How much does filing the I-912 cost?

Nothing. The fee waiver request itself is free.

Can I qualify if my income is above 150%?

Yes. Receiving a means-tested public benefit, or documenting financial hardship, are routes independent of the income threshold.

What happens if the waiver is denied?

USCIS returns the application without processing it, and you must refile with payment. That is why thorough documentation matters from the start.

Does it work for citizenship?

Yes, the N-400 is waiver-eligible. And if you do not qualify for a full waiver, the $380 reduced fee has a much higher threshold.

I-912 Fee Waiver Eligibility — Cannot Afford USCIS Fees?

I cannot afford immigration fees — what are my options?

If your income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you can ask USCIS to waive the fee. Check here — and if you do not qualify, there are other routes.

Your situationPeople in your householdCount yourself and anyone who depends on you financially.Annual household income (USD)Must be documentable with tax returns, pay stubs or benefit statements.Where you live

150% threshold for your household: $23,940

Income is not the only route. Receiving a means-tested public benefit or documenting financial hardship can also qualify you.

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The income-based waiver

Form I-912 lets you ask USCIS not to charge the fee for certain filings. The most common route is income: if your annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you qualify. Filing the I-912 itself costs nothing.

There are two other routes, not just income

Many people know only the income route and rule themselves out. Two more exist:

Receiving a means-tested public benefit — such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI or TANF. If you or someone in your household receives one, you may qualify even if your income exceeds 150%.
Financial hardship — situations such as high medical bills, recent job loss or emergencies that make payment impossible. Documented case by case.

Not every fee can be waived

Worth knowing before you count on it: USCIS grants waivers only for certain forms, and some categories within a single form are excluded. The list lives in the official I-912 instructions.

The annual asylum fee, for instance, cannot be waived.

If you do not qualify for the waiver

There are middle paths worth checking before giving up:

The N-400 reduced fee, which brings citizenship down to $380 at a far more generous 400% threshold.
Nonprofits offering zero-interest loans for immigration fees.
Assistance programs run by some cities and counties.

Everything goes on paper

As with the reduced fee, an application with a fee waiver must be filed on paper. The online system does not accept the I-912.

Frequently asked questions

How much does filing the I-912 cost?: Nothing. The fee waiver request itself is free.
Can I qualify if my income is above 150%?: Yes. Receiving a means-tested public benefit, or documenting financial hardship, are routes independent of the income threshold.
What happens if the waiver is denied?: USCIS returns the application without processing it, and you must refile with payment. That is why thorough documentation matters from the start.
Does it work for citizenship?: Yes, the N-400 is waiver-eligible. And if you do not qualify for a full waiver, the $380 reduced fee has a much higher threshold.