How to Pay Immigration Fees and What Each One Covers
Where Immigration Fees Go and Why They Exist
Immigration fees are charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process applications, petitions, and requests related to immigration status. These are not taxes — they are filing fees that cover the cost of reviewing your case, conducting background checks, and maintaining the system that processes your paperwork. The fee amount depends on what you are filing for: a green card application costs differently than a work permit renewal, which costs differently than a citizenship application.
USCIS sets these fees and updates them periodically. You pay the fee as part of submitting your case, and the fee is non-refundable even if your case is denied. Some people may have access to for a fee waiver or reduction based on income, which means you can request to pay less or nothing at all — but you have to ask for it when you file.
Key Takeaways
- Immigration fees are set by USCIS and vary by form type; you can find the exact amount on the USCIS website for the specific form you are filing.
- You can request a fee waiver or reduction if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, and you submit the request with your application.
- Payment methods include check, money order, credit card, or debit card, depending on how you submit your application (by mail or online).
- If you pay by check or money order and it bounces, USCIS will reject your entire application, so verify you have sufficient funds before mailing.
- Some forms have separate biometric fees in addition to the filing fee, so check the form instructions to see what you owe in total.
How to Find the Correct Fee for Your Form
The USCIS website lists fees by form number. Go to uscis.gov, search for the form you need (for example, I-485 for green card, I-765 for work permit, N-400 for citizenship), and the form page will show the current filing fee and any additional fees. Write down the exact amount — fees change, and paying the wrong amount will cause USCIS to reject your application.
Some forms have two separate fees: a filing fee and a biometric services fee. The biometric fee covers fingerprinting and background checks. If your form requires both, you must pay both. The form instructions will tell you whether biometrics apply to you. If you are unsure, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 and give them your form number — they will tell you the total amount you owe.
Paying by Mail: Check or Money Order
If you are mailing your application, you can pay by check or money order. Make the check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" — not to USCIS, not to the local office. Include it in the envelope with your application and supporting documents.
Use a money order if you are concerned about security in the mail. A check is acceptable, but if the check bounces, USCIS will reject your entire application without processing it. Verify that you have the funds in your account before you mail it. Do not send cash — it is not secure and USCIS will not accept it. Keep a copy of the front and back of the check or money order for your records.
Paying Online or Through USCIS MyAccount
If you file through USCIS MyAccount (the online portal), you can pay by credit card or debit card at the time you submit your application. The system will show you the fee before you confirm payment, so you can verify the amount. Online payment is processed immediately, and you receive a confirmation number.
Not all forms can be filed online yet — check the form page on uscis.gov to see if your form is available through MyAccount. If it is not, you must mail a paper application with a check or money order. Some forms allow you to file online but require you to mail supporting documents separately; the instructions will specify what goes where.
Requesting a Fee Waiver or Reduction
You can request that USCIS waive or reduce your fee if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. The poverty line changes each year and depends on household size. For 2024, 200% of the poverty line for a single person is approximately $29,200 per year; for a family of four, it is approximately $60,000 per year. These numbers vary, so check the current poverty guidelines on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
To request a waiver or reduction, you file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver or Fee Reduction) along with your main application. You do not pay the fee upfront — you submit the waiver request, and USCIS decides whether to grant it. If USCIS denies your waiver request, they will tell you the fee amount you owe and give you a deadline to pay. If you do not pay by that deadline, your application will be rejected.
Include documents that show your income: recent pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters, or a statement from your employer. If you receive public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF), include proof of that — it can help your waiver request. The more documentation you provide, the stronger your case.
What Happens If You Pay the Wrong Amount or Miss the Deadline
If you mail a check for less than the required fee, USCIS will reject your application and return it to you. You will have to resubmit with the correct amount. If you pay more than required, USCIS will not refund the overpayment — they will apply it to any future fees you owe them, or you can request a refund in writing, though this takes time.
If you request a fee waiver and USCIS denies it, they will send you a notice with the fee amount and a deadline to pay (usually 30 days). If you do not pay by that date, your application is rejected and you lose your place in line. You would have to start over and resubmit the entire application with payment. If you cannot pay by the deadline, contact USCIS before the deadline expires to ask about options.
Payment Methods You Cannot Use
USCIS does not accept cash, wire transfers, or electronic bank transfers (ACH) for immigration fees. They do not accept PayPal, Venmo, or other payment apps. They do not accept payments through a third party or immigration consultant on your behalf — you or an authorized representative must submit the payment with your application.
If someone offers to pay your USCIS fee for you through an unusual method, be cautious. Scams exist where people pose as immigration services and collect fees that never reach USCIS. Only pay through the official methods: check, money order, credit card, or debit card through USCIS MyAccount or the official USCIS website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my USCIS fee in installments?
No, USCIS does not offer payment plans for immigration fees. You must pay the full amount when you file. If you cannot afford the full fee, request a fee waiver or reduction using Form I-912. If your waiver is denied and you still cannot pay, you may have to delay filing until you can save the amount.
What if I mail my check and it gets lost in the mail?
Send your application by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof it arrived at the USCIS address. If your check is lost before USCIS receives it, they will reject your application for non-payment. You will have to resubmit with a new check or money order. Keep copies of everything you mail.
Do I have to pay a fee if I am filing for asylum?
No, asylum applications (Form I-589) have no filing fee. You do not pay to file for asylum, but if your asylum case is approved and you later apply for a green card, you will pay the green card fee at that time.
Can I use a credit card if I mail my application?
No, credit card and debit card payments are only accepted through USCIS MyAccount (online filing) or through the official USCIS website payment portal. If you are mailing your application, you must use a check or money order.
What if my fee waiver request is approved but then I need to file an additional form?
A fee waiver applies only to the specific form you requested it for. If you file a different form later, you must pay the fee for that form or submit a separate fee waiver request for it. Each form and each waiver request is separate.