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Guide · Fees

USCIS Filing Fees Explained

What you pay when filing a USCIS form — and what happens if you pay the wrong amount.

Clay stack of coins beside a fee receipt, illustrating USCIS filing fees

What is a USCIS filing fee?

Most USCIS forms require a filing fee — payment made directly to USCIS to process your application or petition. The fee is set by law and updated periodically through federal rulemaking. As of April 1, 2024, USCIS implemented a new fee schedule that significantly raised fees for many forms compared to the prior schedule.

The April 2024 fee schedule

USCIS published an updated fee schedule in Form G-1055, effective April 1, 2024. Key changes included:

  • Higher fees for many common applications (I-485, N-400, I-130, and others)
  • A new structure for asylum seekers and DACA recipients (reduced or no fees in some cases)
  • A 2.35% surcharge replacing the prior biometric fee structure for some forms
  • Elimination of the biometric services fee for most naturalization applicants

You can view the current fee schedule at uscis.gov/g-1055. Always check the form's instructions page on uscis.gov before submitting payment — fees can change, and USCIS will reject applications submitted with an incorrect fee.

Biometric services fees

Many applications require an in-person biometrics appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) — where USCIS collects your fingerprints, photograph, and signature for an FBI background check and identity verification. A biometric services fee (currently $85 for most applicants) applies to those forms.

USCIS sends a separate appointment notice (Form I-797C) for biometrics after receiving your application. Biometrics are not the same as an interview — most cases do not require an in-person interview.

How to pay correctly

Payment methods vary by form and filing method (online vs. paper). Common methods include:

  • Online filing: Debit or credit card through myUSCIS (account.uscis.gov)
  • Paper filing: Personal check, cashier's check, or money order (NOT cash) made out to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"
  • Attorney/representative filing: Must match the method specified in the form instructions

Critical: Write the check payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" — not "USCIS" or "DHS." An incorrect payee name is a common rejection reason.

What happens if I pay the wrong amount?

USCIS will reject (not deny) your application and return it without processing. You will need to resubmit with the correct fee. For most forms, the filing date is the date USCIS receives the correct fee — so an incorrect payment can delay your case by weeks.

Fee waivers (Form I-912)

If you cannot afford the filing fee, USCIS allows fee waiver requests for certain form types using Form I-912. Fee waivers are approved based on your household income and other factors. Not all forms are eligible for fee waivers. Consult an immigration attorney or accredited representative if you believe you may qualify.

Use the fee calculator

PetitionPace's fee calculator lets you add multiple forms and see the total filing and biometric fees from the 2024 schedule. Always confirm the current fee at uscis.gov before paying.