What is Form I-912?
Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, is used by individuals applying for certain immigration benefits but cannot afford the associated fees. It helps ensure that financial constraints do not prevent someone from seeking crucial services, like applying for a green card or citizenship. By submitting this form, applicants can request a waiver, allowing them to access vital immigration processes without the cost burden. Understanding how to fill out this form correctly is essential for those in need of assistance.
What is Form I-912 used for?
Form I-912 is used by individuals to request a waiver of certain immigration application fees. Here's what it's for:
- to request a fee waiver for immigration benefits.
- to demonstrate financial need for the waiver.
- to apply for various forms and petitions with USCIS.
Important: As of July 4, 2025, certain immigration forms carry mandatory fees under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.-1, Pub. L. 119-21) that cannot be waived. If your application is subject to these fees, you must pay the mandatory fee even if your Form I-912 fee waiver is approved for the separate DHS regulatory fee. Check the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055) for current details.
How to fill out Form I-912
1. Select your basis for the request (Part 1):
Check at least one box: (A) receiving a means-tested benefit, (B) household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or (C) financial hardship. You only need to qualify under one basis, but you may select more than one. Each basis you select requires its own supporting documentation.
2. Provide your personal information (Part 2):
Enter your full name, other names used, A-Number (if any), USCIS online account number, date of birth, Social Security number, marital status, and immigration status. If you are a parent or legal guardian filing on behalf of a child or person with an impairment, provide that person's information — not your own.
3. List the applications requesting a fee waiver (Part 3):
Enter the form numbers, full names, A-Numbers, dates of birth, and relationships for every family member whose applications you want covered. One Form I-912 can cover multiple applications filed at the same time.
4. Complete Part 4 if you selected Basis A (means-tested benefit):
List the name of each person receiving the benefit, the relationship to you, the awarding agency, type of benefit (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP, SSI), and the dates awarded and expiring. Attach documentation such as benefit award letters.
5. Complete Part 5 if you selected Basis B (income below 150% FPG):
Enter your employment status, household size, and adjusted gross income for yourself and all household members. The total household income will be compared against the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size — check Form I-912P for current thresholds. Attach IRS tax transcripts or tax returns as evidence.
6. Complete Part 6 if you selected Basis C (financial hardship):
Describe your hardship in detail — medical debt, homelessness, natural disaster expenses, job loss, etc. List all cash and assets (excluding retirement accounts) and their values. List all monthly expenses: rent/mortgage, food, utilities, childcare, insurance, loans, medical costs, and other. Provide as much documentation as possible.
7. Sign the form (Part 7):
Read the certification carefully. Provide your phone number and email. Sign and date — USCIS will reject unsigned forms. If the requester is under 14, a parent or legal guardian signs instead.
8. Complete Parts 8–9 only if applicable:
Part 8: Required only if an interpreter helped you complete the form — the interpreter must sign.
Part 9: Required only if someone other than you prepared the form — the preparer must sign and indicate whether they are an attorney/accredited representative (may need to attach Form G-28).
Who is required to fill out Form I-912?
Form I-912 is filled out by individuals unable to pay certain USCIS filing fees. To qualify, you must meet at least one of three bases: (A) you, your spouse, or the head of your household is currently receiving a means-tested benefit, (B) your household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or (C) you are experiencing a financial hardship such as major medical debt, homelessness, or disaster-related expenses.
After completion, the form is used by applicants seeking fee waivers for USCIS applications or petitions.
When is Form I-912 not required?
Form I-912 is not necessary for applications or petitions that don't require a filing fee.
Individuals seeking Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) also do not need to submit this form. If you are applying for forms that are not eligible for a fee waiver, or if you choose to submit a written fee waiver request instead, Form I-912 is not required.
When is Form I-912 due?
The deadline for Form I-912 is at the same time as the application or petition for which you are requesting a fee waiver. It must be submitted along with the underlying application(s) and cannot be filed separately or afterward.
For example, if you are requesting a fee waiver for Form N-400, you need to submit Form I-912 together with Form N-400 and any necessary supporting documents. Always ensure that both forms are complete and submitted together to avoid processing delays.
How to get a blank Form I-912
To get a blank Form I-912, visit our website. We have a pre-loaded version ready for you to fill out and download.
This form is issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
How to sign Form I-912
To sign Form I-912, you need to use a handwritten signature — USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. If the requester is under 14 years of age, a parent or legal guardian may sign on their behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a person with a developmental or mental impairment. USCIS will reject any Form I-912 that is not properly signed.
Where to file Form I-912?
Form I-912 must be submitted together with the application or petition for which you are requesting a fee waiver — it cannot be filed separately or after the underlying application has been received by USCIS. For all eligible forms, you may mail a paper Form I-912 with your application. For certain eligible forms, you may upload a completed PDF through your USCIS online account. Send it to the address specified in the instructions for the form you are filing.
Other forms related to USCIS Form I-912
Form G-1055 – USCIS Fee Schedule
Lists the current filing fees for all USCIS forms and identifies which forms are eligible for fee waivers. Since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (July 2025) introduced additional mandatory fees that cannot be waived, this schedule is essential for understanding which portion of the fee can be waived and which must be paid.
Who uses it: Anyone preparing a USCIS application who needs to determine the correct filing fee and whether a waiver applies.
Form N-400 – Application for Naturalization
One of the most common forms filed with an I-912 fee waiver request. The naturalization filing fee can be substantial, and applicants who receive means-tested benefits or have low household income often submit Form I-912 along with it. The I-912 must be mailed together with the N-400 to the address specified in the N-400 instructions.
Who uses it: Lawful permanent residents applying for U.S. citizenship who cannot afford the filing fee.
Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Used to apply for a green card from within the United States. Fee waivers for Form I-485 are limited — they are generally available only in specific humanitarian categories (such as VAWA, T visa, U visa, or Special Immigrant Juvenile cases), not for standard family- or employment-based adjustment of status applications.
Who uses it: Applicants adjusting status in eligible humanitarian categories who cannot pay the filing fee.
Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization
Requests a work permit (Employment Authorization Document). Fee waivers are available for certain I-765 categories. If you're filing I-765 together with another eligible form (like I-485), a single Form I-912 can cover both applications.
Who uses it: Individuals requesting work authorization who meet one of the three fee waiver criteria.
Form I-589 – Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
A common application filed alongside Form I-912. Asylum applicants who can't afford the filing or biometric fees may request a waiver by submitting Form I-912 with their I-589.
Who uses it: Individuals seeking asylum in the United States who meet one of the three fee waiver criteria.
Form G-28 – Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative
Required when an attorney or DOJ-accredited representative prepares or files Form I-912 on your behalf. If a preparer checks Box B in Part 9 of the I-912 (indicating they are an attorney), they may be required to submit a completed G-28 along with the fee waiver request.
Who uses it: Immigration attorneys or accredited representatives who are representing a client in the fee waiver request.
Form I-797 – Notice of Action
The official USCIS notice you receive after submitting Form I-912. If your fee waiver is approved, the I-797 confirms that your application will be processed without the filing fee. If denied, the notice explains why and gives you a limited period to resubmit your application with payment.
Who uses it: All Form I-912 filers — this is the USCIS response document that confirms or denies the fee waiver.
