USCIS Issues Policy Alert Regarding Fees for Submission of Benefits Requests

USCIS issued policy guidance regarding submission and acceptance of fees for immigration benefit requests. This guidance is effective December 2, 2019, and applies prospectively to fee waiver requests postmarked on or after that date.

Policy Highlights:

• Establishes the eligibility criteria for fee waivers based on inability to pay: household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or financial hardship.
• Establishes that the Request for Fee Waiver (Form I-912) must be submitted and written statements will no longer be accepted on or after December 2, 2019.
• Clarifies documentation requirements for fee waivers, including income tax transcripts.
• Clarifies that requestors seeking to waive fees for immigration benefits based on the Violence Against Women Act4 or T or U nonimmigrant status are not required to provide income documentation for the abuser or human trafficker.

Related Resources

• USCIS Updates Fee Waiver Requirements
• USCIS Announces Proposed I-912 Fee Waiver Form Revision
• USCIS Final Rule on Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds (84 FR 41292, 8/14/19)
• Tracking USCIS Policy Manual Changes