How to Pay USCIS Fees for Immigration Forms and Services
USCIS charges fees for most immigration forms and services, and you must pay before USCIS will process your case
When you file an immigration form with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), you will owe a filing fee, a biometric services fee, or both. The amount depends on which form you are filing—an I-130 family petition costs differently than an I-485 adjustment of status application, for example. USCIS does not process your form until payment arrives and clears, so knowing how to pay, when to pay, and what happens if you cannot pay is essential to moving your case forward.
You have three main payment methods: check or money order by mail, credit or debit card online through USCIS's payment portal, or in person at a USCIS office if you are filing certain forms. The method you choose depends on which form you are filing and whether you may have access to for a fee waiver or reduction.
Key Takeaways
- USCIS fees vary by form type and range from under $100 to over $600, and you must include payment with your mailed application or pay online before filing.
- You can pay by check, money order, or credit/debit card, but the payment method available to you depends on whether you are mailing your form or filing online.
- If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a fee waiver or reduction by filing Form I-912 along with your immigration application.
- USCIS will not open your case file or begin processing until payment is received and verified, so late or missing payment delays your entire case.
- If you overpay or USCIS denies your case, you may receive a refund, but you must request it in writing within one year.
Finding the correct fee for your form
The USCIS website lists fees for every form in a table organized by form number. Start by identifying which form you need to file—for example, Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), or Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status). Then look up that form number on the USCIS fee schedule page.
Fees change periodically, usually once per year, so do not rely on a fee amount you saw months ago. Check the official USCIS fee page immediately before you prepare your payment. Some forms have both a filing fee and a separate biometric services fee; others have one or the other. The fee schedule page will tell you which applies to your form.
A few forms are free—for example, Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) filed by certain refugees or asylees, and Form I-539 filed by certain visa holders. The fee schedule will show $0.00 for these forms. Even if a form is free, you still must submit it with your application package.
Paying by mail with check or money order
If you are mailing your application to a USCIS lockbox address, you must include payment in the same envelope. Make the check or money order payable to "USCIS" (not "Department of Homeland Security" or any other name). Write your name and the form number on the front of the check or money order so USCIS can match payment to your case if it arrives separately.
Do not send cash. Cash cannot be tracked if it is lost in the mail, and USCIS will not refund it. A personal check is acceptable, but a money order is safer because it is a may provide payment and cannot bounce. You can buy a money order at most banks, post offices, grocery stores, and check-cashing services.
Include the payment in the same envelope as your completed form, supporting documents, and photos (if required). USCIS will not process your application until all three elements—the form, the documents, and the payment—arrive together. If payment arrives late or separately, your case will be delayed while USCIS locates and matches it to your file.
Paying online with a credit or debit card
Some USCIS forms can be filed online through the USCIS online filing system, and payment is made through a secure payment portal at the time you submit your form. You will need a valid credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover). The payment is processed immediately, and you will receive a confirmation number and receipt.
Not all forms can be filed online. Check the USCIS website for your specific form to see if online filing is an option. If online filing is available for your form, the USCIS website will direct you to the filing portal and walk you through the payment step.
Online payment is faster and creates an immediate record, so there is no risk of payment being lost in the mail. However, you must have internet access and a valid payment card. If you do not have either, you can still mail a check or money order.
Requesting a fee waiver or reduction
If you cannot afford the USCIS fee, you can request a waiver (complete forgiveness of the fee) or a reduction (paying a lower amount). To do this, file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver or Fee Reduction) along with your immigration application. You do not need to pay the fee upfront; instead, you submit Form I-912 and supporting documents that show your income and expenses.
USCIS will review your financial information and decide whether to grant the waiver, reduce the fee, or deny the request. If your request is denied, you will be given a deadline to pay the full fee. If you do not pay by that deadline, USCIS will reject your application.
may have access to for a waiver or reduction depends on your household income relative to the federal poverty line. The exact threshold varies by household size and changes each year. Form I-912 includes a worksheet to help you determine whether you may may have access to. You can also contact a local legal aid organization or immigration nonprofit for help completing the form.
What happens after you submit payment
Once USCIS receives your payment, it will be verified and matched to your case file. This process typically takes one to two weeks for mailed payments and is immediate for online payments. You can check the status of your case using your receipt number on the USCIS case status tool.
If payment is missing or incorrect, USCIS will send you a notice asking you to submit the correct payment within a specified time frame (usually 30 days). If you do not respond, USCIS will reject your application and return it to you. You will then need to resubmit the entire application with correct payment.
Once payment is verified, USCIS will begin processing your case. The processing time varies by form type and by the USCIS office handling your case, but you can expect it to take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Overpayment and refunds
If you accidentally send more than the required fee—for example, if you send $700 when the fee is $640—USCIS will apply the extra amount as a credit to your case or issue a refund. You do not need to do anything; USCIS will handle this automatically.
If your case is denied and you want to recover your fee, you must request a refund in writing within one year of the denial. Send a letter to the USCIS office that denied your case, include your case number and receipt number, and explain that you are requesting a refund. USCIS will review your request and send the refund to the address on file if it approves.
Common payment mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is sending payment to the wrong address. USCIS has multiple lockbox addresses depending on which form you are filing and where you live. Always check the form's instructions page for the correct mailing address before you send anything. Sending payment to the wrong address will delay your case by weeks.
Another common mistake is making the check payable to the wrong entity. Write "USCIS" on the check, not "USCIS Immigration Services," "Department of Homeland Security," or any other variation. If the payee name is wrong, the check may be rejected or delayed.
A third mistake is not including your name and form number on the check or money order. If payment arrives separately from your application, USCIS will have difficulty matching it to your case. Write clearly on the front of the check: your full name, date of birth, and the form number you are filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay USCIS fees in installments?
No, USCIS does not offer payment plans. You must pay the full fee before USCIS will process your application. If you cannot afford the full fee, you can request a fee waiver or reduction using Form I-912.
What if I send payment but USCIS says they never received it?
If you mailed a check or money order, contact your bank or the issuing entity to see if the check has cleared. If it has, ask for a copy of the cancelled check as proof of payment. Send this proof to USCIS along with a letter explaining the situation. If the check was never cashed, you may need to stop payment on the original check and send a new one.
Do I have to pay the biometric services fee if I am also paying a filing fee?
It depends on the form. Some forms require both a filing fee and a biometric services fee; others require only one. The USCIS fee schedule will show you exactly which fees apply to your form. Always check the fee schedule for your specific form before preparing payment.
Can I use a debit card to pay by mail?
No, debit cards are only accepted for online payment through the USCIS payment portal. If you are mailing your application, you must use a check or money order.
What if I file my form online but forget to pay before submitting?
The online filing system will not allow you to submit your form without completing the payment step. You will be prompted to enter payment information before your form is officially filed. If you close the browser or leave the page before payment is processed, your form will not be submitted and you will need to start over.