Certain applicants are required to pay a filing fee for Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), but they may qualify for a fee waiver. USCIS offers guidance on how to request a fee waiver for Form I-765, providing information on the necessary documentation to support the fee waiver request and explaining the concept of a means-tested public benefit.
When applicants submit their fee waiver requests, USCIS thoroughly reviews all the evidence presented regarding their circumstances. USCIS may approve the fee waiver request if, at the time of submission, the applicant meets at least one of the following criteria and can substantiate support for at least one of those criteria:
1- The applicant, their spouse, or the head of the household living with the applicant is receiving a means-tested public benefit.
2- The applicant’s household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time of filing the fee waiver request.
3- The applicant is currently facing financial hardship that hinders them from paying the filing fee.
For more detailed information, refer to the USCIS guidance provided at https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/flyers/EAD_Fee-Waiver_F_I-765_ENG_FINAL.pdf.
Remzi Guvenc Kulen, Esq.
Kulen Law Firm, P.C.
