How Asylum Application Fees Work and Where to Pay Them
What the asylum fee covers and who has to pay it
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges a filing fee and a biometric services fee when you submit an asylum request through Form I-589. As of 2024, the filing fee is $50 and the biometric services fee is $85, though these amounts can change. You pay both fees together when you file your form, unless you meet the conditions for a fee waiver or reduction.
Not everyone pays the full amount. If your household income falls below a certain level — currently 200% of the federal poverty line — you can request a fee reduction or waiver using Form I-912. USCIS will review your financial documents and either reduce what you owe, waive the fees entirely, or deny the request. The decision comes back separately from your asylum decision and can take several weeks.
If you are already in the United States and file your asylum request with USCIS, you must pay the fee. If you are seeking asylum at a port of entry or through the Department of State's overseas processing, different rules may apply — contact the specific office handling your case to confirm what you owe.
Key Takeaways
- The USCIS asylum filing fee is $50 and the biometric services fee is $85, paid together when you submit Form I-589.
- You can request a fee reduction or waiver using Form I-912 if your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty line.
- Fee waivers and reductions are decided separately from your asylum case and typically take several weeks to process.
- Payment methods include check, money order, credit card, or debit card, depending on how you file your form.
- If you cannot pay the fee and do not may have access to for a waiver, your form will be rejected and returned to you.
How to pay the asylum fee when you file
The way you pay depends on how you submit your form. If you file by mail, you can send a check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" along with your completed Form I-589 and supporting documents. Write your name and date of birth on the check or money order so USCIS can match it to your case.
If you file online through the USCIS online portal (available in some locations), you can pay by credit card or debit card at the time of submission. The portal will show you the total amount due and confirm payment immediately. Keep the receipt or confirmation number — you will need it to track your case.
Do not send cash, even in a sealed envelope. USCIS will not process it, and you will not get it back. If you are mailing your form, send everything to the address listed in the Form I-589 instructions for your state — addresses vary by location.
What happens if you cannot afford the fee
If paying the full $135 would cause you financial hardship, file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver or Reduction) at the same time you file your asylum form. Include documents that show your income and expenses: recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, proof of rent or mortgage, utility bills, and any other costs you pay each month. The more detail you provide, the stronger your case.
USCIS will review your financial information and decide whether to waive the entire fee, reduce it, or deny your request. You do not have to wait for this decision to file your asylum form — you can submit both forms together. If the waiver is denied, you will receive a bill for the full amount and a deadline to pay. If you do not pay by that date, your asylum case will not move forward.
Some nonprofit organizations and immigration legal services offer fee assistance or can help you gather the documents you need for a waiver request. Contact your local legal aid office or search for "immigration legal services near me" to find organizations in your area.
Payment methods and where to send money
If you are filing by mail, your payment options are limited to check or money order. Make the check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" and include it in the same envelope as your Form I-589. Write your name and date of birth on the payment itself so there is no confusion about which case it belongs to.
If you file online, the USCIS portal accepts credit cards and debit cards. You will see the payment screen after you complete your form, and the charge will go through immediately. Keep your confirmation number — it serves as your receipt.
Do not wire money, use a money transfer service, or send payment to any address other than the one listed in the Form I-589 instructions. Scams targeting asylum seekers often ask people to wire fees to private accounts or send money to unofficial addresses. USCIS will never ask you to pay through Western Union, MoneyGram, or any third-party service.
How the fee affects your asylum timeline
Paying the fee does not speed up your asylum decision. USCIS processes cases in the order they are received, and the fee is simply a requirement to file — it does not move you ahead in the queue. However, if you do not pay the fee or do not request a waiver, your form will be rejected, and you will have to start over.
If you request a fee waiver, expect the waiver decision to take 2 to 4 weeks. During that time, your asylum case is still being processed. If the waiver is denied and you receive a bill, you typically have 30 days to pay before USCIS stops working on your case. Pay as soon as you can to avoid delays.
What to do if you lose your payment receipt
If you paid by check or money order and did not keep a receipt, contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 and provide your name, date of birth, and the date you mailed your form. They can tell you whether the payment was received and processed. If you filed online and lost your confirmation number, log back into your USCIS account — the payment confirmation is stored there.
If you believe your payment was lost in the mail, USCIS will ask you to provide proof that you sent it (such as a bank statement showing the check cleared or a money order receipt). If the payment cannot be found, you may need to send a replacement payment to avoid your case being rejected.
Fee waivers and reductions: what qualifies
To request a fee waiver or reduction, your household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. The poverty line changes each year — for 2024, 200% of the poverty line for a single person is approximately $30,000 per year, and for a family of four it is approximately $62,000 per year. These figures vary, so check the current year's poverty guidelines on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
You can also request a waiver if you receive certain public benefits: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Medicaid. If you receive any of these, include proof in your Form I-912 package — a recent benefit statement or award letter is enough.
USCIS will look at your total household income, not just your own. If you live with family members and share expenses, their income counts too. Be honest about what you earn and what you spend — USCIS compares your income to your expenses to decide whether the fee would cause hardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file my asylum form without paying the fee?
No. You must either pay the full fee or submit a fee waiver request at the same time you file. If you do neither, USCIS will reject your form and return it to you. You can file the waiver request and the asylum form together — you do not have to wait for the waiver decision.
What if I paid the fee but USCIS says they never received it?
If you mailed a check or money order, contact your bank to confirm it cleared. If it did, provide USCIS with a copy of the cleared check or money order receipt. If the payment was lost, you will need to send a replacement. If you paid online, log into your USCIS account to retrieve your confirmation number and proof of payment.
Does paying the fee mean my asylum case will be approved?
No. The fee is only a filing requirement. Paying it allows USCIS to process your case, but it does not determine the outcome. Your asylum decision is based on the evidence and testimony you provide, not on the fee.
Can I get the fee back if my asylum case is denied?
No. The fee is non-refundable, even if your case is denied. If you received a fee waiver, there is nothing to refund.
What if my income changes after I request a fee waiver?
Report the change to USCIS if it happens before they make a decision on your waiver request. If your income increases significantly, they may deny the waiver. If it decreases, it may strengthen your case. Contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to report the change.