What is i-912?
Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, is a document that allows certain applicants or petitioners for immigration benefits to request a waiver of the filing fees or biometric services fees associated with their applications or petitions. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant a fee waiver if the applicant or petitioner meets one or more of the following criteria:
- Their household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time of filing
- They are receiving a means-tested benefit from a state or federal agency
- They are experiencing a financial hardship that prevents them from paying the fee
The purpose of Form I-912 is to ensure that no one is denied access to immigration benefits due to their inability to pay. However, not all immigration forms are eligible for a fee waiver.
Who can apply for i-912?
Anyone who is applying or petitioning for an immigration benefit that is eligible for a fee waiver can apply for Form I-912. However, they must meet one or more of the eligibility criteria mentioned above. Additionally, they must provide sufficient evidence to support their claim of low income, means-tested benefit, or financial hardship.
Some examples of applicants or petitioners who may apply for Form I-912 are:
- Applicants for naturalization (Form N-400)
- Applicants for adjustment of status (Form I-485)
- Applicants for employment authorization (Form I-765)
- Applicants for temporary protected status (Form I-821)
- Petitioners for family-based immigration (Form I-130)
How to fill out i-912 in 2024?
To fill out Form I-912, you must provide information about yourself, your household size, your qualification based on income, means-tested benefit, or financial hardship, and your signature and date. You also need to attach supporting documents that verify your eligibility.
Part 1: Your Information
In this part, you must provide your details and contact information. This includes:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- Your alien registration number (A-number), if applicable
- Your mailing address
- Your phone number
- Your email address
You must also indicate which form(s) you request a fee waiver for by writing their form number(s) in the space provided.
Part 2: Your Household Size
In this part, you need to calculate your household size and income. This includes:
Section A
In this Section, you need to list yourself and all members of your household who depend on you financially. This may include:
Your spouse, Your children, Your parents, Your sibling’s Other relatives *Un
Section B
In this Section, you need to list any members of your household who do not depend on you financially but share income and expenses with you. This may include:
- Your spouse
- Your children
- Your parents
- Your siblings
- Other relatives
- Unrelated individuals
You also need to indicate their relationship to you and their income.
Section C
In this Section, you must add the total number of people in your household from sections A and B. This is your household size.
Section D
In this Section, you must add the total income of all household members from sections A and B. This is your household income.
Part 3: Your Qualification Based on Income
In this part, you must determine if you qualify for a fee waiver based on your income level. This includes:
Section A
In this Section, you must check the box corresponding to your state of residence or territory. You must also check the box that fits your household size from Part 2, Section C.
Section B
In this Section, you need to compare your household income from Part 2, Section D, with the poverty guideline for your state and household size from Section A. If your household income is at or below 150% of the poverty guideline, you qualify for a fee waiver based on income. You must check the “I qualify” box and skip Part 4 and Part 5. If your household income is above 150% of the poverty guideline, you do not qualify for a fee waiver based on income. You must check the “I do not qualify” box and proceed to Part 4.
Part 4: Your Qualification Based on Means-Tested Benefit
In this part, you need to determine if you qualify for a fee waiver based on receiving a means-tested benefit from a state or federal agency. A means-tested benefit is a public benefit that requires proof of low income or financial need as an eligibility condition. Some examples of means-tested benefits are:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
You can find more examples of means-tested benefits on the USCIS website.
Section A
In this Section, you need to check the box corresponding to each means-tested benefit you or any household member are receiving. You also need to provide the name of each recipient and their relationship to you.
Section B
In this Section, you must attach evidence showing that you or any household member currently receive each means-tested benefit you checked in Section A. The evidence must include the following:
- The name of each recipient
- The name of each benefit
- The name and address of each agency that provides each benefit
- The date or period that each benefit was granted or renewed
Some examples of evidence are:
Benefit approval letters Benefit award letters. Current eligibility notices Current benefit cards.
You can find more examples of evidence on the USCIS website.
You must check any box in Section A or attach sufficient evidence in Section B to qualify for a fee waiver based on means-tested benefits. If you checked at least one box in Section A and attached sufficient evidence in Section B, you qualify for a fee waiver based on means-tested benefits. You must check the “I qualify” box and skip Part 5. You must check the “I do not qualify” box and proceed to Part 5.
Part 5: Your Qualification Based on Financial Hardship
In this part, you must determine if you qualify for a fee waiver based on experiencing financial hardship that prevents you from paying the filing fee. Financial hardship can be caused by various factors, such as:
- Unemployment
- Homelessness
- Medical bills
- Disability
- Domestic violence
- Natural disaster
- Other extraordinary circumstances
You can find more examples of financial hardship on the USCIS website.
Section A
In this Section, you need to explain in detail why you are experiencing financial hardship that prevents you from paying the filing fee. You need to provide specific information such as:
- The date or period when your financial hardship started
- The cause or reason for your financial hardship
- The impact or effect of your financial hardship on your ability to pay the filing fee
- The steps or actions you have taken or plan to take to overcome your financial hardship
You can use additional sheets of paper if necessary.
Section B
In this Section, you must attach evidence supporting your explanation of financial hardship in Section A. The evidence must show the following:
- The date or period when your financial hardship started
- The cause or reason for your financial hardship
- The impact or effect of your financial hardship on your ability to pay the filing fee
Some examples of evidence are:
Bank statements PayPay stubs Tax returns Medical bills Eviction notices Court orders Police reports
You can find more examples of evidence on the USCIS website.
If you provided a detailed explanation and sufficient evidence of financial hardship in Sections A and B, you might qualify for a fee waiver based on financial hardship. You must check the “I may qualify” box and sign and date Part 6. Suppose you did not provide a detailed explanation or sufficient evidence of financial hardship in Sections A and B. In that case, you do not qualify for a fee waiver based on financial hardship. You must check the “I do not qualify” box and sign and date Part 6.
Part 6: Signature
If you knowingly provide false information or documentation, you may face criminal penalties or denial of your application or petition. In this part, you must sign and date Form I-912 under penalty of perjury. This means you certify that all the information and documentation you provided are true and correct to the best of your knowledge.
You also need to provide your full name, mailing address, telephone number, email address (optional), Alien Registration Number (A-number) (if any), USCIS Online Account Number (if any), Date of Birth, Country of Birth, and Country of Citizenship.
If someone helped you prepare Form I-912, they must also sign and date Part 7.
Part 7: Signature of Person Preparing Form I-912
In this part, if someone helped you prepare Form I-912, they need to sign and date it under penalty of perjury. They must also provide their full name, mailing address, telephone number, email address (optional), and relationship to you. This means they certify that they prepared Form I-912 at your request based on your provided information and documentation.
Suppose they are an attorney or accredited representative. In that case, they also need to provide their firm name and address, their USCIS Online Account Number (if any), and their Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative (Form G-28) (if any).
They must also provide their organisation name and address if they are not an attorney or accredited representative but charge a fee for their service.
Part 8: Additional Information
In this part, you can provide any additional information that you want USCIS to consider when reviewing your request for a fee waiver. You can use additional sheets of paper if necessary. You must also indicate your full name and A-number (if any) on each sheet.
How to File Form i-912
To file your completed Form i-912, attach it and all supporting documentation to the application or petition for which you request a fee waiver. For example, if you request a fee waiver for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, you must mail your Form N-400, Form I-912, and supporting documentation to the address listed in the Form N-400 Instructions.
- You can find the mailing addresses for applications and petitions on the USCIS website.
- You must file Form I-912 with your application or petition. You cannot file it separately or after you have filed your application or petition.
- You must file only one Form I-912 per application or petition. If you are filing multiple applications or petitions simultaneously, you must file a separate Form I-912 for each one.
- You must file an original signed Form I-912. USCIS will not accept photocopies or faxes.
How USCIS Reviews Your Request for a Fee Waiver
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Your request for a fee waiver will be evaluated by USCIS, who will carefully examine the information and documentation you submitted along with Form I-912. In addition to this, USCIS will also verify your eligibility for any means-tested benefit you may have claimed with the relevant agency.
If you meet the requirements, USCIS will grant your request for a fee waiver.
- You qualify based on income
- You qualify based on means-tested benefit
- You may qualify based on financial hardship, and USCIS determines that paying the filing fee would cause significant financial hardship
USCIS will deny your request for a fee waiver if:
- You do not qualify based on income.
- You do not qualify based on means-tested benefits.
- You do not qualify based on financial hardship.
- You did not provide sufficient information or documentation to support your request.
- You did not sign Form I-912.
- You filed Form I-912 separately or after you filed your application or petition.
- You filed more than one Form I-912 for the same application or petition.
- You filed a photocopy or fax of Form I-912.
Once you’ve submitted your request for a fee waiver to USCIS, the agency will notify you of their decision to approve or deny your request. If USCIS approves your request, your application or petition will be processed without the need for a filing fee. However, if USCIS denies your request, you must resubmit your application or petition with the appropriate fee.
If you find yourself in a situation where you disagree with USCIS’s decision to deny your request for a fee waiver, you do have options. Specifically, you can file a motion to reopen or reconsider with USCIS within 30 days of receiving the denial notice. You must explain why you believe USCIS made an error in denying your request and provide any additional information or documentation that supports your claim. You must also pay a filing fee for the motion unless you request and qualify for another fee waiver.
Tips for Filing Form i-912
Here are some tips to help you file Form I-912 successfully:
- Read the instructions carefully and follow them exactly.
- Complete all parts of Form I-912 that apply to you and leave no blanks.
- Provide clear and detailed explanations and evidence for each part that applies to you.
- Use additional sheets of paper if necessary and indicate your full name and A-number (if any) on each sheet.
- Sign and date Form I-912 under penalty of perjury.
- Attach Form I-912 and all supporting documentation to your application or petition before mailing them to USCIS.
- Keep copies of Form I-912, your application or petition, and all supporting documentation for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions About Form I-912
Here are some common questions and answers about Form I-912:
What is the purpose of Form I-912?
Form I-912 requests a fee waiver for certain applications and petitions filed with USCIS. A fee waiver means you do not have to pay the filing fee for your application or petition if USCIS approves your request.
Who can file Form I-912?
You can file Form I-912 if you are unable to pay the filing fee for your application or petition because of one of the following reasons:
- When filing, your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- You receive a means-tested benefit such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, TANF, etc.
- You have a financial hardship that prevents you from paying the filing fee.
To apply for an immigration benefit, you must file Form I-912 along with your application or petition. Filing the form separately or after submitting your application or petition is not allowed. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you file Form I-912 correctly and on time with your application or petition.
What applications and petitions are eligible for a fee waiver?
Not all applications and petitions filed with USCIS are eligible for a fee waiver. You can find a list of eligible applications and petitions on the USCIS website1 or in the Form I-912 Instructions.
Some examples of eligible applications and petitions are:
- Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
- Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship
- Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
- Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status
- Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Some examples of ineligible applications and petitions are:
- Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
- Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
- Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
How do I prove my income level?
You can prove your income level by providing copies of any of the following documents:
- Federal tax returns or transcripts for the most recent year
- Wages and tax statements (Form W2) or pay stubs for the most recent three months
- Bank statements or other financial records for the most recent three months
- Other evidence of income include Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, child support, alimony, etc.
You must provide proof of income for yourself and all members of your household who contribute to your income or expenses. A household member is anyone who lives with you and shares income and expenses with you, such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, relative, or roommate. You must also provide proof of any dependents you claim on your tax return.
How do I prove that I receive a means-tested benefit?
You can prove that you receive a means-tested benefit by providing copies of any of the following documents:
- A letter or notice from the agency that provides the benefit showing your name and address and indicating that you are currently receiving the benefit
- An electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card showing your name and account number
- A printout from an online account showing your name and current benefit status
- Other evidence of receiving a means-tested benefit include a Medicaid card, SNAP card, SSI award letter, TANF check stubs, etc.
To have your fee waived, you need to furnish evidence of receiving a means-tested benefit for yourself and all the members of your household who receive it. Furthermore, specify the application or petition for which you’re requesting a fee waiver on every document.
How do I prove that I have financial hardship?
If you apply for certain forms and services with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you may be eligible for a fee waiver. Here’s what you need to know about qualifying and applying for a fee waiver:
Eligibility for a Fee Waiver
To qualify for a fee waiver, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- You receive a means-tested benefit.
- You have a financial hardship that prevents you from paying the fee.
Forms and Services Eligible for a Fee Waiver
A list of eligible forms and services for a fee waiver is available on the USCIS website or in 8 CFR 103.7 © (3).
How to Apply for a Fee Waiver
You can apply for a fee waiver by either filling out Form I-912 and submitting it with your application or petition or writing a letter requesting a fee waiver and providing supporting evidence. Your request must include your name, date of birth, mailing address, phone number, email address, receipt number (if any), and Alien Registration Number (if any).
Evidence Needed for a Fee Waiver Request
The evidence needed for your fee waiver request depends on your eligibility criteria. For example:
- If you claim income below 150% of the poverty guidelines, you may need to submit tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, etc.
- You may need to submit proof of enrollment or eligibility if you claim means-tested benefits.
- If you claim financial hardship, you may need to submit medical bills, eviction notices, unemployment benefits, etc. For more details on what evidence to submit for each criterion, see the instructions for Form I-912.
Where to Get Form I-912
You can download Form I-912 from the USCIS website or request a paper copy by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283.
Processing Time for Fee Waiver Requests
The processing time for your fee waiver request depends on several factors.
- It depends on the type of application or petition you are filing.
- It can vary depending on the service center or field office handling your case.
- The volume of requests received by USCIS can also impact the processing time.
You can check the current processing times for your form type on the USCIS website. You can also check your case status online using your receipt number.
Denial of Fee Waiver Requests
If your fee waiver request is denied, you will receive a notice explaining why and instructing you on how to proceed with your application or petition. You must pay the required fee within a specified period, or your application or petition will be rejected.
Appealing or Reapplying for a Fee Waiver
There is no appeal process for a fee waiver denial. However, you may reapply for a fee waiver if you believe you qualify and your previous request was incorrectly denied. You must submit a new Form I-912 with updated evidence and explain why you disagree with the previous decision. Alternatively, you may pay the required fee and file your application or petition without requesting a fee waiver.
