Today, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) released a revised Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. The form is used to request a fee waiver when applying for certain immigration benefits. The new form is divided into two parts: Part 1 asks for general information about the applicant, and Part 2 asks specific questions about the fee waiver request. Applicants are now required to provide their Social Security number or Alien Registration Number in Part 1. The previous version of the form did not require this information. The USCIS has also released a new Frequently Asked Questions document about the Fee Waiver Program. This document provides detailed information about who qualifies for a fee waiver, what fees can be waived, and how to apply for a fee waiver. It is important to note that the FAQs document is not meant to be used as legal guidance and that applicants should consult with an attorney if they have any questions about whether they qualify for a fee
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Form Name | Form I 912 |
Form Length | 11 pages |
Fillable? | No |
Fillable fields | 0 |
Avg. time to fill out | 2 min 45 sec |
Other names | you waiver i, uscis from download and print, instructions 912 form, instructions form 912 |
Instructions for Request for Fee Waiver |
USCIS |
Department of Homeland Security |
Form |
OMB No. |
|
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services |
Expires 09/30/2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
What Is the Purpose of Form
You may request a fee waiver if you are unable to pay the filing fees or biometric services fees for an application or
petition that is eligible for a fee waiver. When you request a fee waiver, you must clearly demonstrate that you are unable to pay the fees.
You can find the list of applications and petitions that are eligible for a fee waiver at
You do not need to submit Form
fee exemption based on your immigration status. Refer to the Instructions for each application or petition to see whether you are exempt from paying the fees.
Forms Eligible for Fee Waiver
Below is a list of applications and petitions U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will consider for a fee
waiver and the conditions that must be met to be eligible for a fee waiver. Under current fee waiver regulations, USCIS can only approve fee waivers for certain forms or certain filings of a particular form type, when fee waiver requirements
are met.
You may file this form to request a fee waiver for any of the following benefit requests or services:
1.Biometric services fee, except for the biometric services fee required for a provisional unlawful presence waiver application (Form
2.Form
3.Form
4.Form
5.Form
6.Form
7.Form
8.Form
9.Form
10.Form
A.Special Immigrant Status based on an approved Form
National employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government;
B.An adjustment provision that is exempt from the public charge grounds of inadmissibility of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 212(a)(4), such as the Cuban Adjustment Act, the Haitian Refugee Immigration
Fairness Act, continuous residence in the United States since before January 1, 1972, (“Registry”), Asylum Status,
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, or similar provisions;
Form |
Page 1 of 11 |
11.Form
12.Form
13.Form
14.Form
15.Form
16.Form
17.Form
18.Form
19.Form
20.Form
21.Form
22.Form
23.Form
24.Form
25.Form
You may also apply for a fee waiver for ANY application or petition that is related to status as a:
1.Battered spouses of A, G,
2.Battered spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen under INA section 240A(b)(2);
3.T nonimmigrant (such as Forms
4.Temporary Protected Status (such as Forms
5.U nonimmigrant (such as Forms
6.VAWA
You may not file Form
exemptions will be available in limited circumstances. See the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Fee exemption at
You do not need to file Form
applications and petitions have fee exemption requirements for certain types of applicants and petitioners. In these cases, the USCIS form and instructions will outline the fee exemption and submission if a separate Form
If your form is not listed, please see the specific form instructions for additional information or call the USCIS National
Customer Service Center at
Form |
Page 2 of 11 |
How to File Form
You must file this fee waiver request with all applications and petitions for which you are requesting a fee waiver. You do not have to file a separate Form
You may file one Form
General Instructions
USCIS provides all forms free of charge. The latest versions are available at www.uscis.gov/forms. In order to best view, print, or fill out our forms, you should use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at
get.adobe.com/reader. If you do not have Internet access or have questions about this request, you may call the USCIS
National Customer Service Center at
Signature. Each request must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this request, USCIS will not accept a
stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal guardian may sign the request on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person.
Evidence. At the time of filing, you must submit all evidence and supporting documentation required under the Specific
Instructions section of these Instructions.
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless these Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any
time during processing of an application, petition, or request. If you submit original documents when not required, the documents may remain a part of the record, and USCIS will not automatically return them to you.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and that
he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.
How To Fill Out Form
1.Type or print legibly in black or dark blue ink. If a section does not apply to you, type or print “N/A,” which stands for “not applicable.” Fully and accurately answer all questions that apply to the basis for your request.
2.If you need extra space to complete any item within this request, use the space provided in Part 11. Additional
Information. You may also attach as many separate sheets of paper as needed; type or print your name and Alien
Registration Number
Specific Instructions
Part 1. Basis for Your Request
Item Numbers 1. - 3. Select a basis for your request. You are not required to complete the entire section of this request. Rather, select one basis or more for which you may qualify and complete the corresponding section as explained below in Parts 4., 5., and 6.
Form |
Page 3 of 11 |
Part 2. Information About You (Requestor)
Item Number 1. Full Name. Provide your full name. If you have two last names, include both in the Family Name box and use a hyphen
Item Number 2. Other Names Used (if any). Provide all other names you have used, including your maiden name. Item Number 3. Alien Registration Number
Item Number 4. USCIS ELIS Account Number (if any). If you were issued a USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS) Account Number, enter it in the space provided. The USCIS ELIS Account Number is not the same as an
Item Number 5. Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy). Provide your date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format. For example, enter May 1, 1979, as 05/01/1979.
Item Number 6. U.S. Social Security Number (if any). Provide your U.S. Social Security number.
Item Number 7. Marital Status. Indicate your current marital status.
Part 3. Applications and Petitions for Which You are Requesting a Fee Waiver
Item Number 1. Complete the table for yourself and each person requesting a fee waiver with you. Provide the form numbers and the total number of applications and petitions for which you and any family members are requesting a fee waiver.
Part 4.
Item Number 1. If you, your spouse, or the head of household living with you receives a
A
Examples of
“SNAP” and formerly called Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Security
Income (SSI), among others. Consult with your
For the purposes of determining an inability to pay the filing fee of the petition or application, the following are not considered
aid.
1.Individual Receipt of a
A.The individual may demonstrate that he or she is personally receiving a
B.If a child is the sole applicant, he or she may provide an individual
C.If multiple children are filing at the same time, each child must have an individual receipt of a
Form |
Page 4 of 11 |
2.Family Members’
A.Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age living with you will normally qualify for a fee waiver as part of your household if you are receiving
B.If your spouse is receiving a
C.You may not use a
5. Income at or Below 150 Percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or under Part 6. Financial Hardship if the award letter or benefit approval document indicates the total household income.
D.If you are 21 years of age or older, you cannot use a parent’s
to support a fee waiver request in Part 5. Income at or Below 150 Percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or under Part 6. Financial Hardship if the award letter or benefit approval document indicates the total household income and you are otherwise eligible under those criteria.
3.Documentation
A.To qualify for a fee waiver, the evidence that you provide must demonstrate that you are currently receiving the
B.Documentation must contain:
(1) Your name (or the name of the person receiving the benefit);
(2) The name of the agency granting the public benefit;
(3) The type of benefit; and
(4) An indication that the benefit is currently being received (for example, a recently dated letter or document with effective dates, date of renewal or period the approval ends, if available).
C.If the documentation is more than 12 months old and the benefit is still being received, provide additional evidence that shows the benefit is currently being received.
Part 5. Income at or Below 150 Percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
To qualify for the fee waiver, your household income must be at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines,
at the time of filing, based on your household size. The Federal Poverty Guidelines are established by the Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Services annually. To obtain information on the current Federal Poverty Guidelines, visit our Web site at
Your Employment Status
Item Number 1. Employment Status. Indicate your current employment status. If you are both employed and a student, select Other and provide an explanation.
Item Number 2. Indicate if you are currently receiving unemployment benefits. If applicable, provide the date that you became unemployed and include the total amount of unemployment benefits you have received in Item Number 7.
Information About Your Spouse
Item Number 3. Indicate whether your spouse is living with you. If your spouse lives with you, list your spouse in the table provided in Item Number 4. If applicable, indicate whether your spouse provides any financial support to your household. If your spouse provides any financial support to your household, include any contributions that your spouse
provides to your household in Item Number 7.
Form |
Page 5 of 11 |
Your Household Size
Item Number 4. Indicate whether you are providing the primary financial support for your household.
Complete the table with the information requested about the members of your household including their names, dates of birth, relationship to you, whether the person is married, whether the person is a
For the last column (Is any income earned by this person counted towards the household income?), select yes if income is received consistently or regularly as wages or salary from these household members’ employment or business.
At the end of the table, provide the total number of household members. Include the following people, who are dependent on your income, your spouse’s income, or the head of household’s income, as part of your household size:
1.You;
2.The head of your household (if not you). If the child is applying individually, provide the information of the primary custodial parent;
A.You are the head of household if you filed the most recent Federal tax return for your household (includes filing as head of household) or earned the majority of the income for your household.
B.If you are not the head of household, the head of household is the person who filed the most recent Federal tax return on which you are listed as a dependent or the person who provides the majority of your household’s income. If you already have or are applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification, do not include any foster or group home household members.
3.Your spouse, if living with you (if you are separated or your spouse is not living with you, do not include your spouse); or
4.Any family members living in your household who are dependent on your income, your spouse’s income, or the head of household’s income, including:
A.Your children or legal wards who are unmarried and under 21 years of age, and who live with you;
B.Your children or legal wards who are unmarried, are over 21 years of age but under 24 years of age, are
C.Your children or legal wards who are unmarried and for whom you are the legal guardian because they are
physically or developmentally disabled or mentally impaired to the extent that they cannot adequately care for themselves and cannot establish, maintain, or
D.Your parents who live with you; and
E.Any other dependents listed on your Federal tax return or your spouse or head of household’s Federal tax returns.
Your Annual Household Income
Item Number 5. Your Annual Income. Provide information on your annual income. If you filed a Federal tax return,
enter the amount from Line 37 (adjusted gross income) on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1040, U.S. Individual
Income Tax Return. If you have not filed a Federal tax return, take your total household wage income (before any deductions) for the previous
Documentation. To document your annual income, provide the following information:
1.A copy of your most recent Federal tax return;
2.If you did not file a Federal tax return, or if your Federal tax return does not properly reflect your current income,
submit copies of consecutive pay statements (stubs) for a minimum of the past month, recent Form
Form
Form |
Page 6 of 11 |
3.If you are a student and not living with your parents or are not claimed as a dependent on your parents’ Federal tax return, do not include your parents’ incomes. You should only provide proof of your income or documentation that shows you are not required to file a Federal or state tax return, such as proof that you are a
4.If you are recently unemployed, and your annual income on your Federal tax return or other proof of income is above
150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, describe your particular situation that you believe qualifies you for a fee waiver in Part 5., Item Number 9. Provide information regarding any unemployment benefits you are currently receiving;
5.If you do not have any income, financial support, or cannot provide evidence of income, describe your particular situation that you believe qualifies you for a fee waiver in Part 5., Item Number 9. If available, you may submit affidavits from, for example, religious institutions,
6.If you are filing Form
Item Number 6. Annual Income of All Household Members. Provide the annual income from all family members
counted as part of your household.
1.If a person lives with you, but does not contribute financial support to your household, then you should not include this person’s income when calculating your household income.
2.If you are separated or still married, but do not live with your spouse, do not include your spouse’s income. However, you must include any financial support your spouse provides to your household in Item Number 7.
3.If you are applying for any immigration benefits (such as for adjustment of status) based on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), or T or U nonimmigrant status under the Victims of Violence and Trafficking Protection Reauthorization Act, do not provide your spouse’s income.
4.If you are a
5.If members of your household are recently unemployed, and your annual household income on your Federal tax return
or other proof of income is above 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, describe your particular situation that you believe qualifies you for a fee waiver in Part 5., Item Number 9.
Documentation. To document your household members’ incomes, provide the following:
1.A copy of each household member’s most recent Federal tax return;
2.If the household member did not file a Federal tax return, or if the tax return does not properly reflect their current
income, submit copies of consecutive pay statements (stubs) for a minimum of the past month, a recent Form
Form
3.If you do not have any income or cannot provide evidence of income for your household, describe your particular situation in Part 5., Item Number 9. If applicable, you may submit affidavits from religious institutions,
Form |
Page 7 of 11 |
Item Number 7. Total Additional Income or Financial Support. Provide additional income or financial support from
a source outside your household. Type or print “0” if you have no additional income. You must include any consistent or
regular financial support or additional income contributed to your household by any person living with you or not living
with you, even if it is not part of the household for tax purposes.
Select any type of additional income you are receiving including any amount of money that you receive annually that is not included in Item Number 5. or 6.
Documentation. You must document additional financial assistance as income. Include the following information:
1.Documentation such as parental support; alimony; child support; educational stipends; pensions; Social Security; royalties, pensions, veterans benefits; unemployment benefits; and consistent or regular financial support from adult children, parents, dependents, or other people living in your household.
2.A court order of any child support or documentation that indicates the actual amount of child support amount being
received (for example, bank statements or IRS Form
3.If you are receiving unemployment benefits, the tax document, IRS Form
Item Number 8. Total Household Income. Provide the total household income. Add the amounts from Item Numbers 5., 6., and 7. USCIS will compare this amount to the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If you do not have any income, financial support, or cannot provide evidence of income, describe your particular situation that you believe qualifies you for a fee waiver in Part 5., Item Number 9. If applicable, you may submit affidavits from religious institutions,
Item Number 9. Indicate whether any information (including marital status, income, and list of dependents) in your Federal tax returns is different from what you indicate in Form
Additional Information.
Part 6. Financial Hardship
Item Number 1. Provide details about your financial hardship. This may include, but is not limited to, medical expenses
of family members, unemployment, eviction, and homelessness. You may also complete this section if your income is above 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as defined in Part 5. and you believe you have special circumstances
that warrant a fee waiver.
Documentation. You must document your income and provide a complete list, description, and an estimate of the value of your assets that you can easily convert into cash and any liabilities.
Item Number 2. List the types of assets you have, the dollar value of those assets, and the total dollar value of your assets.
Include the following assets:
1.Cash, checking and savings accounts, annuities, stocks, and bonds. These are assets that easily covert into cash; and
2.Other property or assets that you can easily convert into cash without incurring a hardship.
Do not include your pension plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA).
Documentation. Provide documentation of your income and any evidence regarding the types and value of your assets.
Item Number 3. Total Monthly Expenses and Liabilities. Provide your average monthly costs for all applicable
categories provided.
Form |
Page 8 of 11 |
Documentation. Provide evidence, where possible, such as copies of monthly bills and payments, and documentation for
monthly expenses and any extenuating circumstances, such as medical bills. If you cannot provide evidence of income, you may submit affidavits from religious institutions,
Part 7. Requestor’s Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature
Item Numbers 1. - 6. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you read this request yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. If someone assisted you in completing the request, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Further, you must sign and date your request and provide your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if any), and email address (if any). Every request MUST contain the signature of the requestor (or parent or legal guardian, if applicable). A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.
Item Numbers 7. - 11. Each person applying for a fee waiver must sign and date Form
his or her behalf. USCIS will reject any Form
Part 8. Family Member’s Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature
NOTE: If the information provided by the requestor in Part 7. is not applicable to a family member identified in Part 3., (for example, the family member used a different interpreter or speaks a different language) that individual should
complete Part 8. Make additional copies of Part 8. for each family member to sign, as applicable, and include the pages with your completed Form
Item Numbers 1. - 6. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you, the family member, read this request yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. If someone assisted you in completing the request, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Further, you must sign and date your request and provide your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if any), and email address (if any). Every request MUST contain the signature of the requestor (or parent or legal guardian, if applicable). A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.
Part 9. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature
NOTE for Family Members: If you used a different interpreter than the one used by the requestor, make additional
copies of Part 9., provide the following information, and include the pages with your completed Form
Item Numbers 1. - 9. If you used anyone as an interpreter to read the Instructions and questions on this request to you in a language in which you are fluent, the interpreter must fill out this section, provide his or her name, the name and address
of his or her business or organization (if any), his or her daytime telephone number, his or her mobile telephone number (if any), and his or her email address (if any). The interpreter must sign and date the request.
Part 10. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Request, if Other Than the Requestor
NOTE for Family Members: If you used a different preparer than the one used by the requestor, make additional copies
of Part 10., provide the following information, and include the pages with your completed Form
Form |
Page 9 of 11 |
Item Numbers 1. - 10. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your request, if other than you, the requestor. If the same individual acted as your interpreter and your preparer, that person should complete both Part 9. and Part 10. If the person who completed this request is associated with a business or organization, that person should complete the business or organization name and address information. Anyone who helped you complete this request MUST sign and date the request. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. If the person who helped you prepare your request is an attorney or accredited representative, he or she may be obliged to also submit a completed Form
Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney In Matters Outside the Geographic Confines of the United States, along with
your request.
Part 11. Additional Information
Item Numbers 1. - 6. If you need extra space to provide any additional information within this request, use the space
provided in Part 11. Additional Information. If you need more space than what is provided in Part 11., you may make copies of Part 11. to complete and file with your request, or attach a separate sheet of paper. Include your name and
We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed request to review in the future
and for your records.
What Is the Filing Fee?
There is no filing fee for Form
Where To File?
Mail your Form
Processing Information
Decision. The decision on Form
waiver. USCIS will notify you of the decision in writing. If USCIS denies your fee waiver request, the notice will include information on resubmitting your application or petition. For certain immigration benefits, you may have only a limited period of time in which to resubmit your application or petition with the proper filing fee. Please review the Instructions for the application or petition for which you want USCIS to consider a fee waiver to determine when to refile.
Penalties
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form
will deny your fee waiver request and may deny any other immigration benefit. In addition, you may face severe penalties
provided by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
Form |
Page 10 of 11 |
USCIS Privacy Act Statement
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this request, and the associated evidence, is collected under the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 286, and 8 CFR 103.7(c).
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this request is to determine if you have established eligibility for the immigration benefit for which you are filing. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will use the information you provide to grant or deny the immigration benefit you are seeking.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision in your case or result in denial of your request and rejection of your application or petition based on
ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this request with other Federal, state, local, and
foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices
-Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records] which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
Paperwork Reduction Act
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 1 hours and 10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the request, preparing statements, attaching necessary
documentation, and submitting the request. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 Capitol Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD
Form |
Page 11 of 11 |