Complete Guide to Form I-912 Fee Waiver Request (2023)

Application fees can quickly add up throughout the immigration process, and for those facing financial difficulties, this can be a barrier to getting to the United States. Fortunately, if you qualify under the USCIS requirements, there is a way to avoid some of the service fees. This page tells you more about the Form I-9129 Fee Waiver, which will waive immigration form application fees if accepted by the USCIS.

What is the Fee Waiver Form I-912?

The I-912, Application for Fee Waiver, is the form you must submit to the USCIS to determine if you are eligible for an application fee waiver. In some cases, USCIS will also accept a letter detailing the waiver request along with supporting evidence. If your application is approved by USCIS, you do not need to pay filing fees and your application will be processed. However, if it is denied, you will receive a letter from the USCIS that you must pay the fee in order for your application to be processed.

Learngreen cards familiares.

Who is entitled to the fee waiver?

To be eligible for the fee waiver and get your I-912 approved, you must demonstrate the following:

1. You or your spouse are the head of household and are currently receiving a means-tested benefit (e.g., Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, Housing Benefit, Employment Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, etc.)
2. Your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time of filing.
3. You are facing a financial emergency (which you can prove) such as B. unexpected medical expenses.
4. The form for which you are requesting a fee waiver is listed below.

I-912 processing time

I-912 processing time isbetween 1 – 4 weeks🇧🇷 However, your waiting time largely depends on the workload of the immigration system. For example, COVID-19 related waste has increased the total time required to process today. After reviewing your fee waiver request along with your supporting documents, USCIS will contact you with a request or denial. If they approve your request, you don't need to do anything else. However, if they deny your request, you will be given instructions on next steps, including paying the associated form fees.

discover aboutProcessing times for family green cards.

What are resource-proven benefit programs?

Means-condition benefits are government (federal, state, or local) benefits provided based on a person's financial income. Below are some examples of resource-tested programs that USCIS will consider for fee-waiver eligibility. If you receive benefits not specifically listed below, you can provide details on Form I-912, including the website/contact information for the organization providing the benefit.

To be eligible for the fee waiver, you must prove that you arefor a whilereceive these benefits. This evidence can be a notification, letter or other official document that includes your name, the entity distributing the benefit, the specific type of benefit and the indication that you are currently receiving it (grant date, renewal date, etc.). .) It is not sufficient to simply mail the benefits card to the USCIS unless you include all of the above information. The same information must be submitted if you are filing Form I-912 on behalf of a child or minor. If you are filling out the waiver for your child, you will need to verify the parental relationship, for example. B. in the form of a copy of the birth certificate.

Learn more aboutApplication process for family green cards.

If your spouse receives means check benefits, you can use them to qualify for the fee waiver if you live in the same household and are not legally separated. The same applies if you have a child under the age of 21. You can qualify for the fee waiver using your resource-proven benefits. The reverse is not true if your child is receiving means condition benefits and you are trying to use them to qualify for the fee waiver. However, USCIS will review all information and make the final decision.

We will not approve your request under option 1 ofPart 1. Basis for the orderon Form I-912 based solely on your child's means-tested benefit.

-USCIS

Also, a minor's benefits cannot be used by anyone else to qualify for Part 5. Family members can use the document to apply for a fee waiver under "Part 5. Income 150 percent or less givesFederal Poverty Guidelines' or 'Part 6. Financial Difficulties'.

I-912 instructions

There are seven different sections to complete the I-912. Below, we've detailed instructions for completing each section.

1. basis for your order
2. Information about you (asker)
3. Applications and petitions for which you are requesting a fee waiver
4. Resource-proven benefits
5. Income equal to or less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
6. Financial difficulties
7. Applicant and family member statement, contact information, certification and signature
8. Interpreter contact details
9. Certification and Signature
10. Contact information, statement and signature of the person preparing this application, if not the applicant

Part 1: Basis for your order

In the first section, you will be asked to select the category that best fits your financial circumstances to qualify. While it is not necessary to select more than one, you can tick several when describing your situation and providing supporting documentation for each base. USCIS requires that only one base be selected and seconded for your waiver to be approved.

Important: All documents sent in a foreign language must have a fully translated version into English and the translator must sign a certification that the translation is complete and correct.

Part 2: Information about you (asker)

The second section asks for information about who is requesting the fee waiver. If you are submitting the waiver to yourself, complete the sections for your name, alien registration number, date of birth, social security number, marital status, and online USCIS account number (if you applied or applied for it online). line, you will be given an account number, but if you haven't submitted anything online, ignore this). If you are the parent or legal guardian filling out the form on behalf of a child, please enter the information in this section.

Part 3: Applications and petitions for which you are requesting a fee waiver

In section three, you will be asked to provide the form number of the application or petition for which you are requesting a fee waiver. The form number can be in the upper right and lower left corner of each form. See above for a complete list of eligible fee waiver requests/petitions.

Part 4: Feature-proven benefits

If you, your spouse or the head of household currently receive any of the means-tested benefits mentioned in the previous section of this post, please use this section to identify the agency providing the benefit, the type of benefit, the date it was awarded and the name of the recipient. If you are completing this form on behalf of your child or someone with a disability, please indicate what benefits your child receives.

Part 5: Income equal to or less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

This section is very easy; Check your employment status (employed, unemployed, retired, other). If you are unemployed, in question 2 you will be asked to indicate the date you became unemployed and whether you are receiving unemployment benefits. Questions 3 and 4 ask for information about your spouse and the size of your family, as well as the annual family income of everyone in your household. If you are applying for the income-based exemption below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and your spouse lives abroad and contributes to your family, "add your spouse's contributions to the 'Total Additional Income or Financial Support' section. If if your expatriate spouse is unemployed and supported by you, indicate this on the form. If your spouse lives abroad and does not support your family, include a statement explaining the situation.”

Part 6: Financial Difficulties

If you indicated in Section 1 of the form that you are experiencing financial difficulties, in Section 6 explain your current financial situation that has resulted in debt, loss, homelessness (if applicable) or eviction, etc.

If you cannot provide evidence of financial hardship, please include a description of why you cannot provide evidence. It is always advisable to include a statement from a respected member of your community who knows you and can provide more information about your situation.

(Video) How to request a FEE WAIVER FORM I-912 For Immigration forms When You're unable to pay

-USCIS

The second question in Section 6 asks you to list all the assets you own that can be quickly converted into cash (eg bank accounts, stocks, bonds).Do not list retirement accounts.The last question in this section asks about the total monthly expenses and liabilities you incur.

Part 7 and 8: Claimant and Family Member Affidavit, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

Anyone requesting a fee waiver must complete, sign and date the form. Furthermore, you must certify that the submitted documents are exact and genuine photocopies. If an interpreter has completed the form, he must be identified by name in this section of Part 9 and certify that he has used the information provided to him.

Part 9: Interpreter contact details, certification and signature

If an interpreter was used to complete the fee waiver application, please indicate this in this section. Include full name, company or organization name, address and contact information. They must also confirm and sign that they are fluent in English and understand all questions asked.

Part 10: Contact information, statement and signature of the person preparing this application, if not the applicant

If someone other than a translator completed the form at the request of the fee waiver, their information should be included in this section. You must also sign and certify the word.

How to submit the I-912 form

The fee waiver request and petition must be submitted together, and this includes cases where you have applied for a fee waiver on more than one form (you only need to fill out one I-912).

Form I-912 must be completed in full with all supporting evidence and attached to the application/petition for which you are requesting the fee waiver. Do not submit Form I-912 without the completed petition for which you are requesting a waiver; Also, do not submit Form I-912 after submitting your completed petition/application. Failure to send the documents together may result in the application for fee exemption being rejected.

Forms Eligible for Fee Waiver

The following applications/petitions are eligible for the fee waiver. Please note that you do not need to complete Form I-912 for any application or petition that does not have an initial filing fee.

• I-90, Application for Replacement Permanent Resident Card
• I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Workers, only if applying for E-2 CNMI Investor Non-Immigrant status under 8 CFR 214.2(e)(23).
• I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status🇧🇷 This only applies if you are applying for LPR status based on:
  • A category exempt from the inadmissibility of public prosecution under Section 212(a)(4) of Cuba's Accommodation Act, the Immigration Justice Act for Haitian Refugees;
  • Lived permanently in the United States before January 1, 1972
  • Have asylum status or special status as a young immigrant or similar category
• Biometric service fee (except for the biometric service fee required forForm I-601A Request for Provisional Waiver of Unlawful Presence
• I-131, Travel Document Application(only when applying for parole on humanitarian grounds)
• I-191, Application for Pre-Authorization to Return to Non-Abandoned Residence
• I-192, Application for Preauthorization to Enter as a Nonimmigrant(only if you are exempt from public accusations of inadmissibility)
• I-193, Passport or Visa Waiver Application(only if you are exempt from public accusations of inadmissibility)
• I-290B, Appeal or Request Letter(only if the underlying application is exempt, waived, or eligible for exemption)
• I-539, Application for Extension/Change of Nonimmigrant Status(only if you are claiming benefits under Section 245(l)(7) of the INA or are applying for E-2 CNMI nonimmigrant status under 8 CFR 214.2(e)(23))
• I-601, Motion to Waive Grounds of Inadmissibility(only if you are exempt from the grounds of inadmissibility of public prosecution in Section 212(a)(4) of the INA)
• I-694, notice of appeal against decisionPursuant to Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (only if the underlying application was exempted, waived, or eligible for the exemption)
• I-751, Motion to Waive Residency Requirements
• I-765, Work Permit Application, unless filed under category (c)(33), Delayed Child Arrival Claim
• I-817 Application for Family Reunion Benefits
• I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status
• I-881, Request for Stay of Deportation or Special Rule Annulment of Deportation
• N-300, Request to present a letter of intent
• N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings
• N-400, application for naturalization
• N-470, Application for Preservation of Residence for Naturalization Processes
• N-565, Request for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Document
• N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship
• N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificateaccording to § 322

Additionally, you may receive a fee waiver for applications/petitions related to your status as follows:

• Battered spouse of an A, G, E-3, or H nonimmigrant (i.e., Forms I-485, I-601, andI-212)
• Battered spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident or US citizen pursuant to INA 240A(b)(2)
• T Nonimmigrants (i.e., Forms I-192, I-485, and I-601)
• Recipients of Temporary Protection Status (e.g., Form I-131, I-821, I-601)
• U Nonimmigrants (i.e. Forms I-192, I-485,I-929)
• VAWA self-applicants (i.e. Forms I-485, I-601, and I-212)

You cannot file Form I-912 when applying for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) consideration. There are no fee waivers for DACA. Fee waivers are possible under certain circumstances. see theDeferred action for child arrival fee exemptionfor more details.

Form I-912 Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the I-912.

Could the fee waiver request affect your current immigration status?

USCIS does not consider whether you are inadmissible or deportable in public process when determining your fee waiver request. Deciding whether to grant you immigration benefits (such as gaining a green card at a later date) is an entirely different decision than allowing or denying the fee waiver. With that in mind, the USCIS clarifies that "depending on the totality of the circumstances, your eligibility for some immigration benefits may be affected if you rely primarily on public cash benefits for income support."

Where should I submit Form I 912?

You must send all of your requests/petitions, including Form I-912, to the USCIS office identified in the form's specific instructions. For example, if you are requesting a Form I-90 fee waiver, send the completed package to USCIS P.O. Box 21262 Phoenix, AZ 85036 when shipped via USPS.

Who is entitled to the fee waiver?

Individuals with household incomes of 150% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (at time of filing), individuals (or their spouses) receiving a means-condition benefit, or in qualifying financial hardship are eligible for the fee waiver for the forms listed in the section above.

Can I file the I-912 online?

The USCIS does not allow you to file online if you are applying for a fee waiver. You must submit paper copies of Form I-912 and the form for which you are requesting a fee waiver.

Where can I find the I-912 form?

The shape can be lightdownloadedno site do USCIS.

How much does the I-912 form cost?

Unlike many USCIS forms, there is no cost to file the I-912.

What if I don't qualify for the fee waiver?

If you do not qualify for the fee waiver because of the type of form you are submitting or your financial situation, there is another way to obtain a reduced application fee, but only for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. To get the discounted rate, you need to apply by submittingForm I-942 Reduced Fee Request(along with the form). If USCIS determines that you are eligible for the reduced filing fee, you will still be responsible for paying the full fee for the biometric service.