USCIS introduces First Ever Fee Waiver Form

[Kathryn41 3,205]

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

USCIS Introduces First-Ever Fee Waiver Form

New Form Results from Extensive Collaboration with the Public

WASHINGTON—For the first time, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is introducing a standardized form for requesting waivers of the

fees charged for immigration-benefit processing. Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, will become available for use on Nov. 23, 2010 – the same day

USCIS's latest fee schedule takes effect."Our goal is to bring clarity and consistency to immigration-benefit services," said USCIS

Director Alejandro Mayorkas. "The development of the new fee waiver form reflects our commitment to making improvements through extensive

collaboration with the public."

The fee waiver form reflects significant input from stakeholders, community-based organizations, and the general public. In stakeholder meetings,

USCIS heard concerns that the absence of a standardized form led to confusion about the criteria and standards used to approve waivers.

In July, USCIS published and sought comments on a proposed form through the Federal Register,generating input from numerous interested parties.

Comments reflected applicants' past experiences in requesting fee waivers and recommended changes to the proposed form and instructions

to make them easier to understand for non-native English speakers.

The new form identifies clear requirements for documenting a fee waiver request. The form's instructions also give information on the methodology

that USCIS uses to evaluate the requests. For example, if an applicant can show that he or she is receiving a means-tested benefit and presents

evidence to document that claim, then there is no requirement to submit further evidence. USCIS will use the same methodology in reviewing all fee

waiver requests, whether submitted on the new Form I-912 or in a written statement generated by the applicant.

USCIS announced today that it is also now seeking feedback on a new guidance memorandum documenting the agency's consolidated policy

for reviewing fee waiver requests.

Stakeholders and the general public are encouraged to visit www.uscis.gov/outreach to review the new memorandum and offer their input.USCIS's

latest fee rule, which takes effect Nov. 23, 2010, expands the availability of fee waivers to several new categories. The final rule also increases fees

by a weighted average of about 10 percent, but does not increase the fee on naturalization applications.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

Last updated:11/22/2010

Edited November 23, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Fandango 1,439]

Ridiculous. If you can't afford the fee, you have no business sponsoring an immigrant.

[Geode 3]

Stakeholders? Community-based organizations? oh and, last and probably least, don't forget JQP i.e. general public

[trillium13 84]

Ridiculous. If you can't afford the fee, you have no business sponsoring an immigrant.

I have to agree. We've all had to provide proof that we can support our spouse (or whomever) fully. If you can't afford the fees, how can you be able to support your spouse?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I don't see any fee waivers available for applications that require sponsorship.

[edsperfect 25]

This waiver is specifically designed for the chgurch based charities and other agencies that bring in hundreds of aliens a year, maybe thousands. As soon as they get here the charities disregard the form 134 , send the alien to their dr. who gives the alien a letter that the alien suffers from "nerves. The alien then goes on Soc sec disability.

[TBoneTX 45,498]

This waiver is specifically designed [...] The alien then goes on Soc sec disability.

The exact statistics, please? A URL for verification?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I have to agree. We've all had to provide proof that we can support our spouse (or whomever) fully. If you can't afford the fees, how can you be able to support your spouse?

This is something to keep in mind as the entire file gets forwarded to the consulate for the interview. So you will show up at the interview with an affidavit saying "I can support this person" when they already have a form saying you can't afford the the petition fee. Let us know how that works out for you.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

This is something to keep in mind as the entire file gets forwarded to the consulate for the interview. So you will show up at the interview with an affidavit saying "I can support this person" when they already have a form saying you can't afford the the petition fee. Let us know how that works out for you.

Please read what case types are available for waiver.

If you can, that is.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

This waiver is specifically designed for the chgurch based charities and other agencies that bring in hundreds of aliens a year, maybe thousands. As soon as they get here the charities disregard the form 134 , send the alien to their dr. who gives the alien a letter that the alien suffers from "nerves. The alien then goes on Soc sec disability.

Right.

[xxtinaxx 14]

Ridiculous. If you can't afford the fee, you have no business sponsoring an immigrant.

A full time student may not qualify for affidavit of support and even afford the fee.

[AZKira 3]

I've searched the USCIS website and am not seeing answers to my questions - perhaps someone knows?

- It says to attach the I-912 request for fee waiver to the application being submitted. Would you include the check for the fees, hoping that they'll return it if they approve the I-912? Or would you leave the check out and only send it if they do not approve the I-912?

- To what number in the 1040 tax return are they matching the 150% of FPL? Total income? Adjusted gross income? Something else?

- How much extra time is the fee waiver request likely to add to the process?

Thanks!

[Robby999 1,024]

Makes sense now, I knew they would find a way for the public to pay the immigration fees!

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=50d3965468f0d210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=50d3965468f0d210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

[Robby999 1,024]

I've searched the USCIS website and am not seeing answers to my questions - perhaps someone knows?

- It says to attach the I-912 request for fee waiver to the application being submitted. Would you include the check for the fees, hoping that they'll return it if they approve the I-912? Or would you leave the check out and only send it if they do not approve the I-912?

- To what number in the 1040 tax return are they matching the 150% of FPL? Total income? Adjusted gross income? Something else?

- How much extra time is the fee waiver request likely to add to the process?

Thanks

I found this!

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4e1879bdb1c66210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=17dcb6f2cae63110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

[AZKira 3]

I think I've found the answers to my own questions.

Once source I found says NOT to include the check for the fees because if you do they'll automatically cash it. If the request for fee waiver is denied the package will be returned to you and you can then re-submit it and include the check.

For other petitions they match 125% of FPL to line 22 (total income) of the 1040. It's probably safe to assume that the request for fee waiver will match 150% of FPL to line 22 of the 1040 as well.

And, they are aiming at processing fee waiver requests within 5 days, so if they decide in favor, it should only add a week at most to the package.