USCIS Seeks Comments on Unchanged Fee Waiver Form
Published Date: 7/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Homeland Security is keeping its current form for asking to waive immigration fees, with no changes. They’re asking the public to share thoughts by August 24, 2026, but this won’t cost anyone extra or change how the form works. This is just a routine step to keep the fee waiver request available and easy to use.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
USCIS Keeps Fee-Waiver Form I-912
USCIS will continue using Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) so individuals or households can ask to have immigration filing fees waived by showing they cannot pay. USCIS uses the form to collect statements and evidence, evaluates each case on its own merits, and will process the application if the fee waiver is granted.
Denial Means Refile With Fee
If USCIS does not grant the fee waiver, it will notify the applicant and instruct them to file a new application with the appropriate fee. That means applicants denied a waiver may need to pay the normal filing fee to have their application considered.
Responding Requires Time and Money
USCIS estimates the collection will generate a total annual hour burden of 653,435 hours and an estimated total annual cost burden of $2,009,461. Average time per response is about 1.0 to 1.095 hours depending on form type and mode (paper or PDFi).
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19026, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Collection of Qualitative Feedback Through Focus Groups
USCIS is keeping its focus group feedback collection going without any changes, giving the public 30 more days to share thoughts by October 19, 2026. This affects anyone interested in how USCIS gathers feedback to improve services, with no new costs or paperwork. It’s a smooth extension to keep hearing from people and making things better!
2026-18671, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker and Semiannual Report for CW-1 Employers
USCIS is extending the current paperwork for employers who hire CNMI-only nonimmigrant workers and must file semiannual reports, with no changes to the forms or rules. This means employers in the CNMI can keep using the same process without extra costs or new steps. The public can comment on this extension until November 13, 2026.
2026-18672, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
USCIS is keeping the Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers form just as it is and wants to extend its use without any changes. This affects employers and workers applying for immigrant visas, with no new costs or extra paperwork. You’ve got 60 days, until November 13, 2026, to share your thoughts or questions!
2026-18680, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition
USCIS is extending the approval for the Nonimmigrant Petition based on Blanket L Petition without making any changes. This affects companies and workers using this form to bring employees to the U.S. temporarily. You’ve got 60 days, until November 13, 2026, to share your thoughts—no new fees or extra paperwork, just keeping things rolling smoothly!
2026-18710, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Family Unity Benefits
The Department of Homeland Security is extending the current approval for the Application for Family Unity Benefits without making any changes. This means families applying to stay together can keep using the same form, and the public has until November 13, 2026, to share their thoughts. There’s no new cost or extra paperwork, just a smooth continuation of the process.
2026-18722, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Regional Center Designation; Application for Approval of an Investment in a Commercial Enterprise; Regional Center Annual Statement; Bona Fides of Persons Involved With Regional Center Program; Registration for Direct and Third-Party Promoters
USCIS is extending the approval for forms used by Regional Centers and investors without making any changes. This means folks involved in investment projects and regional center operations can keep using the same paperwork for now. Comments on this extension are open until November 13, 2026, with no new fees or time changes expected.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-14964, Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meeting
The Center for Scientific Review is holding a closed virtual meeting on August 19, 2026, to review neuroscience career development grant applications. This meeting is private to protect sensitive info like trade secrets and personal details. Researchers applying for these grants should note the date, as funding decisions could impact their projects and careers.
Next: 2026-14966, Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
The National Institutes of Health is offering a new Ebola vaccine invention for companies to license and develop quickly. This vaccine targets the Bundibugyo virus and promises fast and lasting protection, helping stop outbreaks in Central Africa. Businesses interested in licensing should act soon to bring this life-saving tech to market and can contact NIH for details.