USCIS Fee Waivers and Reductions

What If I Can’t Afford the Filing Fees?

If you can’t afford to pay your green card fees or naturalization application fees, then U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant you a fee waiver or a fee reduction.

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Fee Reduction

If you’re applying for naturalization (Form N-400), you might qualify for a fee reduction. There is currently no option to reduce the filing fee for a family or marriage green card (Form I-485), although you may qualify for a fee waiver (see below for more information about fee waivers).

To qualify for a fee reduction, your total annual household income must equal between 150% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, as listed in the following tables:

For residents of the 48 contiguous states and U.S. territories
Household Size*	150% of Poverty Guidelines	200% of Poverty Guidelines
1	$19,410	$25,520
2	$25,860	$34,480
3	$32,580	$43,440
4	$39,300	$52,400
For each additional person, add:	$6,720	$8,960
For Hawaii residents
Household Size*	150% of Poverty Guidelines	200% of Poverty Guidelines
1	$22,020	$29,360
2	$29,745	$39,660
3	$37,470	$49,960
4	$45,195	$60,260
For each additional person, add:	$7,725	$10,300
For Alaska residents
Household Size*	150% of Poverty Guidelines	200% of Poverty Guidelines
1	$23,925	$31,900
2	$32,325	$43,100
3	$40,725	$54,300
4	$49,125	$65,500
For each additional person, add:	$8,400	$11,200

Last updated January 15, 2020 (source: USCIS)

*See “Calculating household size” below to help you determine who is considered a member of your household.

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To apply for the fee reduction, you must submit Form I-942 (officially called the “Request for Reduced Fee”) with Form N-400 (“Application for Naturalization”), the reduced amount of the fees, and all supporting documentation. USCIS will not accept Form I-942 if you submit it after filing Form N-400.

Only the application filing fee will be reduced (by 50%, from $760 to $320). The biometrics fee will remain $85. Therefore, if eligible for the fee reduction, you will pay only $405. (If you’re 75 or older, however, your exemption from the biometrics fee means you’ll pay only $320.)

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Fee Waivers

To qualify for a fee waiver, you must demonstrate to the U.S. government that you can’t afford the filing fee due to one or more of the following reasons:

• Your total annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. (See the “150% of Poverty Guidelines” column in the tables above. Also see “Calculating household size” below to help you determine who is considered a member of your household).
• You have a financial hardship (such as large medical expenses or unemployment).

You may only apply for a fee waiver for certain forms and services. These include:

• Form N-400 (“Application for Naturalization”)
• Form I-485 (“Adjustment of Status”)
• Biometrics fee

Find a full list here of forms and services that qualify for a fee waiver.

To apply for the waiver, you must submit Form I-912 (officially called the “Request for Fee Waiver”) with Form N-400 (USCIS will not accept Form I-912 if you submit it after filing Form N-400) and all supporting documentation. You do not need to submit the fees associated with Form N-400.

If approved, both the application filing fee and biometrics fee will be waived, and you will pay $0.

Calculating household size

To determine your household size, count all of the following individuals:

• Yourself
• The head of your household (if not you)
• Your spouse who lives with you, if you’re married (do not include your spouse if they do not live with you or if you are separated)
• Any family members who live with you and depend on your household’s income, including:
  • Your unmarried children or legal wards under age 21 who live with you
  • Your unmarried children or legal wards between ages 21 and 24 who are full-time students and live with you when not at school
  • Your unmarried children or legal wards who are physically or developmentally disabled or mentally impaired
  • Your parents who live with you
  • Any other dependents listed on your federal income tax return or that of your spouse or head of household

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