USCIS Fee Waivers: Overcoming Immigration Processing Costs
Immigrating to the United States can be a costly affair, especially when it comes to government filing fees for immigration processing. Fortunately, if you find yourself financially constrained with limited income and assets, there is a possibility of seeking respite through a fee waiver from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to waive the Application Fees.
Eligibility for a Fee Waiver: Navigating the Options
You may be eligible for a fee waiver if you belong to one of three distinct groups. Firstly, qualifying for a fee waiver is possible if either you, your spouse, or the head of your household is receiving a means-tested benefit from the government due to a low-income status or limited assets.
Examples of means-tested benefits encompass:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – commonly known as food stamps
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Any other state or local benefits based on your income
Alternatively, a fee waiver can be granted if you can demonstrate that you are grappling with severe financial hardships that impede your ability to pay the application fee. These hardships might include:
- Accumulating medical expenses for yourself or family members
- Facing unemployment
- Dealing with eviction or homelessness
- Going through marital separation or divorce
For those with low income or even no income, there’s still hope for obtaining a fee waiver. By presenting evidence that your household’s income falls below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, you could be eligible for this financial respite. USCIS utilizes these guidelines, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to gauge an individual’s financial capacity to cover the required fees. Once you’ve furnished sufficient documentation, USCIS typically approves the request without any further information needed.
Guidelines vary based on factors such as household income, the number of people in your household, and the state of residence. To support your claim, you may be required to submit specific documents, commonly income tax returns. However, in cases where tax returns are unavailable, USCIS may consider alternative forms of documentation.
While a fee waiver is available for most types of applications, there are exceptions to keep in mind. For a definitive answer regarding your eligibility for a fee waiver or the applicability of your specific case, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation. Take a step closer to achieving your immigration goals without the burden of excessive fees.