Free Guide to USCIS Payment Methods and Fees

What USCIS Fees Cover and Why They Exist

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) operates differently from many government agencies because it doesn't receive tax dollars for most of its work. Instead, the organization funds itself through fees charged to people filing immigration paperwork. Understanding what these fees actually pay for helps clarify why costs vary so dramatically depending on what you're doing.

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When you pay a USCIS fee, your money goes toward processing your specific case. This includes the work of immigration officers who review your documents, conduct interviews, make decisions, and maintain the systems that track your case from start to finish. It also covers the infrastructure of USCIS offices across the country, from the buildings where interviews happen to the technology that stores your file securely.

USCIS publishes a detailed breakdown of how fees are calculated. For example, the fee for an N-400 Application for Naturalization is $610, plus a $85 biometric services fee (as of 2024). These numbers are set by USCIS and reviewed periodically. The biometric portion specifically covers the cost of taking your fingerprints, running background checks, and processing those results through federal databases.

Different forms have different costs because they require different amounts of work. A Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) costs $575 because processing it involves reviewing your immigration status, checking security databases, and producing a physical document. Compare that to a Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) at $455—a simpler process with fewer investigative steps required.

Some categories of people pay reduced fees or no fees at all. USCIS offers fee reductions for individuals whose household income falls at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, and fee waivers for those at or below 100% of the poverty line. These thresholds change annually and are based on family size.

Practical takeaway: Before sending in any payment, look up the exact fee for your specific form on USCIS.gov. Fees change periodically and vary by form type. Knowing the actual amount prevents delays caused by sending incorrect payment.

Payment Methods USCIS Actually Accepts

USCIS accepts a narrower range of payment methods than many organizations, and the method you can use depends on where you're sending your case. This guide covers the primary payment options, but the rules can vary based on whether you're submitting by mail or through an online portal.

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Check payments remain the most widely accepted method for mailed applications. When writing a check, make it payable to "USCIS" (not the Department of Homeland Security or any other variation). The amount must match exactly what USCIS specifies for your form. Underpayment causes delays; overpayment is rarely refunded in full. Always keep a copy of your cancelled check as proof of payment, especially if questions arise later about whether your case was received.

Money orders are another traditional option for mailed submissions. Some people prefer money orders because they provide a receipt at the time of purchase. Like checks, money orders should be made payable to "USCIS" and must be for the exact amount. Postal money orders and bank money orders both work, but don't use Western Union or other third-party money order services, as USCIS won't accept them.

Credit and debit cards are accepted through USCIS's online filing system (called myUSCIS) for certain forms. If you file through myUSCIS, you can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. The online system is only available for specific application types—not all immigration forms can be filed electronically, so check first. When paying by card online, USCIS uses a secure payment processor to handle your information.

Cash is generally not recommended and is typically not accepted for mailed applications. There's no way to prove payment if cash is lost in the mail, and USCIS has no record of receiving it. A handful of USCIS field offices may accept cash in person during a visit, but this is not standard practice and you should call ahead to confirm before attempting to pay this way.

Certain USCIS offices allow in-person payment at their locations during business hours. If you visit an office in person, bring the exact amount and ask what forms of payment they accept—options may include cash, check, money order, or card depending on the office. Some offices use card readers, while others may not.

Practical takeaway: Match your payment method to how you're submitting: mail a check or money order with a mailed application, or use a card through myUSCIS if you're filing online. Never send cash by mail. Keep receipts or copies for your records.

Current Fee Schedule and Recent Changes

USCIS adjusts its fee structure periodically to account for inflation and administrative costs. The most recent major fee adjustment occurred in April 2024, when USCIS raised fees across most application categories. Understanding which forms cost what—and why some costs jumped more than others—helps you budget accurately.

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Family-related immigration forms saw some of the largest increases. The I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) rose from $385 to $520. The I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) went from $715 to $1,025. These increases reflect the growing complexity of background checks and the time required to verify relationships or employment claims. Someone petitioning for a spouse, for example, now needs to budget $520 just for the petition form alone—plus additional fees if other forms are required.

Naturalization (N-400) remains one of the most frequently filed forms. The current fee is $610, plus the mandatory $85 biometric services fee, totaling $695. This makes the path to citizenship a significant financial step for many households, which is why USCIS's fee reduction and waiver programs exist. A family at or below 200% of the federal poverty line might reduce that $695 to a $280 filing fee.

Work authorization forms (I-765, I-131) saw modest increases. The I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) now costs $120 with no biometric fee if you're renewing, but costs $385 if you're applying for the first time. People waiting for their employment authorization decision often work in lower-wage jobs, so even $120 represents a meaningful cost.

Some forms have no filing fee but do require biometric services fees. The I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) costs nothing to file, but the biometric services portion is $85 if biometrics are required. This structure means people don't always face the full cost they might expect.

USCIS publishes its complete fee schedule on its website and updates it whenever changes occur. The agency typically announces fee changes several months in advance, though the effective date may vary by form type. Checking the official schedule before sending payment prevents the frustration of sending too much or too little money.

Practical takeaway: Look up your specific form's current fee on USCIS.gov before preparing your payment. Fees change periodically, and overpayment doesn't always result in a refund. Bookmark the fee schedule page if you're tracking multiple forms.

Fee Reductions and Waivers: Who Qualifies and How to Request

USCIS recognizes that immigration fees create barriers for people with limited income, which is why it offers fee reductions and waivers. The difference between the two matters: a reduction lowers your fee to a set amount, while a waiver eliminates the fee entirely. Both require you to prove your household income meets certain thresholds.

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Fee reduction applies to households earning between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty line. These thresholds change annually and depend on family size. In 2024, the poverty line for a family of four is approximately $31,200 annually. At 200% of poverty, that same family would need to earn under about $62,400 to qualify for a fee reduction. If you're in this range, USCIS typically reduces your fee by 50%. So an N-400 that normally costs $695 would cost roughly $347.

Fee waiver applies to households earning at or below 100% of the federal poverty line. For a family of four, that's roughly