several weeks to months
- Signature: Required in Section 3
- Supporting documents: Must include financial evidence
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep all original documents and a copy of your submission
- 2Monitor your case status online using your receipt number
- 3Respond promptly to any requests for additional evidence
- 4Note that fee waiver decisions may take several months
- 5If approved, continue with your application process
- 6If denied, consider alternative payment options or reapplying with stronger evidence
Sources
- SRCForm I-912 is the official USC Request for Fee Waiver form
- SRCCurrent edition date: Not found in provided source
- SRCFee waiver eligibility criteria: Based on financial hardship guidelines
- SRCProcessing time: Varies by service center and case type
- SRCMailing address: Varies by application type
- SRCSupporting documentation requirements: Financial evidence and hardship explanation
- SRCForm instructions available on USCIS website
- SRCNo fee required to file Form I-912
Common confusion points
Fee waiver vs. fee reduction
USCIS has different policies for complete waivers vs. reduced payments
→ Check which option applies to your specific case
Household size calculation
Some applicants include only themselves while others must include dependents
→ Review USCIS guidelines for household size definition
Public benefit eligibility
Receiving certain benefits automatically qualifies for fee waivers
→ Check which benefits qualify under USCIS guidelines
Hardship definition
USCIS has specific criteria for what constitutes financial hardship
→ Document expenses that exceed income
Timing of submission
Some must submit with initial application, others can submit later
→ Check your specific form instructions
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
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